työajat

Työajat refer to the period during which an employee is expected to perform work, including actual working time and required availability. The concept also covers mandated breaks and rest periods, as well as flexible arrangements that determine when work may be performed.

In Finland, työajat are primarily governed by the Working Hours Act (työaikalaki) and by sector-specific collective agreements. The act provides a framework for normal working time, limits and compensation for overtime, rules on night work and shift work, and required rest periods. Collective agreements may further specify hours, rest breaks, scheduling flexibility, and additional rights and obligations.

Common models include standard full-time schedules, part-time arrangements, flextime systems, and various forms of shift work or rotation. Remote work or telework can affect how hours are tracked, but still falls under the same legal framework. Some agreements include on-call time, which is time when the employee must be available for work but not necessarily actively working.

Overtime rules regulate hours beyond normal working time and typically provide higher pay or compensatory time off, subject to agreement and statutory limits. Employers and employees may negotiate arrangements that suit operational needs while protecting health and well-being.

Employers must maintain records of working hours, and employees have rights to information about their hours and rest periods. Disputes over working hours are typically resolved through collective agreements, workplace procedures, or, if needed, labor courts.