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Temporary amendments to the Employment Contracts Act

On 1 April 2020, temporary amendments to the Employment Contracts Act entered into force. The aim of the changes is to create conditions that allow employers to adapt their activities more quickly during the corona epidemic.

Temporary amendments to labour legislation that enter into force on 1 April 2020

  • Employer/employee negotiation procedure 5 days. The change only applies only to lay-offs, not to dismissals or changing to part-time work
  • Lay-offs are also possible in fixed-term employment relationships
  • The lay-off notification period is reduced to 5 days
  • Production-related and financial reasons may be used for cancelling a trial period
  • Obligation to re-employ is extended to 9 months
  • The exceptional regulations also apply to apprenticeships
  • The exceptional regulations do not apply to the state, municipalities, joint municipal boards, Kela, the government of the Åland Islands, and the Evangelical-Lutheran or Orthodox Church
  • The amendments will be valid until 30 June 2020
  • Government proposal HE 26/2020

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