työajassa

Työajassa is a Finnish adverb formed from työaika (working time) with the inessive suffix -ssa, and it is used to describe something that occurs during standard working hours or within the limits of the official work schedule. In HR, management, and legal or policy texts, stating that activities are performed “työajassa” signals that they take place within agreed working times as opposed to overtime or after-hours work. The term is often discussed together with concepts such as flexible working hours (joustava työaika) and overtime (ylityö).

Usage examples illustrate its meaning without implying physical presence alone. For instance, “Asiakaspalvelu toimii työajassa” indicates customer service operates during normal working hours, while “Hän pysyi työajassa” suggests he stayed within the allotted working time rather than working beyond it. In practice, työajassa is commonly used in company policies, collective agreements, and administrative texts to communicate timing expectations and compliance with work-time rules.

Nuances and scope: työajassa does not equate to being physically at the workplace; rather, it emphasizes adherence to the defined time frame for work. It serves as a contrast to outside-of-hours work, such as overtime or hours outside the agreed schedule. Related terms include työaika (the actual working hours), joustava työaika (flexible hours), ylityö (overtime), and työajankäyttö (use of working time).

See also: työaika, joustava työaika, ylityö, työajankäyttö.