What every young person should know when starting working life
News
Topics
- Income security
- Membership
- YTK
When a young person starts working, unemployment is usually far from their mind. There are other things to think about: their first pay, new colleagues, work schedules, what they are expected to know and how to behave at work. And that is a good thing.
Still, there is one thing worth knowing right at the start of working life: you should join an unemployment fund as soon as you have a job.
Many people only hear about this later. When their fixed-term job ends, they are laid off or they cannot find their next job straight away.
In that situation, it can come as an unpleasant surprise that you cannot join an unemployment fund retrospectively to receive earnings-related unemployment allowance for unemployment that has already begun. You need to work towards meeting the eligibility requirements in advance, while you are still working.
That is why it is important to tell young people about joining an unemployment fund when they start their first jobs.
If you know a young person who has a summer job, works alongside their studies, has just graduated or is otherwise taking their first steps into working life, ask them:
“Do you know what an unemployment fund is and why you should join while you are still working?”
If the answer is no, you may have just shared something they will be very grateful for later.
The best tips about working life are the ones you get before you need them!
YTK presents: Ihan kassalla
The Ihan kassalla miniseries makes it easy to talk to a young person about unemployment fund membership. The series already has almost one million views!
Why is YTK membership worthwhile?
- As a YTK member, you can receive more money when you are unemployed or laid off than you would receive through Kela’s general social security benefit. Use the calculator to see how much earnings-related unemployment allowance you could receive!
- Join early so that you have time to accumulate enough working and membership condition before any potential unemployment or lay-off.
- Only an unemployment fund pays earnings-related unemployment allowance. You do not need to join a trade union, which is often more expensive, to receive it.
- YTK is suitable for all employees, regardless of industry or occupation. You do not need to change funds even if you later change jobs or industries.
- As a member of YTK Unemployment Fund, you can also join YTK Worklife. For an additional annual fee of only around €30, you get:
- Help from a lawyer when you have questions about your pay or employment
- Legal expenses insurance
- Accident insurance valid worldwide
- Personal career coaching
- Eduhouse’s popular training courses
- A wide range of discounts on hotels, spas, fitness services and other leisure activities.