Vähimmäistyöajat

Vähimmäistyöajat refer to the minimum number of working hours stipulated in employment contracts or collective agreements. This concept is primarily relevant in Finland and addresses concerns about precarious employment and the need for predictable income for workers.

The intention behind vähimmäistyöajat is to establish a baseline of hours that an employer must offer and that an employee is entitled to work. This contrasts with situations where hours can fluctuate significantly and unpredictably from week to week. By setting a minimum, it aims to provide a degree of security and stability for employees, particularly those in part-time roles, helping them to plan their finances and personal lives more effectively.

These minimums can be defined in various ways. For example, an employment contract might specify that an employee will work at least 20 hours per week. Alternatively, collective bargaining agreements, which cover many sectors in Finland, often include clauses setting minimum working hours for different job categories.

The practical effect of vähimmäistyöajat is that employers cannot unilaterally reduce an employee's hours below the agreed-upon minimum without justifiable reasons, such as significant changes in business operations. If an employer needs fewer hours than the minimum, they may still be obligated to pay the employee for the minimum number of hours, depending on the specific terms of the contract or agreement. This measure aims to prevent situations where employees are effectively left without sufficient work or income, even if their contract has not been formally terminated.