Legislation concerning workers aged under 18

In Finland, the Young Workers’ Act includes provisions related to maximum working time and breaks, among other aspects. The Young Workers’ Act (pdf) applies to all workers aged under 18. 

There are specific provisions for young workers of different ages. 

The wages to be paid to schoolgoers are usually indicated in the applicable collective agreement. On average, these wages are 70–90% of the lowest wage class. For more information, see wages for young people and summer workers. Always check to ensure that your wages and supplements have been paid correctly. Every summer, there are cases of non-payment of basic wages or supplements to young people. 

Note! You should always record the hours you have worked in your calendar, for example, in case of a later dispute. 

13 years or younger 

Young people aged 13 or under are allowed, with permission from the Regional State Administrative Agency, to work temporarily as a performer or assistant in artistic and cultural performances and similar events. The requirements for such permission are listed in the Young Workers’ Act (pdf). 

Workers aged 13–14 

Young people aged 14 or turning 14 during the same calendar year are allowed to do light work. The work must not interfere with their education. 

A young person aged 13–14 may not work for more than half of the school’s holiday periods. Outside holiday periods during the school year, a young person may work temporarily or for a short period of time. The work must not harm her or his health or development and must not interfere with her or his education. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has issued a decree (189/2012, in Finnish) including a list of examples of light work suitable for young workers. 

Working time regulations for young people aged 13–14 

Young people aged 14 or turning 14 during the same calendar year may work for no more than 7 hours per day and 35 hours per week during the school holiday periods. Overtime is prohibited.  

The working time must be between 8 am and 8 pm. For weighty reasons, the working time may be between 6 am and 8 pm. The amount of uninterrupted rest must be at least 14 hours per day. The amount of weekly rest is at least 38 hours.

When the daily working hours of young workers are more than 4 hours 30 minutes, they get a break of at least 30 minutes in the course of their work, during which they are free to leave the workplace.

Note! If an exception in the collective agreement to the provision on the periods of rest laid down in the Working Time Act , then the stipulation concerning periods of rest can also be applied to young workers.

Regular working hours	• 7 hours per day • 35 hours per week
Working hours for youth in primary education during the school year	• on days off 7 h/day • on school days 2 h/day • weekly working hours max. 12 h/week • school day and working time combined max. 8 h/day
Overtime	Forbidden
Placement of working hours	• 8 am to 8 pm, for weighty reasons from 6 am to 8 pm • in household work until 11 pm
Lunch break	30 minutes, if working time is more than 4 h 30 min (note exception above).
Uninterrupted daily rest	14 hours per day
Uninterrupted weekly rest	38 hours per week

Workers aged under 18 

Young people aged under 18 have been covered by the compulsory education requirement since 1 August 2021. The compulsory education requirement expires when the young person turns 18 or when they have completed a secondary education qualification. 

However, this does prevent young people from working. A young person who has turned 15 and has completed comprehensive school may enter into a permanent employment relationship. A young person can work part time, for example. 

However, the work shifts of a young person covered by the compulsory education requirement must not overlap with education that requires her or his presence. If work and studies overlap, the young worker has the right to not take a shift of work that would prevent her or him from attending education. Correspondingly, a young worker must provide her or his employee, in good time, with information about when she or he is required to attend education. 

Before hiring a young worker, the employer must obtain reliable records of the young worker’s age and completion of comprehensive school.  

Working time regulations for young people aged 15–17 

A person who has turned 15 has the same working time as persons aged 18 or over: 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, and no more than 9 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Their work shifts must not overlap with education that requires their presence.  

The maximum amount of overtime is 80 hours per year, and an additional 40 hours per year under special permission.  

Working time for young people covered by the compulsory education requirement during the school year: 

• No more than two hours per day on school days if the person is attending basic education. The two-hour limit does not apply to upper secondary school and vocational education. 
• No more than 7 hours per day on free days 
• The maximum weekly working time is 12 hours 
• The total duration of the school day and working time must be no more than 8 hours per day. 

In apprenticeship training, the maximum working time is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. 

The working time must be between 6 am and 10 pm. In domestic work, with the worker’s permission, work may be carried until 11 pm for a specific reason. Young people who have turned 15 may work in two-shift work for vocational training until midnight.  

The minimum amount of uninterrupted rest is 12 hours per day. The amount of weekly rest is at least 38 hours. 

