Etätyö: remote work

Detailed explanation

Remote work has been part of Finnish working culture for over two decades, accelerated significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finnish employment law does not create an automatic right to remote work, but it is widely practiced based on mutual agreement between employer and employee. The Finnish Working Hours Act was updated in 2020 to better accommodate modern flexible work arrangements.

Remote work arrangements in Finland typically fall into several categories. Full remote work means working entirely from home or another location outside the office. Hybrid work (hybridityö) combines office days and remote days, and has become the most common arrangement in knowledge-based industries. Many Finnish companies follow a model of 2-3 office days per week with the remaining days flexible.

Finnish employers who allow remote work are generally expected to ensure the employee has a suitable work environment. Many companies provide ergonomic equipment (chair, desk, monitor) for home offices, contribute to internet costs, or offer a monthly remote work allowance. The employer remains responsible for occupational safety even when the employee works from home.

How it affects expats

• •Common practice: Most Finnish office-based employers offer some form of remote work; it is an expected benefit rather than a perk

• •Tax implications: Working remotely from Finland for a foreign employer has tax and social security implications; consult Vero (Tax Administration) and Kela

• •Cross-border caution: Working remotely from outside Finland for extended periods may affect your tax residency, social security, and residence permit status

• •Equipment provision: Many Finnish employers provide or subsidize home office equipment; ask about this when starting

• •Social isolation risk: For newcomers, excessive remote work can hinder integration; balance it with office time to build relationships

Remote work agreement essentials

A good remote work agreement should cover:

• Agreed working days: Which days are remote, which are in-office

• Availability hours: When you must be reachable

• Equipment and costs: What the employer provides and any allowances

• Data security: Rules for handling confidential information at home

• Insurance coverage: Confirmation that occupational accident insurance applies

• Workspace requirements: Ergonomic and safety standards for the home office

Related terms

• •Liukuva työaika (Flexible Working Hours) — The Finnish flextime system allowing employees to adjust their daily start and end times within agreed limits

• •Työsopimus (Employment Contract) — Legal agreement between employee and employer in Finland defining job duties, salary, working hours, and terms

• •Työsuojelu (Occupational Safety) — Workplace safety and wellbeing practices

• •TES (Collective Agreement) — Industry-wide minimum employment conditions in Finland, set by collective bargaining