vanhempainvapaajärjestelmissä

Finnish parental leave systems, known as vanhempainvapaajärjestelmät, are designed to support parents in caring for their children during the early stages of life. The system is comprehensive and aims to ensure financial security and the opportunity for parental bonding.

The core components include pregnancy allowance, special pregnancy allowance, parental allowance, and child care allowance. Pregnancy allowance is paid to the expectant mother for a period before the child's birth, typically around 40 days. Special pregnancy allowance can be granted if the mother's work involves health risks that cannot be eliminated.

Parental allowance is the longest and most substantial part of the system, paid to either parent after the birth. It can be shared between parents, allowing flexibility in how they divide the time off. The duration and amount of parental allowance are determined by the earnings of the parent receiving it, with a minimum benefit provided to all.

Child care allowance is a supplementary benefit that can be received by a parent who is not working and is caring for a child under a certain age, usually three. This allows for extended periods of full-time care at home.

Eligibility for these benefits is generally tied to employment history and contributions to the Finnish social security system. The system is administered by Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. These provisions are intended to promote gender equality in parenting and to support the well-being of both children and parents.