A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Finland (2024)

Leinonen, E. (2024). Finland. In K. Hamblin, J. Heyes, & J. Fast (Eds.), Combining Work and Care : Carer Leave and Related Employment Policies in International Context (pp. 27-49). Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447365723.ch002

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Leinonen, Emilia

Parent publication: Combining Work and Care : Carer Leave and Related Employment Policies in International Context

Parent publication editors: Hamblin, Kate; Heyes, Jason; Fast, Janet

ISBN: 978-1-4473-6570-9

eISBN: 978-1-4473-6572-3

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 25/06/2024

Pages range: 27-49

Number of pages in the book: 288

Publisher: Policy Press

Place of Publication: Bristol

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447365723.ch002

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96598

Abstract

This chapter addresses the current carer leave policies and employment policies in Finland. In 2022, Finnish social and health policies underwent several changes and reforms, all of which also have implications for working carers’ capacity to combine work and care. Analysis of the adequacy of carer leave policies shows that despite existing legislation, working arrangements, available care leaves and future reforms, Finnish working life has elements that make combining paid work and care responsibilities difficult, especially for women. Overall, the available forms of flexibility in work and the possibilities to take leaves in Finland are important and could be transferable to other countries. However, all available policies lean towards a familialistic approach. In Finland, the informal carer is usually a woman, making familialism a gender issue.

Keywords: caring for close relatives; employed workforce; working; resiliency (flexibility); absences; informal care leave; job alternation leave; flexitime; care for the elderly; family policy; old age policy; labour policy; COVID-19

Free keywords: working carers; caring; carer leave; family friendly policy; work-life balance; cross-national comparison

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1