When in trouble, ask for help

You may see things at work that you think are handled poorly or unfairly. Always try to discuss them with your employer first. Use text messages or e-mail for the discussions and save every message.

Here is what to do if talking with your employer goes nowhere:

If you are a trade union member

Seek advice from your shop steward, employee representative, union representative, or the occupational safety representative. A shop steward or employee representative is a person elected by the employees from among themselves who represents the employees and the trade union at the workplace. The safety representative monitors the occupational safety of employees and knows the relevant legislation.

If your workplace has no shop steward, employee representative, or safety representative, seek advice from your trade union’s regional office or call the union’s helpline.

If you are not a trade union member

Seek advice from a colleague or the safety representative at your workplace. If the problem persists, you can seek advice from the Occupational safety and health authority or SAK’s employee rights advisory service.

Are you having problems getting paid?

Keep a record of the hours you work and compare the record to your payslip. Employers must provide employees with a payslip whenever the employer pays wages. Keep your payslips.

If you notice any errors or deficiencies in your pay, follow the instructions found on Empolyment Basics > Pay.

Advisory services

You can contact SAK’s free employee rights advisory service by email or phone. You can find the contact details and opening hours on the page of the employee rights advisory service.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration checks that employers are complying with labour laws and provides general advice on matters of employment. You may contact this public authority by calling 029 525 6808 for Finnish language advice between 09:00 and 15:00 on Monday to Friday. The advisory service is also available in Swedish between 09:00 and 12:00 on Wednesdays, and in English between 09:00 and 12:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Ask Victim Support Finland (RIKU) for confidential advice if you suspect that you are a victim of a crime or abuse at your workplace. E-mail help@riku.fi or call 040 632 9293 between 13:00 and 16:00 on Monday to Friday. You may also send text or WhatsApp messages to this number.

Contact Help for Victims of Human Trafficking by calling 0295 463 177.

You may consult the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman by completing an online form, or by e-mail, online chat or telephone, if you suspect that you have suffered discrimination as a foreigner or for some similar reason. Further guidelines and opening hours are available from the website of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.

You may also contact the Ombudsman for Equality if you suspect discrimination on grounds of your gender, gender identity or gender expression. The Ombudsman for Equality operates a telephone hotline on 029 566 6842 between 09:00 and 11:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and between 13:00 and 15:00 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.