In Finland, employers can require weekend work, but this is governed by specific regulations under Finnish employment law. The Working Hours Act allows weekend work in many sectors, particularly in services, healthcare, and industries requiring continuous operation. However, employers must follow collective agreements, provide proper compensation (typically higher rates for Sunday work), and respect weekly rest periods. While some positions explicitly include weekend duties in employment contracts, employees in many sectors have the right to refuse weekend work under certain circumstances, especially if it wasn’t originally part of their employment terms.
Understanding weekend work regulations in Finland
Weekend work in Finland operates within a comprehensive legal framework designed to balance business needs with employee rights. The Finnish employment legislation recognizes that many sectors require weekend operations, but it also provides protections to ensure fair treatment of workers.
Under Finnish law, regular working hours typically follow the pattern of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, traditionally arranged Monday through Friday. However, many industries—particularly hospitality, retail, healthcare, and transportation—maintain operations during weekends.
The legal framework distinguishes between Saturday and Sunday work. While Saturday is considered a normal working day in terms of basic compensation, Sunday work carries special provisions, including mandatory increased pay. This distinction reflects the cultural value placed on Sunday as a day of rest in Finnish society.
At Firmally, we help employers navigate these regulations by ensuring their working hour arrangements comply with both national legislation and applicable collective agreements.
What does Finnish employment law say about weekend work?
Finnish employment law, primarily through the Working Hours Act (872/2019), doesn’t specifically prohibit weekend work but provides clear regulations around it. The law recognizes that certain industries require continuous operation, including weekends.
Key legal provisions regarding weekend work include:
- Employees must receive at least 35 hours of uninterrupted weekly rest, preferably arranged around Sunday
- Sunday work requires the employee’s consent unless the nature of the work regularly requires Sunday shifts
- When work is performed on Sunday or religious holidays, the employee must receive at least 100% increased hourly pay as compensation
- Employers must distribute weekend shifts equally among staff when possible
The Act also recognizes sector-specific needs, allowing more flexible arrangements in healthcare, emergency services, transport, and hospitality industries where weekend operations are essential.
Importantly, many of these provisions can be modified through collective agreements, which play a significant role in determining the specific rules for different sectors in Finland.
Can your employment contract require you to work weekends?
Yes, your employment contract in Finland can include requirements for weekend work, but the specific terms must be clearly stated. When an employer wants to include weekend duties, this should be explicitly mentioned during recruitment and properly documented in the employment agreement.
Employment contracts that may include weekend work typically fall into several categories:
- Contracts that specifically state weekend work is required (common in retail, hospitality)
- Contracts based on shift work patterns that include weekends
- Contracts with flexible working arrangements where weekend work may sometimes be required
- Fixed-term contracts specifically for weekend coverage
Collective agreements often provide additional framework for weekend work arrangements. These agreements, negotiated between employer organizations and trade unions, may specify conditions under which weekend work can be required and any associated benefits.
If weekend work wasn’t initially part of your employment terms, the employer generally cannot unilaterally impose it without negotiation. Any substantial change to working conditions requires employee consent or must follow the legal process for modifying employment terms.
What compensation are you entitled to for weekend work in Finland?
In Finland, compensation for weekend work varies between Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday offering significantly higher benefits. The most notable element is the mandatory Sunday bonus required by law.
Standard compensation requirements include:
- Regular wages for Saturday work (unless collective agreements specify otherwise)
- Sunday work must be compensated with a 100% increase on the regular hourly wage
- Public holidays that fall on weekends typically follow Sunday compensation rules
- Some collective agreements provide additional compensation for Saturday work
Beyond direct financial compensation, employers may provide other benefits for weekend workers, such as additional time off, meal allowances, or more convenient shift scheduling at other times.
Many collective agreements enhance these minimum requirements, particularly in sectors where weekend work is common. For instance, some agreements in the service sector provide additional percentage increases for evening hours on weekends or special bonuses for holiday weekends.
Our payroll specialists at Firmally ensure your business calculates and processes these various compensation requirements correctly, helping you maintain compliance while fairly compensating your weekend workforce.
How can employees refuse weekend work in Finland?
In Finland, employees’ ability to refuse weekend work depends largely on their employment contract, collective agreement, and personal circumstances. There are several legitimate grounds for refusing weekend work, even when it might otherwise be required.
Circumstances that may justify refusing weekend work include:
- Religious observance, particularly when the employee has consistently practiced their faith
- Family responsibilities, such as childcare arrangements that cannot be reasonably altered
- Health reasons, supported by medical documentation
- When weekend work wasn’t part of the original employment agreement, and no valid grounds exist for changing these terms
- Educational commitments that were disclosed and agreed upon at hiring
The key factor is often whether weekend work was included in the original employment terms. If an employee was hired with the understanding that the position involved only weekday work, the employer typically cannot force weekend shifts without the employee’s consent or following the legal process for changing substantive employment terms.
Finnish employment legislation also provides protection against discrimination, ensuring that refusals based on protected grounds (such as religion or family status) cannot lead to unfair treatment.
Key takeaways about weekend work requirements in Finland
Understanding Finland’s weekend work regulations helps both employers and employees navigate their rights and responsibilities effectively. The key principles to remember include:
- Weekend work is legally permitted but regulated, with special protections for Sunday work
- Employment contracts should clearly state if weekend work is required
- Sunday work must be compensated with at least 100% increased pay
- Employees have rights to refuse weekend work under certain circumstances, especially if it wasn’t in their original contract
- Collective agreements often provide additional protections and benefits related to weekend work
- All employees are entitled to at least 35 hours of consecutive weekly rest
For employers, ensuring compliance with these regulations while maintaining operational needs requires careful planning and clear communication. At Firmally, our HR and payroll services can help businesses implement compliant working hour systems, accurately calculate weekend compensations, and develop employment contracts that clearly address weekend work requirements.
By understanding and respecting these regulations, employers can create fair working environments while meeting their business needs, and employees can ensure they receive the proper compensation and protections when working weekends.
