Working hours
Working hours refer to the time when an employee is available for the employer to perform the tasks agreed upon in the employment contract.
The members of SuPer work mainly within the scope of period-based work regulations, regardless of whether the employer operates in the public or private sector. Provisions for shift work and other forms of working hours (such as regular working hours or office hours) can be found in both collective agreements and the relevant law.
Working hours have a significant impact on an employee’s well-being and ability to recover. Working hours have a particularly strong influence on three areas of well-being: health, occupational safety, and the work-home balance.
Work hours affect a person’s ability to react correctly in different situations. This is directly related to work safety. The risks of accidents and injuries increase especially when working long shifts or when work is scheduled during the night or early morning.
Laws on working hours were changed at the beginning of 2020.
At the beginning of the employment, the employment contract states whether the work is full-time or part-time. Full-time work is usually done five days a week, for a maximum of 8 hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week.
Part-time work involves working fewer hours than full-time work. The employment contract may specify a lower daily or weekly working hours, such as 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week, or a percentage of working hours, for example 50% of full-time work per week or in a specific period of time.
An agreement on flexible working hours can be reached with an the employee, in which case the employee’s working hours may vary depending on the employer’s needs, for example, 1–115 hours per 3 weeks.
Obligation to offer work to part-time employees
If an employer needs more employees, the employer is obligated to offer work to their part-time employee. If the employee works e.g. 50% of the work time (one week at work and one week off) and there is a need for additional workforce during the week off, the part-time employee must be offered additional work for that week.
Employers must announce job openings in a way so that part-time and fixed-term employees have the same opportunities to apply for these jobs as permanent or full-time employees.