Työoikeuden

Työoikeuden, or Finnish labor law, is the branch of law that governs the rights and duties of employees and employers in the Finnish employment relationship. It covers individual employment contracts, collective agreements, working conditions, wages, working hours, leave, occupational safety and health, and protection against discrimination and harassment. It also regulates termination of employment, notice periods, unemployment, and redundancy procedures.

Sources and regulation include statutory acts such as the Employment Contracts Act (Työsopimuslaki), the Working Hours Act, the Annual Holidays Act, and safety and equality laws. EU law and international conventions influence the framework, and collective agreements negotiated by Finnish trade unions and employers’ associations shape terms of employment in many sectors.

Institutions and enforcement involve the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, which oversees policy, along with specific agencies that enforce safety, equality, and working conditions. The Labour Court (työtuomioistuin) handles disputes arising from collective agreements and certain labour matters, while ordinary courts deal with other disputes. In practice, many terms are determined by collective agreements and interpreted through statutory law and case law.

Disputes and rights: Employees have protection against unlawful dismissal, discrimination, and unsafe working conditions; employers have rights to manage operations, compensate performance, and implement legitimate measures when needed. The field continues to evolve with changes in EU law and social policy, balancing worker protection with business flexibility.