Työsyrjinnällä

Työsyrjinnällä refers to the act of treating an employee or job applicant unfavorably based on certain protected characteristics. In Finland, this concept is legally defined and prohibits discrimination in various aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, terms of employment, promotion, and termination. The grounds for illegal discrimination are generally broad and include factors such as age, ethnic origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, disability, sexual orientation, and political or other opinions.

The principle of equality and non-discrimination is a fundamental aspect of Finnish labor law. Employers are obligated to ensure that all employees and applicants are treated equally and are not subjected to unfair treatment due to their personal characteristics. This applies to both direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favorably than another in a comparable situation based on a protected characteristic. Indirect discrimination, on the other hand, happens when a provision, criterion, or practice appears neutral but places individuals with a particular protected characteristic at a disadvantage compared to others, unless that provision, criterion, or practice can be objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

If an employee believes they have experienced työsyrjintä, they have legal avenues for redress. This can include seeking assistance from trade unions, occupational safety and health authorities, or pursuing legal action. The law aims to protect individuals from unfair treatment in the workplace and promote a fair and equitable working environment for all.