Tönnes Lönnroos, Lisa

The start of the autumn round of collective bargaining, proposals for a new working time regulation, and a reform of the parental leave system are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Finland in the third quarter of 2017.

The Competitiveness Pact and the reform of unemployment benefits are the main points of interest of this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Finland in the second quarter of 2016.

A new study by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health shows that the harmful effects of shift work can be alleviated by using fast-rotating 12-hour shifts instead of 8-hour shifts. Industrial employees working 12-hour shifts reported greater job satisfaction, more alertness and better sleep, health and performance at work.

On 1 May 2016, the Confederation of Finnish Industries ceased to conduct central-level bargaining, moving instead to supporting its members in their sectoral-level bargaining.

The peak-level labour-market organisations have proposed maintaining existing apprenticeship schemes and creating a new form of on-the-job learning.

Social partners seek to facilitate the integration of immigrants, but trade unions dismiss proposals for reduced salaries for unqualified immigrants.

Talks on the Competitiveness Pact, threats to the formation of a new peak-level organisation, and an agreement on a wage freeze are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Finland in the first quarter of 2016.

A recent survey from Finland finds that fluency in Finnish is crucial for the employment prospects of workers of migrant origin. It also finds that – while most migrants feel they are fairly treated at work – people of African and Middle-Eastern origin report the greatest difficulties.

Legislative changes in Finland regarding sickness absence appear to have boosted the proportion of employees returning to work.

​A Finnish study on job quality finds that people working in part-time jobs and on temporary contracts experience poorer job quality – in many important respects – than their counterparts in permanent, full-time jobs. They have fewer opportunities for skills development and less discretion in their work. However, they tend to enjoy a better atmosphere and team spirit in the workplace, and they experience less mental and physical strain.