Työaikalainsäädäntö

Työaikalainsäädäntö, or working time legislation in Finland, is the legal framework that governs how long people may work and how their working hours are distributed. The central statute is the Working Hours Act (Työaikalaki), which implements the European Union’s Working Time Directive in Finnish law. The act is complemented by other laws and by sector-specific collective agreements between employers and employees.

The core of the legislation covers normal working time, overtime, rest periods and breaks, and minimum daily and weekly rest. It also regulates night work, shift work, and on-call duties, aiming to protect health and safety. In addition, the act provides rules for how working time may be averaged over a reference period, enabling some flexibility for workplaces with irregular hours. Where applicable, compensation arrangements or time off in lieu accompany overtime and altered schedules.

Many details, including specific hour limits and additional protections, are often defined or adjusted by collective agreements within particular sectors or workplaces. The legislation applies to employees and certain other workers, with possible exemptions or transitional provisions in specific situations.

Enforcement and interpretation are carried out by the relevant labor authorities and inspectors, under the supervision of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Disputes arising from working time issues can be brought before the Labour Court (Työtuomioistuin) or resolved through other judicial avenues as appropriate.

Overall, Työaikalainsäädäntö seeks to balance workers’ health and well-being with employers’ need for operational flexibility, while aligning national rules with the principles of EU law.