Työlainsäädännön

Työlainsäädäntö, in Finland, refers to the set of laws and regulations that govern the relationship between employers and employees. It covers working conditions, pay, safety, equality, and procedures for hiring, dismissals, and changes to employment. The statutory framework includes acts on employment contracts, working time, annual holidays, occupational safety and health, equality and non-discrimination, and social security aspects connected to work. Because Finland relies heavily on collective bargaining, many terms such as wages and some working conditions are established in sectoral or company-level collective agreements rather than by statute. EU directives on working time, posted workers, and parental leave are transposed into national law and shape the Finnish framework.

The system aims to balance flexibility for employers with protection for workers, providing minimum standards and clear procedures for changes in employment, such as notice periods and handling of layoffs. Public authorities supervise compliance, while disputes may be settled through labor courts or the regular judiciary, often with mediation by trade unions or employer organizations. In practice, the terms of employment are frequently determined by collective agreements, with statutory provisions acting as a safety net.

Public and private sector workers fall under the same general principles, though some sectors have specific regulations. The overall architecture emphasizes social dialogue, flexibility, and equal treatment, reflecting Finland’s tradition of negotiated labour relations within a European Union framework.