työaika

Työaika refers to the period during which an employee is bound by an employer’s instruction and is expected to perform work or be available for work. It encompasses regular working hours, overtime, and, depending on the contract and agreements, on-call or standby time. The concept is central to how a job is scheduled and how compensation and rest are organized.

In Finland, working hours are regulated by the Working Hours Act (Työaikalaki) and by collective agreements. The law sets general limits and protections for rest, breaks, and night work, while collective agreements can give more precise rules for specific sectors or workplaces. The aim is to balance productive work with employee health and safety, and to secure adequate rest between shifts and days off.

Typical structures include normaali työaika (regular or standard hours), optioita kuten ylitöitä (overtime), and often vuorotyö (shift work) or osa-aikatyö (part-time). Flexible arrangements, such as flextime (joustava työaika) and annualized hours, allow adjustments to start and end times within agreed limits. In many workplaces, especially with digital tools, the concept of työaika also covers time during which employees are reachable or expected to perform work remotely (telework).

Overtime is usually compensated with higher pay or time off, as stipulated by law or collective agreements. Breaks, daily and weekly rest periods, and other protections are designed to ensure worker welfare. The exact rules depend on the sector, contract, and applicable agreements.