Työaikalainsäntään

Työaikalainsäntään refers to Finnish legislation governing working hours. This legal framework is primarily established by the Working Hours Act (Työaikalaki). The core purpose of this legislation is to protect employees by setting maximum working hours, ensuring adequate rest periods, and defining rules for overtime and shift work.

The Working Hours Act stipulates a maximum daily working time of eight hours and a maximum weekly working time of 40 hours. Overtime must be compensated, typically at a higher rate than regular pay. The law also mandates daily and weekly rest periods, ensuring employees have sufficient time to recover from work. Specific regulations exist for different types of work, including shift work and work that is difficult to schedule, with provisions for flexible arrangements and compensatory time off.

The legislation also covers aspects like on-call duties and work performed on public holidays. Employers are required to maintain accurate records of working hours. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Työterveyslaitos) and the Regional State Administrative Agencies (Aluehallintovirastot) are responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of these regulations. Employees have rights to seek redress if their working hours are not in compliance with the law. The aim is to promote a healthy work-life balance and prevent overwork.