Lomaoikeudet

Lomaoikeudet, or annual holiday entitlement, refer to the right of employees in Finland to paid annual leave. They are defined by the Annual Holidays Act (vuosilomalaki) and supplemented by collective agreements and individual employment contracts. The purpose is to give workers regular rest and recreation while ensuring income during the holiday period.

accrual and entitlement: Holidays accrue during employment, and the exact entitlement depends on length of service and contractual terms or applicable collective agreements. In general, a full-time employee receives a substantial annual holiday allowance, expressed as multiple weeks per year. The law also governs holiday pay, which compensates the employee for the time off and can be calculated either as a separate holiday pay component or included in regular wages, depending on the agreement.

taking holidays: Holidays are taken after agreement between the employee and employer. The employer may set holiday scheduling within the holiday year, subject to the employee’s rights and any carryover rules. Some days may be reserved for business needs, and in many contracts there are rules about when holidays must be taken.

carryover and termination: If holidays are not taken within the holiday year, they may be carried over under statutory limits or agreement terms. Upon termination of employment, accrued but unused holidays are typically compensated, again in line with the relevant contract or collective agreement.

scope: Lomaoikeudet apply to employees under Finnish labor law, including full-time, part-time, and fixed-term workers, with accrual generally proportional to the time worked. Self-employed individuals and many civil service categories may have different arrangements.

public holidays: Public holidays are separate from annual holidays; they are paid if the employee would normally work on those days.