Viikkotyöajan

Viikkotyöajan refers to the legal maximum number of working hours allowed per week in Finland. This legislation is designed to protect employees' well-being and prevent overwork. The standard viikkotyöaika for most employees is 40 hours per week. However, this can be adjusted through collective bargaining agreements, which may stipulate shorter weekly working hours.

There are provisions for extending working hours beyond the standard viikkotyöaika, but these are subject to specific regulations and compensation. For example, overtime work must be agreed upon and compensated at a higher rate. The law also allows for a more flexible arrangement known as "working time banking," where hours worked beyond the normal weekly limit can be accumulated and taken as compensatory time off later.

Exceptions to the standard viikkotyöaika exist for certain professions or industries where work patterns may differ, such as shift work or roles with on-call duties. These exceptions are also regulated to ensure that employee rights are still upheld. The enforcement of viikkotyöaika regulations is overseen by the occupational safety and health authorities, who ensure that employers adhere to the legal requirements. The goal is to strike a balance between the needs of employers for productivity and the rights of employees to a reasonable workload and rest.