How long is annual leave in Finland?

In Finland, annual leave is governed by the Annual Holidays Act and any relevant collective agreements. Employees qualify for paid vacation based on the vacation they've earned during the previous holiday year, which runs from April 1 to March 31.

Key points:

• Employees can earn 24 or 30 days of leave, depending on how long they’ve worked.
• If an employee works fewer than 14 days in a month, they can still earn vacation if they work at least 35 hours that month.
• Vacation days are counted from Monday to Saturday, meaning one holiday week uses 6 vacation days, even if the week only has 5 workdays.

How is annual leave accrued in Finland?

Employees in Finland accumulate annual leave on a yearly basis, based on the number of full vacation credit months worked within the holiday credit year, which runs from April 1 to March 31. The accrual of annual leave is also determined by the duration of their employment:

• In the initial year of employment, employees gain 2 days of vacation per month.
• After one year of service, the accrual increases to 2.5 days per month.

Thus, the statutory annual leave can amount to either 24 or 30 days per year, depending on the employee's length of service.

What is the carry-over policy for annual leave in Finland?

In Finland, the carry-over policy for annual leave allows an employee to agree with their employer that any portion of their accrued vacation days exceeding 24 days can be taken in subsequent years. Additionally, an employer and employee can agree to carry forward a portion of vacation days exceeding 18 weekdays, or to take the portion exceeding 12 weekdays within a year following the end of the holiday season. It is important that carrying over vacation days does not cause serious harm to the production and service activities of the workplace. This policy is in accordance with the Annual Holidays Act, No. 62 of 2005, as amended.

How is paid time off (PTO) calculated in Finland?

In Finland, paid time off (PTO) is calculated using the following formula:

• Monthly salary divided by the number of working days in the month, then multiplied by the number of time-off days.

This ensures that supported employees receive appropriate compensation during their PTO.

What is the process to request annual leave in Finland?

Supported employees in Finland should follow these steps to request annual leave:

• Submit a "Request Time Off" through our Global Work Platform™.
• The employee's manager is responsible for approving the request.

Is time off usage required in set increments in Finland?

Yes, in Finland, time off usage is required in set increments. The employer must grant 24 weekdays of the annual holiday to be taken during the holiday season, which is between May 2 and September 30. The remaining portion of the holiday, known as the winter holiday, must be taken before the start of the following holiday season. Both the summer holiday and the winter holiday must be granted as uninterrupted periods.

Is unlimited PTO an option in Finland, and how can it be accommodated?

In Finland, offering employees unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) is generally not advisable due to concerns regarding the employer's lack of control over employee time management.

Is it necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Finland?

It is not necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Finland; however, it is a common practice.