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Job alternation leave

The job alternation leave has been abolished from 1.8.2024, after which no new job alternation leave can be taken.

Nainen istuttaa yrttejä.

NOTE! Job alternation leave has been abolished

Parliament has considered the Government’s proposal to abolish alternating leave. Job alternation leave has been abolished from 1.8.2024. Read more on the YTK Unemployment Fund site >>

In the past, alternating leave has allowed people to take alternating leave from work for up to six months if the employer has hired an unemployed person to replace them for the same period.

The law was amended to abolish this leave from 1.8.2024. The amendment entered into force in such a way that it was still possible to start a shift work holiday on 31 July 2024, which means that the alternation leave contract had to be submitted to the TE Office and the start date of the employment contract of the substitute for the alternation leave had to be no later than 31 July 2024.

Job alternation leave that started before the abolition can normally continue for the full maximum period of 180 calendar days.

No new alternation leave may be taken on or after 1 August 2024.

Before the abolition of the job alternating leave:

If the conditions are met, a maximum of 180 days of alternating leave can be taken. The amount of the allowance for alternating leave has been 70% of the daily allowance.

You may have been entitled to alternating leave and compensation if:

  • you have concluded an agreement with your employer and the employment authority to take alternating leave,
  • the employer hires an unemployed jobseeker as a substitute for the period of the alternating leave

Have been able to agree with the employer and the labour authority on alternating leave if:

  • ​​​​​​​you are in a full-time employment relationship, or your working time is more than 75% of the working time of a full-time worker,
  • you have at least 20 years of employment history,
  • you have been employed by the same employer for a continuous period of at least 13 months before the start of the alternating leave.

For more information on alternating leave and compensation, see the YTK Unemployment Fund website.


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