In February 1999, as part of the current debate on working time in Finland, the AKAVA trade union confederation launched an idea for a new scheme known as "contractual leave". Under the scheme, working time (eg time off in lieu for overtime) could be saved in a working time "bank", while extra pay and bonuses could be saved in a sabbatical leave fund. The time and money thus saved could then be used for taking long periods of leave.
Download article in original language : FI9902196NFI.DOC
In February 1999, as part of the current debate on working time in Finland, the AKAVA trade union confederation launched an idea for a new scheme known as "contractual leave". Under the scheme, working time (eg time off in lieu for overtime) could be saved in a working time "bank", while extra pay and bonuses could be saved in a sabbatical leave fund. The time and money thus saved could then be used for taking long periods of leave.
In February 1999, the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (Akateemisten Toimihenkilöiden Keskusjärjestö, AKAVA) proposed a new working time scheme, known as "contractual leave", as part of Finland's continuing debate on the issue of working hours (FI9809177N). AKAVA hopes that the scheme, based on long periods of leave, would help create a new rhythm of work and free time, in which work would become more project-oriented. According to the union, a long period of free time is, for many professional workers, the only way to cope with their lengthening working time (FI9807170N).
AKAVA's contractual leave proposal would create an individual, voluntary model consisting of a working time "bank" and a sabbatical leave fund. The bank would be used to accumulate free time, such as time off in lieu for overtime working and any future cuts in contractual working time. The fund would be used to collect extra pay and bonuses, such as premia for overtime work. The bank and fund could be independent, but also complementary. The time and money thus saved could be used for continuous periods of leave of three months to one year, on normal pay. Saving in the fund could be promoted by not taxing the income until it is utilised, as is the case with pensions.
The contents of the working time bank and sabbatical fund could be protected by collective agreement or by other means agreed on by the social partners, in order to safeguard the savings, especially in cases where companies go bankrupt.
The Employers' Confederation of Service Industries (Palvelutyönantajat, PT) and the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (Teollisuuden ja Työnantajain Keskusliitto, TT) consider elements of the proposal to be acceptable, but also state that it needs further clarification.
Eurofound anbefaler, at denne publikation citeres på følgende måde.
Eurofound (1999), AKAVA proposes new working time scheme, article.
