Kausityö

Kausityö, or seasonal work, is a form of temporary employment in Finland where the job period is tied to a season or a predictable peak in demand. Typical durations range from a few weeks to several months, often aligning with the summer tourism season (May to August) or harvest periods in agriculture and forestry. Positions may be full-time or part-time and can include day or shift work.

Common sectors for kausityö include hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, summer events), agriculture and farming (fruit picking, berry cultivation), forestry (harvesting operations), and construction (seasonal projects). In ski resorts or other winter destinations, kausityö may occur in winter as well.

Who works kausityö? Students, recent graduates, and other job seekers often take seasonal positions for income or experience. Employers recruit through public employment services (TE-palvelut), company websites, or staffing agencies. Seasonal work can be fixed-term and may be part of a broader permanent workforce with temporary hires.

Legal and working conditions: As with other employment, kausityö is governed by Finnish labor law and sector-specific collective agreements. Wages, hours, and holidays are defined in contracts. Seasonal workers are generally covered by the same social security and taxation rules as other employees. Non-Finnish workers may require appropriate residence and work permits depending on nationality and duration.