Employment Law

Your strategic legal partner in employment matters

Our Employment law team regularly advises companies on strategies related to human resources and employment law matters. These activities include change negotiations, drafting management and employment agreements, and addressing questions related to the termination of employment with an economic and forward-looking approach. We are known for our business-savvy counseling and practical advice. Thus, whenever you require practical and well-considered solutions for employment law matters, we are here to assist you.

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Our team offers extensive advice on a broad spectrum of employment law issues, from hiring to firing:

• Advising on employment law;
• Drafting employment agreements;
• Drafting in-house policies;
• Advising on collective bargain agreements;
• Employee data and privacy;
• Employment-related outsourcing; 
• Termination of employment agreements;
• Whistleblower protection;
• Workforce reorganisation;
• Employment related disputes, etc.

• We drafted a frame employment agreement and other employer's policies necessary for smooth operations of the company, employees' wellbeing and compliance with Finnish employment regulations. 
  

• Oscari Seppälä represented the employer in the employment related dispute securing a settlement. 
  

• "From hiring to firing". We regularly advising foreign companies on Finnish employment regulation starting from hiring to employment termination. 

Employment legislation in Finland

Our team is well-versed in applying and interpreting the provisions of key legislation, including the Employment Contracts Act, the Working Time Act, the Occupational Safety Act, the Co-operation Act, the Customer Liability Act, the Equality Act, and the Maritime Labour Act. We consistently apply these laws in practice, ensuring comprehensive compliance and guidance for our clients.

General principles of employment law

Finnish employment legislation offers robust protection to employees, primarily because many employee rights are inalienable. Additionally, as a fundamental principle, both employment legislation and contracts are generally interpreted in favor of the employee. Finnish employment law also enforces a strict prohibition against discrimination.

Requirements regarding the form of the employment contracts in Finland

In principle, Finnish law does not require a written employment contract unless requested by either party involved in the employment relationship. However, if there is no written contract, the employer must provide the employee with a written statement detailing the key terms of employment.

Collective Bargain Agreements | A Nordic peculiarity

It's important to note that collective bargain agreements play a crucial role in the Finnish labor market. These agreements can establish specific rules that modify or add to labor and employment law. Moreover, they override any conflicting employment contract terms if such terms are detrimental to the employee, as stated in the Collective Agreements Act (436/1946, as amended). Therefore, it's essential to thoroughly review whether a generally applicable collective bargain agreement applies to your business sector.

Grounds for terminating of employment

Under Finnish law, employment termination can occur based on (i) reasons related to the employee's circumstances, actions, or conduct (individual grounds), or (ii) reasons related to the employer's operations (collective grounds). Moreover, as a general principle, terminating employment necessitates objective, significant, and justifiable reasons.