äitiysvapaa

Äitiysvapaa is a Finnish term referring to maternity leave. It is a period of absence from work granted to a mother before and after giving birth. The purpose of äitiysvapaa is to allow the mother time to recover from childbirth and to bond with and care for her newborn child. This leave is a statutory right in Finland, ensuring job security for the employee during this period.

The duration of äitiysvapaa is typically 105 weekdays, which is approximately 4.5 months. The mother can choose to start her leave 14 to 30 weekdays before her estimated due date. After the äitiysvapaa ends, it can be followed by vanhempainvapaa (parental leave), which is a shared leave between parents. During äitiysvapaa, the mother is entitled to maternity allowance, a form of income replacement paid by Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). This allowance ensures financial support while the mother is not working.

The concept of äitiysvapaa is rooted in the Finnish social security system, aiming to support families and promote the well-being of both mother and child. It is considered a crucial part of the broader family leave system designed to balance work and family life. Employers are legally obligated to grant äitiysvapaa and cannot dismiss an employee due to taking this leave. The system is in place to facilitate a smooth transition into motherhood and to ensure the child receives adequate care in the early stages of life.