Unemployment rate and probation period

CzRanito · Post by **CzRanito** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:15 am

Hi,

I read a lot of stuff about high unemployment in Finland (and therefore low chance for a foreigner to get hired), but from some statistics I found it seems that the unemployment rate goes down every year since 2004. In my country it's about 5%, and I can say that most of them are ppl who don't want to work, and just misuse the social system. So, is it really that bad ?

And another question - I read that the probation period at work (first 3 months, I guess) is NOT PAID...This isn't true, is it ?

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Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:11 pm

Our government has habit of cleaning statistics by not counting anyone unemployed who is in any kind of course (and if you don't take the offered course, byebye unemployment moneys..). And remember the old saying "lies, damn lies, statistics".

About probation perioid: of course they can offer a deal where they do not pay... but who would put their name to that kind of contract? Would you mind telling where you read that?

CzRanito · Post by **CzRanito** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:40 pm

I read about it somewhere on this forum, but it was probably related to some practising work during studying, I'm not sure now. It's good to hear it's not a common practice in Finland

Oh and one more question - how much vacation is most common to have ?

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:16 pm

Unemployment in Finland is about 5 or 6 % (according to some statistical method).
For foreigners it is about 20 to 25 % (same method)
But it also strongly depends on location.
Outside the greater Helsinki area everything looks worse.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:14 pm

different things
- students have mandatory work practice, depending on school - some companies like to exploit this and offer unpaid "practice"... makes motivated workers...
- if you quit your job or you're fired and go ask for dole you get 3 months "quarantine", you only get money straight after 7 days if you have been laid off
- going for a new job you have 3-4 months probation period you or the employer can quit without notice, after that the 2week/1month start to run. as for salary it might be in some places you get a lower salary as you are being trained, but it depends on the job really.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:15 pm

rinso wrote: Outside the greater Helsinki area everything looks worse.

Somewhere in NE they get villages with 40% unemployment in an upswing

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:14 pm

CzRanito wrote:how much vacation is most common to have ?

2 days/month for first year, 2,5 after that. Oh, and its not common, its the law: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2005/20050162

CzRanito · Post by **CzRanito** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:10 pm

Upphew wrote:2 days/month for first year, 2,5 after that

Sounds good, thanks !

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:17 am

CzRanito wrote:And another question - I read that the probation period at work (first 3 months, I guess) is NOT PAID...This isn't true, is it ?

If you quit or resign..then it is 3 months, no further questions asked!!

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:24 am

tummansininen wrote:You can massage statistics any way you like.

There are quite a few countries who do not include people in unemployment statistics when they only have 1 hour of work a week (even if they are looking to increase to 40).

There are also a lot that do not include parents staying home with their children as unemployed.

As someone who has worked with unemployed people (granted not in Finland, but anyway) I can tell you that it's a minority who truly don't want to work. Of course there are people who just stumble through week to week the same as last week and don't make much effort, but MOST people who do find work prefer staying in work to being unemployed... so I don't think it's accurate to say that most unemployed are just lazy. Keep in mind that the media are the ones that promote that idea. You never hear news reports of the people who've been going to interviews and sending out applications for months, trying really hard to get work...

I really dont know what the @#$% qualifies your to answer any question relating to the situation in Finland when you are sitting down under ( and just being here for a couple of seasons at most). You are really painting a Grim picture for immigrants than a realistic one..
I know of many a real situation for which I have helped Finns and Foreigners alike who have attained a promising status ( meaning getting their company funded)..So Stop pretending to be in Finland and give basic advice...
Just cos you and your spouse cant survive doenst mean that everyone else cannot and there ARE a lot of immigrants that come here without FF and survive..

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