Työaikalainsäädäntöön

Työaikalainsäädäntöön is a Finnish framework of laws and regulations governing working time. The core is the Työaikalaki (Working Hours Act), which sets rules on normal working hours, overtime, rest periods, night work, and how shift work is organized. The act is complemented by sector-specific collective agreements and by the European Union’s Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC), which Finland implements in national law.

Scope and purpose: The rules apply to employees and employers in most industries. They aim to protect workers’ health and safety, promote work–life balance, and provide predictability in scheduling, while allowing room for economic efficiency through collective agreements and flexible arrangements within legal limits.

Key provisions: Normal working time and hours are defined by law and can be adjusted by collective agreements; overtime beyond normal hours requires compensation, either as pay or time off, with limits on duration. Rest periods require daily and weekly rest, with minimum intervals between shifts and designated rest days. Night workers receive additional protections, including health monitoring and possible restrictions. The legislation also covers flexible scheduling, shift rosters, and on-call arrangements, and it interacts with how annual leave is taken and recorded. Young workers have special protections and stricter limits.

Enforcement and exceptions: Violations can be subject to penalties and inspections by authorities responsible for occupational safety and health. The law allows exemptions in certain sectors or for specific situations through collective agreements, reflecting practice in many industries. In day-to-day use, terms are frequently negotiated at the sector or workplace level, within the statutory minimums.

See also: European Union Working Time Directive.