työnhakuvierailujen

Työnhakuvierailut, meaning job seeking visits in Finnish, are a period of authorized absence from work to attend interviews or other job-related appointments. This practice is recognized in Finnish labor law, primarily under the Act on Employment Relationships (Työsopimuslaki). The law states that an employee is entitled to reasonable time off for job seeking during their employment. This entitlement typically applies when the employment relationship is about to end, for example, due to notice of termination.

The purpose of työnhakuvierailut is to allow employees to actively search for new employment opportunities without facing financial penalties or unauthorized absence. The time granted should be sufficient to attend the interview or appointment and travel to and from it. The exact duration and conditions for these visits can sometimes be specified in collective agreements or individual employment contracts, but the legal framework provides a baseline right.

During such visits, the employee is generally entitled to their normal pay. This means that the employer is obligated to pay the employee their salary for the time taken off for the job seeking visit, provided all legal conditions are met. It is usually expected that the employee will inform their current employer about the intended absence in advance, allowing for proper planning. Employers cannot unreasonably refuse such requests, as long as the purpose is genuinely job seeking and the time requested is reasonable.