Government Proposal Regarding New Working Hours Act

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Maria Wesander, Counsel – Dottir Attorneys Ltd

A government proposal (HE 158/2018) regarding a new Working Hours Act and related acts was presented to the Finnish parliament in September. If enacted, the law will clarify aspects of the management of independent workers; expand on the flexible working hours scheme; establish a statutory method for accounting for working-time; and amend the current law on period-based work and regular overtime, including on the required consent for additional and overtime work, as well as the scope of such work. Maximum working hours and minimum rest periods based on the EU’s Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) are also proposed.

Government Proposal Regarding Privacy in Working Life Presented to Parliament

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Author: Maria Wesander, Counsel – Dottir Attorneys Ltd

A government proposal (HE 97/2018) to amend the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Working Life (759/2004) was presented to the Finnish parliament in July and is expected to be approved in the autumn of 2018. The main purpose of the proposal is to ensure that Finnish legislation is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679) and, to the extent possible, to maintain the present legislation regarding employees’ privacy rights in working life. It also proposes minor changes regarding employers’ duties relative to the collection of employees’ personal data, the processing of health-related information, and camera surveillance.