Basics of working life

Labour market and agreement system

The terms and conditions of working life are controlled by three factors: labour laws, collective agreements made by employer and employee organisations and agreements made locally at companies and workplaces.

agreement system, collective labour agreements, local bargaining, public-service collective agreements

Making an employment contract

Employment contracts can be in oral, written or electronic format. Making a written employment contract is in the interest of both the employee and employer.

employment contract, employment contracts, Employment Contracts Act

School agent

A school agent is an important link between JHL and schools. Agents give students information about working life, labour market and the trade union.

recruiting of members, school spokesperson

Occupational safety and health and well-being at work

The goal of well-being at work is to keep employees healthy and able to work throughout their careers.

labour protection, labour protection from mental stress, labour protection representative, well-being at work

Forms of employment

The various forms of employment are permanent employment, valid until further notice, part-time work, entrepreneurship, self-employment, temporary agency employment and fixed-term employment.

entrepreneurship, fixed-term nature, full-time work, part-time work, temporary agency work

Co-operation negotiations

Co-operation negotiations are used to discuss reasons possibly leading to notice of termination, lay-offs or the reduction of contracts to part-time contracts, their impacts and alternatives.

cooperation (industrial democracy), cooperation procedure, employee co-operation negotiations, instructions, notice of termination, temporary dismissal, transition assistance

Termination of the employment relationship

An employment relationship may be terminated because of the expiry of its fixed term, dismissal, cancellation or, in special circumstances, because it is deemed cancelled. What is the difference between these?

employment (legal relationship), employment contract, notice of termination, probation, termination of employment

Unemployment security

By belonging to JHL, you’ll get security, support, advice and service in various working life situations. Being a member also gives you security in case of unemployment. Unemployment security is paid to guarantee the income of unemployed jobseekers.

basic daily allowance, daily unemployment allowances, earnings-related allowance, income security for the unemployed, labour market subsidy, unemployment

Guides for immigrants

Welcome to the union! The brochure below is aimed at different immigrant groups and available in Arabic, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Russian and Somali.