Lomautusjaksoa

Lomautusjakso is a term used in Finnish labor law to describe a period during which an employee’s work is temporarily suspended due to economic or production-related reasons. The aim of a lomautusjakso is to preserve employment and the continuity of the business by avoiding permanent layoffs. During the period, the employee does not perform work for the employer, and, in many cases, does not receive regular wages, unless otherwise agreed in a contract or through a collective agreement.

The legal framework for lomautusjakso centers on the Finnish Employment Contracts Act and, for larger employers, the co-operational provisions of the Yhteistoimintalaki (Co-operation Act). In practice, decisions to begin a lomautusjakso are typically prepared in dialogue with employees or their representatives (for example, a shop steward or a labour union). The employer must provide appropriate notice and determine the planned duration of the layoff, which may be subject to limits defined by statute, collective agreements, or company-level policies. If a longer period is anticipated, or if the process exceeds agreed terms, additional procedures or alternative measures may be considered.

Pay during a lomautusjakso varies. Generally, wages are not paid for the days of layoff, though some agreements or individual arrangements may provide partial pay for a portion of the period. Employees laid off may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the Finnish unemployment insurance system, depending on eligibility and registration with the appropriate authorities.

A lomautusjakso does not terminate the employment relationship; the employee remains employed and typically returns to work when the layoff ends, provided the business situation has improved. If conditions do not improve, other options, including termination, may be discussed.