Työnantajavastuu

Työnantajavastuu is a Finnish legal concept referring to the employer's responsibility for the actions and omissions of their employees performed in the course of their employment. This principle is rooted in the idea that employers have control over their employees and benefit from their work, therefore they should also bear responsibility for any harm caused by them.

The scope of työnantajavastuu extends to various situations, including cases where an employee causes damage to a third party's property, suffers an injury due to negligence in the workplace, or violates legal regulations. The employer is generally liable even if they were not directly at fault, provided the employee's actions occurred within the scope of their employment. This vicarious liability aims to ensure that victims of workplace-related incidents have a clear party to seek compensation from.

However, there are limitations to työnantajavastuu. Employers may not be held liable if they can demonstrate that they took all reasonable measures to prevent the harmful action or omission. This could include providing adequate training, supervision, and establishing clear safety procedures. The employee's intentional misconduct or actions clearly outside the scope of their duties can also relieve the employer of responsibility. The specific circumstances of each case are crucial in determining the extent of the employer's liability.