how much damages can I get for harassment, health loss

[Pursuivant]

Ah, you get people put into "enterpreneur ban" and its their nephews cousins classmate running it next and the CEO is some bum they supply with booze

[kick100]

Even if you don't personally receive extra compensation for harassment or whatever, hopefully the company can be shut down or severely fined for breaking the law. They seem to realize that, since you see signs they're scared. For that reason I suspect that if they COULD pay what they owe, they probably would. They're probably looking at bankruptcy if they have to pay all employees what they're actually owed. For me, that wouldn't be good enough. I think the people responsible should also get some kind of ban so that they can't immediately start a new company and perpetuate the old business model. I don't know if directors in Finland go to jail for this kind of cheating, but I think they ought to.

Actually, I am quite sure that the company is not gonna go bankrupt. They've got deep pockets.

[kick100]

Even if you don't personally receive extra compensation for harassment or whatever, hopefully the company can be shut down or severely fined for breaking the law. They seem to realize that, since you see signs they're scared. For that reason I suspect that if they COULD pay what they owe, they probably would. They're probably looking at bankruptcy if they have to pay all employees what they're actually owed. For me, that wouldn't be good enough. I think the people responsible should also get some kind of ban so that they can't immediately start a new company and perpetuate the old business model. I don't know if directors in Finland go to jail for this kind of cheating, but I think they ought to.

They have deep pockets. However the point is not only about mental harassment, it has really affect my health and personal life. How will I get that back if not compensated with money?

[EP]

Wouldn´t it be better if they just payed 60-70 thousand euros they owe you? How would an additional 500-1000 euro help? If money compensates personal life and health, wouldn´t 60-70 thousand help more? Those vacations would have helped a lot more than any money.

[onkko]

Actual claims 60-70K...
So you claim you havent had salary for over years? My friend does well and his salary is 48k year, ordinary people do about 24k year brutto by doing 8 to 16 job if not less.
I dont believe you.
Business tries to rip you that is what i believe and been in it but i dont believe your amounts.

[kick100]

Wouldn´t it be better if they just payed 60-70 thousand euros they owe you? How would an additional 500-1000 euro help? If money compensates personal life and health, wouldn´t 60-70 thousand help more? Those vacations would have helped a lot more than any money.

I am talking about upto a million euros. (3 zeros extra)

[kick100]

Actual claims 60-70K...
So you claim you havent had salary for over years? My friend does well and his salary is 48k year, ordinary people do about 24k year brutto by doing 8 to 16 job if not less.
I dont believe you.
Business tries to rip you that is what i believe and been in it but i dont believe your amounts.

I have had salary but not the correct number of vacation leaves (difference with what I should have got is very large). So if you consider that I have not got either the holiday or its holiday salary & bonus + The overtime added over the years is also large. The total is a tidy sum.

The loss of health is due to loss of leaves and mental harassment. The effects on personal life is also quite evident.


Thanks pls keep your opinions coming.

[rinso]

From your description of the situation I get more and more the feeling that you're entitled to some compensation for extra hours/holidays. But it will be much less than you calculate. Our labour regulations prevent building up those "rights" over multiple years.

Your health problems you have to prove with medical bills. And you have to prove it is because of the working conditions. That is not going to be easy.
As I said before, compensation for non-financial damages is not common in Finland.

Try to make a deal for this extra work and forget about this million bucks. You won't get them.

[AldenG]

I expect that authorities at every step along the way are going to ask why you stayed there so long if it's such a terrible place.

I'm not sure the concept of "hostile work environment" has any kind of legal resonance in Finland. Unlike in the US, you don't go to court to win a jackpot. Instead you buy lottery tickets. If there WERE big punitive fines, they'd be fines paid to the government, not damages paid to you. The government and possibly lawyers are the only ones who get rich off wrong-doing. But especially the government.

But then what do I really know about this. That's just how Finland seems.

[Upphew]

Those amounts you quote make me think about the overtime hours you have done... 'cause company just can't admit that you have done over 250 hours of overtime in a year, or 330. Or they can, but by doing that they would admit a crime.

[Rosamunda]

I agree. Isn't the term "tacit agreement" ? You have demonstrated over the years that you are willing to work in these conditions. At least that is what your employer would argue in court. They will argue that it was your choice not to take your holiday. Unless of course you can show that you filed your vacation requests and they were refused. Do you have any paperwork that can back up your claims?

I think holiday entitlements and overtime are two quite separate things. You cannot mix them up and claim overtime pay because you didn't take your vacation. In fact I think it is illegal for an employer to do that. And harrassment is something else altogether.

How have your colleagues been treated? If they feel the same way as you, you should get your union to help you (easier if there is a group of you).

[Mook]

your salary seems to be quite generous. Unfortunately, people with large salaries tend not to be paid for overtime unless it's specifically agreed. Same goes for geting paid for untaken holiday (or for carrying it over to the next year)

One last thing, HR departments are always inflexible. It'll be easier to reach an agreement with your boss.

Thanks for the comments. Please keep the suggestions coming. It helps a lot.

Well the salary is not generous. The overtimes are huge and the holidays have accumulated over several years. So the holiday and holiday bonus have become a huge component along with the interest added. So if I do not take holiday now and quit the company they have to pay for not only the holiday and holiday bonus but also for the holiday (which I have not taken).
.

The thing is that at your level overtime is not paid - normally you would just get "time off in lieu". So, there aren't any hourly rate multipliers.

the last thing to remember is that if you take this to court, you will make yourself unemployable. No one wants to hire a troublemaker. Make a deal with the company and make a graceful exit.

[Rick1]

How much damages can I claim?

How much damage do you really have?
If they pay you the correct overtime and so, it will be difficult to claim damages you don't have.

My actual claims are around 60-70 thousand euros.

How much should I ask for mental harassment? How to go about it.

Of course I want to ask damages/sue them for between 500-1200 thousand euros. I do not know if that is feasible or OK?

Well they have here a very commited, very reliable lawyer Mr. Z.Sundström who has just been busy with some cases of his own and probably will make some time for you with these claims you want to make (here in Finland )

You have been living in a world which 99 percent of the Finns do not know and you expect that there is a law (or judge) who will help you? Wake up and be happy what you get (in these times).

To get rid of people here in Finland is almost as easy as in the states (if there is no contract) So unless you have a good contract it is termination period and good buy if they want.

[raamv]

I sense a troll!!

[jas_rho]

Go to your union for advice. That's what they are there for and that's why you pay your dues. They have the lawyers that know all about this and know what you are entitled to and your rights. Put your energy there. And like everyone here says, this isn't wonderful USA where you can sue for tripping over your own shoelace. You aren't gonna get millions but perhaps you are entitled to something. Good luck