The Åland Islands, an autonomous territory of Finland, adheres to Finnish labor laws concerning standard working hours.

Weekly Working Hours

The standard workweek in Finland is 40 hours. The maximum allowed working hours, including overtime, is 48 hours per week over a four-month period. This is in accordance with the Act on Working Hours (400/1994), Section 18(2). It's important to note that Ålandic legislation references are not maintained separately but mirror Finnish Law.

Daily Working Hours

The standard workday is typically eight hours. There is no legal limit on daily working hours, but regulations may apply depending on the specific circumstances.

It's worth noting that employers and employees can agree on alternative working hour arrangements through collective bargaining agreements.

In the Åland Islands, which adhere to Finnish labor laws, any work exceeding the agreed working hours or 48 hours per week over a four-month period is considered overtime, as per the Act on Working Hours (400/1994), Section 18(2).

The Act on Working Hours (Section 19) also dictates the minimum overtime compensation based on hourly wages. Overtime during the first two hours of a workday is compensated at a rate of regular wage + 50%. Overtime exceeding the first two hours in a workday requires compensation of regular wage + 100%.

For example, an employee in Åland Islands who earns a regular wage of €15 per hour and works two hours of overtime on a given day, will be compensated for those two hours at €15 (regular wage) + €7.50 (50% overtime pay), totaling €22.50 per hour. However, if the overtime extends beyond two hours on that day, the compensation for subsequent hours will be €15 (regular wage) + €15 (100% overtime pay), totaling €30 per hour.

Employers and employee unions can establish collective bargaining agreements outlining different overtime work arrangements. These agreements might specify different overtime compensation rates or time off in lieu of overtime pay. It's crucial to note that these are the minimum legal requirements. Employers can offer more favorable overtime compensation if they choose to do so.

In Åland Islands, which follows Finnish labor law, rest periods and breaks for workers are regulated by the Finnish Working Hours Act (400/1994).

Daily Rest Breaks

Employees working more than six hours a day are generally entitled to a daily break of at least one hour. This is a direct application of the Finnish Working Hours Act, Section 27(1) in Åland, unless superseded by specific Ålandic regulations.

Shorter breaks can be agreed upon between employers and employees, but they must be no less than 30 minutes. During these breaks, employees must be free to leave the workplace.

Exceptions to Daily Breaks

There are specific situations where the requirement for a daily break might not apply:

• If the nature of the work doesn't necessitate the employee's constant presence at the workplace, such as in remote work, a shorter break might be sufficient.
• On days where the working hours are less than six hours, a break might not be mandatory.

It's important to note that the specific details regarding breaks and exceptions might be further defined in collective bargaining agreements between employers and employee unions.

For a comprehensive understanding of rest period and break regulations in Åland Islands, it's important to consult the Finnish Working Hours Act.

In the Åland Islands, an autonomous territory of Finland, the regulations regarding night work and weekend work are outlined in the Act on Working Hours (Åland FS 1998:4).

Night work is generally defined as work performed between 23:00 and 06:00. However, collective agreements or employer decisions may establish different timeframes for night work. Night work is prohibited for pregnant or breastfeeding employees unless they provide written consent. Employers must strive to avoid scheduling young employees (under 18 years old) for night work. Night work for young employees is only permitted when part of their vocational training or apprenticeship, and if deemed safe for their health and safety. Employees who perform night work are entitled to receive enhanced compensation, typically in the form of a higher hourly wage or a night shift allowance. The specific amount of compensation is determined by collective agreements or employment contracts.

Employees are entitled to a weekend rest period of at least 36 consecutive hours per week. This rest period typically includes Sunday. Weekend work may be necessary in certain sectors or for specific reasons, such as emergencies, continuous operations, or public transportation. However, employers must obtain a permit from the competent authority for scheduling weekend work. Employees who work on weekends are entitled to receive compensation in the form of overtime pay or time off in lieu. The specific terms of compensation are determined by collective agreements or employment contracts.

Collective agreements may have more specific provisions regarding night work and weekend work, including limitations on working hours or increased compensation rates. Employees should consult their collective agreements for detailed information. The Åland Islands Supervisory Authority is responsible for enforcing the Act on Working Hours. They can provide guidance and address any concerns regarding night work or weekend work regulations.