Lomajärjestelmä

Lomajärjestelmä is a Finnish term that translates to "holiday system" or "vacation system." It refers to the framework and practices governing the allocation, accrual, and use of paid annual leave for employees in Finland. Finnish labor law mandates a minimum amount of annual leave for all workers, which increases with age. Employers are responsible for managing their employees' leave entitlements, ensuring that statutory leave is granted and taken within the prescribed periods.

The system typically involves a leave year, which is the period during which leave is accrued. Employees earn leave days based on their employment during the preceding qualifying period. The calculation of leave days is often based on a percentage of the annual salary. For example, employees under 18 years of age are entitled to two paid vacation days per month of employment, while those 18 or older are entitled to 2.5 days per month. This equates to 24 and 30 working days of paid leave per year, respectively.

Employees can usually choose when to take their holidays, but employers have the final say in approving the timing, considering operational needs. There are specific rules regarding the timing of summer holidays, which are typically taken between May and September. Unused leave can sometimes be carried over to the next year or compensated financially, depending on the specific employment contract and collective bargaining agreements. The lomajärjestelmä aims to ensure that Finnish workers have adequate rest and recovery periods, contributing to work-life balance and overall well-being.