käynnistysperuste

Käynnistysperuste, often translated as "grounds for dismissal" or "cause for termination," refers to the legally permissible reasons an employer can use to end an employment relationship. Finnish labor law, specifically the Employment Contracts Act, outlines these grounds.

There are generally two main categories of käynnistysperuste: personal reasons and production-related reasons. Personal reasons can include significant breaches of contract by the employee, such as repeated lateness, negligence, insubordination, or dishonesty. These must be substantial enough to make the continuation of the employment relationship unreasonable for the employer. Before dismissal on personal grounds, an employer is typically required to provide a formal warning and an opportunity for the employee to correct their behavior, unless the misconduct is exceptionally severe.

Production-related reasons, on the other hand, relate to changes in the employer's operational needs. This could involve restructuring, downsizing, or the cessation of a particular business function, leading to a shortage of work for the employee. In such cases, the employer must demonstrate that there is no other suitable work available for the employee within the company.

Dismissal based on käynnistysperuste requires a formal process. The employer must notify the employee in writing of the grounds for termination and the proposed date of dismissal. The employee usually has a right to be heard before the decision is finalized and has the right to challenge the dismissal in court if they believe it is unjustified. Unfair dismissal can lead to compensation claims for the employee.