Study leave and unpaid leave

Study leave

Study leave allows you to take time off work so that you can study or undergo training.

You have the right to take up to two years of study leave within five years if you have worked for the same employer in one or more periods for a total of at least one year. You can take up to 5 days of study leave, if your employment has lasted for at least 3 months in one or more periods.

You can choose what you study during a study leave, as long as it is subject to public supervision. Your studies do not have to be related to your work.

You must submit a written application for study leave to your employer well in advance of starting your studies.

If you will study full-time during your study leave, you may be entitled to student financial aid from Kela.

Read more

Työsuojelu.fi
Kela (student financial aid)

Unpaid leave

If you want unpaid time off for reasons other than child care or studies, you should agree on the matter with your employer. Make the agreement in writing.

Making an agreement is always voluntary. The employer has the right to refuse to give any unpaid time off. And vice versa – the employer cannot force you to take unpaid time off.

Annual holidays usually do not accumulate during unpaid time off. This means that the number of your holiday days does not usually increase. However, the Annual Holidays Act includes a list of situations where holidays are accumulated during unpaid time off. These include family leave, and part of a study leave or a sick leave. It’s also possible to agree on a different system for accumulating paid leave in collective agreements. Check your collective agreement.

Also check whether you will receive the experience-based supplement affecting your pay during unpaid time off.

Usually, fringe benefits, such as occupational healthcare, company phones or meal benefits, cannot be used during unpaid time off. However, these can be agreed on in a collective agreement or at a workplace, so check the matter beforehand.