vanhempainvapaaa

Vanhempainvapaa, commonly known as parental leave, refers to a period of time granted to parents—typically new mothers and fathers—to care for their newborn or newly adopted child. The concept is widely recognized in many countries as a means of supporting work-life balance, ensuring the well-being of infants, and fostering stronger family bonds.

In Finland, parental leave is regulated under the Parental Leave Act (Laki vanhempainvapaasta), which provides both mothers and fathers with the right to take time off from work to care for their child. The leave is divided into several phases, including maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave for both parents. Maternity leave is typically allocated to the birth mother and lasts for 105 days, with an additional 57 days available if the child is born prematurely or has health complications. Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paternity leave, which must be taken within the first 6 months after the birth.

Parental leave itself can be shared between both parents, with a total of up to 170 days (or 265 days if the child is premature or has health issues) available per child. This leave can be taken flexibly, either consecutively or in shorter blocks, and parents can choose to take it before or after maternity or paternity leave. The leave is paid, with financial support provided by the Finnish Centre for Pensions (Kela), which covers a portion of the parent’s salary during the leave period.

The purpose of vanhempainvapaa is to promote equal opportunities for both parents to participate in child-rearing, reduce gender inequality in the workplace, and ensure that children receive adequate care during their early development. The system encourages shared responsibility between parents and supports families in adjusting to the demands of raising a child.