Määräaikara

Määräaikara is a Finnish term that translates loosely to "fixed-term employment" or "limited-term contract." It refers to an employment relationship that is established for a specific duration, as opposed to an indefinite or permanent position. The duration of the contract is clearly defined at the outset, either by a specific end date or by the completion of a particular task or project.

In Finland, fixed-term employment is governed by the Employment Contracts Act. While the general principle is that employment should be indefinite, fixed-term contracts are permitted under certain conditions. These conditions often relate to the nature of the work, such as seasonal jobs, project-based work, or covering for a temporarily absent employee. Abuse of fixed-term contracts, where they are used to circumvent the protections afforded to permanent employees without a valid justification, is not permissible and can lead to the contract being considered indefinite.

Employees on fixed-term contracts generally have the same rights and obligations as permanent employees concerning salary, working hours, and other employment conditions, unless the specific terms of the fixed-term contract dictate otherwise. Upon the expiry of the fixed-term contract, the employment relationship automatically ends, unless it is extended or converted into an indefinite contract. This contrasts with permanent employment, which requires a formal termination process by either the employer or the employee.