Pay and conditions

Our Finnish ‘Työelämäopas' section provides professionals working in education, training and research with information about their sector’s employment terms and conditions, as well as solutions for problem situations.

Employment relationship

At the start of a new employment relationship, you should find out which agreement sector your work falls under.

Public-service employment relationship or contractual employment relationship?
You should have a clear understanding of what type of employment relationship you have right from the start, as public-service and contractual employment relationships are subject to different agreements and legislation.

Employment relationships that involve the use of public authority are public-service employment relationships. Other employment relationships are contractual employment relationships.

Trial period

The start of a new employment relationship may involve a trial period, which gives the public servant or employee and the employer the opportunity to get to know one another and to see if the employment relationship is working out and, if necessary, to dissolve the employment relationship without a notice period.

A trial period may be applied to both indefinite and temporary employment relationships. If you are in a public-service employment relationship, your consent to a trial period is not needed.

If you are in a contractual employment relationship, the trial period is agreed on in your employment contract.

Appealing a decision

If you are dissatisfied with a decision regarding a public-service position, you can consider filing an appeal for a revised decision.

If you are in an employment relationship, you cannot file an appeal for a revised a decision.

If you wish to appeal against a decision, contact your shop steward.

Working hours

Working hours in the education and training sector vary depending on the position held, the educational institution and the collective agreement in question.

Working hours can be based on annual working hours, weekly working hours, the teaching obligation or on the classes given.

Part-time vs full-time teacher

Whether you work as a part-time or full-time teacher is very important in terms of the conditions of your employment relationship and your working hours.

The weekly hours of a part-time teacher may vary from no teaching hours to the hours based on the teaching obligation and more. A full-time teacher works at least 16 hours a week.

Working time experiments

If a supervisor at your workplace proposes a working time experiment, contact your local association or chief shop steward immediately.

Salaries

A teacher’s pay consists of two basic components: a task-based salary, and additional pay and bonuses based on work experience.

A teacher’s pay may also include separate remuneration for fulfilling other tasks.