Finland has robust statutory leave entitlements that provide employees with ample time off for rest, family care, and personal matters. Finnish employment law mandates minimum standards for annual vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, ensuring a supportive work-life balance. Understanding these regulations is crucial for employers operating in Finland to ensure compliance and attract talent.
Finnish employees are entitled to various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. The specific entitlements and regulations surrounding these leaves are detailed below, providing a comprehensive overview of the leave landscape in Finland.
Annual Vacation Leave
The Annual Holidays Act (Vuosilomalaki) governs vacation leave in Finland. Employees accrue vacation days based on their employment history.
- Accrual: Employees generally accrue 2.0 days of vacation for each month worked during their first year of employment and 2.5 days per month thereafter.
- Minimum Entitlement: This translates to a minimum of 24 vacation days per year after the first year.
- Vacation Period: Vacation is typically taken during the "holiday season" (lomakausi), which runs from May 2 to September 30.
- Winter Vacation: Employees are also entitled to "winter vacation" (talviloma), which can be taken at other times of the year.
- Vacation Pay: Employees receive their regular salary during vacation, plus a "holiday bonus" (loma-raha), which is typically 50% of their vacation pay.
- Collective Agreements: Collective bargaining agreements may provide for more generous vacation entitlements.
Public Holidays
Finland observes several public holidays each year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these holidays.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Epiphany | January 6 |
| Good Friday | Varies |
| Easter Sunday | Varies |
| Easter Monday | Varies |
| May Day | May 1 |
| Ascension Day | Varies |
| Midsummer Eve | Varies |
| Midsummer Day | Varies |
| All Saints' Day | Varies |
| Independence Day | December 6 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Boxing Day | December 26 |
- Compensation: If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to extra compensation.
Sick Leave
Employees in Finland are entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Entitlement: There is no statutory limit to the amount of sick leave an employee can take, provided they have a valid medical certificate.
- Pay: During sick leave, employees are typically paid their regular salary. The exact amount and duration of sick pay may vary depending on the collective agreement or employment contract.
- Waiting Period: Some employers may apply a waiting period (omavastuuaika) of one day, during which the employee may not receive sick pay.
- Medical Certificate: A medical certificate from a doctor is usually required to verify the illness, especially for absences lasting more than a few days.
Parental Leave
Finland has a comprehensive parental leave system designed to support families. Parental leave is divided into several types:
- Maternity Leave (Äitiysvapaa): Typically begins 30 working days before the expected date of delivery. The length is around 40 working days.
- Paternity Leave (Isyysvapaa): Fathers are entitled to paternity leave, which can be taken during the period when the mother is on maternity or parental leave. The length is around 54 working days.
- Parental Leave (Vanhempainvapaa): Following maternity leave, either parent can take parental leave to care for the child. The length is around 158 working days.
- Child Care Leave (Hoitovapaa): After parental leave, either parent can take child care leave until the child turns 3 years old. During this leave, the employer is not obligated to pay a salary.
- Pay: During maternity, paternity, and parental leave, parents receive allowances from Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). The amount of the allowance depends on their income.
- Adoption Leave: Similar leave entitlements apply to adoptive parents.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the main types of leave, Finnish employees may also be entitled to other types of leave:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted leave in the event of a death in their immediate family. The length of the leave may vary.
- Study Leave: Employees may be entitled to study leave to pursue education or training. The conditions and duration of study leave are often governed by collective agreements.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not legally mandated, some employers may offer sabbatical leave for employees to take extended time off for personal or professional development. The terms of sabbatical leave are typically agreed upon on a case-by-case basis.
- Family Leave for Urgent Reasons: An employee is entitled to temporary leave to take care of a family member or other person living in the same household if they experience a sudden illness or accident. This leave is typically unpaid and limited to a few days.
