Post
by lenegil » Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:34 am
If you're in another country, the rules might vary, but these points generally apply to Finland.
1. Can the ending date of the contract be postponed due to pregnancy?
In Finland, the end date of a fixed-term contract typically cannot be extended or postponed solely due to pregnancy. However, the situation depends on the terms of your contract and any agreements you have with your employer. If you are pregnant and on maternity leave, your contract can end while you're on leave, but the contract’s expiry is not automatically changed or extended because of your maternity.
Regarding salary, during maternity leave, you can receive maternity allowance from Kela (Finnish social insurance institution). This is typically calculated based on your previous salary (for the first 3 months, you may receive full pay or some continuation of your salary depending on your employment contract). After the first 3 months, the amount is calculated based on Kela's formula, which typically involves an income-based allowance.
2. Can you receive both maternity allowance and unemployment allowance?
Generally, you cannot receive both maternity allowance and unemployment benefits at the same time in Finland. However, there are a few details to consider:
If your fixed-term contract ends while you are pregnant or on maternity leave, you would typically be eligible for unemployment benefits once your maternity allowance period ends. The key is that you must be able to prove that you are looking for work and actively available to start a new job once your maternity leave ends.
If your employer provides salary during maternity leave (i.e., if they continue to pay you), this could affect your eligibility for unemployment benefits during that time. Unemployment benefits are typically granted to those who are unemployed and actively seeking work, but maternity leave is considered a different kind of absence.
In practice, many people may receive unemployment benefits once the maternity leave is over, and the full maternity allowance period has passed.
3. Does the trade union pay out any amount for maternity leave or just for unemployment?
In Finland, trade unions typically offer additional support in the form of benefits for unemployment, especially if you are laid off. However, trade unions generally do not pay maternity leave benefits. Instead, the responsibility for maternity leave benefits falls on Kela, the Finnish social insurance institution.
That said, if you are a union member, it’s worth checking if your specific union has any supplementary benefits or support for members who are on maternity leave, although this is uncommon. Unions typically focus on employment-related benefits like unemployment support, compensation during strikes, or legal aid.