When the daily working hours of young workers are more than 4 hours 30 minutes, they get a break of at least 30 minutes in the course of their work, during which they are free to leave the workplace.

Note! If an exception in the collective agreement to the provision on the periods of rest laid down in the Working Time Act , then the stipulation concerning periods of rest can also be applied to young workers.

Regular working hours	• 8 hours per day • 40 hours per week
Working hours for youth in primary education during the school year	• on days off 7 h/day • on school days 2 h/day • weekly working hours max. 12 h/week • school day and working time combined max. 8 h/day
Overtime	• max. 80 hours per year, with permisson additional 40h/year • daily working hours max. 9h/day • weekly working hours max. 48h/week
Placement of working hours	• 8 am to 10 pm • in household work until 11 pm • in two-shift work related to vocational education until midnight
Lunch break	30 minutes, if working time is more than 4 h 30 min (note exception above).
Uninterrupted daily rest	12 hours per day
Uninterrupted weekly rest	38 hours per week

Sales of alcohol and tobacco 

Sales of alcohol and tobacco in retail: a person aged under 18 may only sell alcohol and tobacco under the supervision of a person of age. 

Sales of alcohol and tobacco in a restaurant: A person aged 16 may only serve alcohol under the direct supervision of the employee in charge or a person designated for the task. Tobacco sales must also take place under the supervision of a person aged 18 or over. For more information, visit the Valvira website. 

Employment contracts for young workers  

A person aged 15 may enter into and terminate employment contracts. Guardians (usually the father and mother) may sign employment contracts on behalf of a person aged under 15. A person aged under 15 may sign an employment contract with permission from a guardian. 

A guardian has the right to terminate a young worker’s employment contract if the guardian thinks that termination is necessary for the purposes of the young person’s education, development or health.  

Written or oral contract? 

Although oral contracts are binding on the parties, employment contracts should be made in writing. PAM has agreed with the employer organisations on contract templates for various sectors. Employment contracts should be based on such a template. 

If the contract is not made in writing or if it concerns work other than household work for one day at the employer’s home, the employer must present a written record of the terms of employment before the contract is signed, if the young worker or her or his guardian request to see such a written record. 

If the employment contract is not made in writing and the employment relationship lasts for more than one month, the employer must provide a written record of the terms of employment, even if a request to see such a written record has not been made. The record must indicate the wages, working time, tasks and duration of employment, among other details.   

What type of work is permitted? 

The tasks must be in line with the young person’s physical and mental capabilities. Special attention must be paid to induction for young workers and the monitoring of their work. 

The Government Decree on Work Especially Harmful and Hazardous to Young Workers (475/2006, in Finnish) which entered into force on 1 August 2006, lays down the conditions under which workers aged under 18 may be assigned the types of work referred to in section 9, subsection 2 of the Young Workers’ Act (998/1993). 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has confirmed a list of examples of work hazardous to young people (188/2012, in Finnish). Such work may not be assigned to young people aged under 16. Hazardous work may be assigned to young people aged 16 or over if safety at work has been ensured. 

Health examination 

If an employment relationship is intended to last for more than three months, a young worker must undergo a health examination at the employer’s expense within one month of the beginning of the employment relationship. 

A health examination is not required if the work is light work in a shop or office or similar light work. A health examination is not required if the young person has a medical certificate issued within the past year that provides sufficient information about her or his suitability for the work. 

Employer’s obligation to maintain a list 

The employer must maintain a list of all young people whose employment relationship lasts for at least two months. The list must indicate the following: 

• The young person’s full name and date of birth 
• The young person’s address 
• The guardian’s name and address 
• The start date of the employment relationship 
• A description of the tasks to be performed 

End of employment 

Summer jobs are usually temporary. The contract expires without termination at the end of the contract period. 

The final pay at the end of the employment relationship must usually include holiday compensation, as summer workers normally earn days of annual leave, even though they cannot use such days as annual leave. Holiday compensation must be itemised and paid in addition to the wages. It may not be included in the basic wages. The worker is also entitled to a reference from the employer if she or he so wishes. 

The final pay must be paid on the last working day, unless otherwise agreed. If the final pay is paid later than agreed, the employer must pay the full wages for the waiting period, but for no more than six days.

Useful links: 

•  Työsuojelu.fi: Young worker 

Read more: 

• Wages for young people and summer employees 
• Summer job checklist – best tips 
• Wages and holiday bonus