Palkkatyöntekijä

Palkkatyöntekijä is a Finnish term that translates to "wage earner" or "salaried employee" in English. It refers to an individual who performs work for an employer in exchange for a regular wage or salary. This arrangement is characterized by an employment relationship where the employer dictates the tasks, working hours, and methods of work, and the employee is obligated to follow these instructions.

Key aspects of being a palkkatyöntekijä include receiving a predictable income, often paid monthly or bi-weekly. The employer is responsible for withholding taxes and social security contributions from the employee's gross pay. Palkkatyöntekijät typically have rights and benefits stipulated by Finnish labor law and any applicable collective bargaining agreements, such as paid holidays, sick leave, and pension contributions.

This employment status contrasts with that of a self-employed individual or entrepreneur (yrittäjä), who operates their own business and bears the financial risks and rewards associated with it. In Finland, the distinction between an employee and an entrepreneur is important for tax purposes and for determining eligibility for various social benefits. The employment contract, whether written or unwritten, formalizes the relationship between the palkkatyöntekijä and the employer.