What effect does corona­virus have on workplaces?

On 16 March 2020, the Finnish Govern­ment declared a state of emergency for the first time since the Second World War. The corona­virus pandemic demands extraor­di­nary measures to protect people and keep the country functioning.

15.4.2020

The measures have an effect on working places of the Industrial Union members, too. Everyone who can is encou­raged to work from home in order to diminish the risk of infec­tion, but with industrial jobs this is often not possible. If agreed with the employer working from home, then pay should remain the same as it is normally.

A fear of becoming ill or sick is not reason enough to stay home from work. This is only possible if agreed with the employer. In normal cases staying at home through personal choice is not paid.

If the employer forbids an employee to come to work, a normal wage or salary must be paid.

Even in times of a pandemic emplo­yers can not unila­te­rally reduce, move or withdraw approved annual leave. All changes need the accep­tance of the employee.

WHAT IS QUARANTINE?

Infected people might be required to go into quaran­tine. This means isola­tion from other people, usually at home, for a certain time. The decision is made by a doctor who is respon­sible for infec­tious disease control.

Kela, the Social Insurance Insti­tu­tion of Finland can pay sickness allowance for those emplo­yees in quaran­tine. To receive this, isola­tion is required and going to work is not allowed. A doctor’s order is neces­sary for such a quarantine.

The allowance is as much as the loss of earnings. Quaran­tine is not the same thing as the recom­men­da­tion of the Govern­ment to stay at home for two weeks after retur­ning to Finland from abroad.

TEMPORARILY LAY-OFFS AND REDUNDANCY

A big number of tempo­rary lay-offs is to be expected, and there is even the possi­bi­lity of redun­dancies (losing one’s job permanently).

On 18 March, the labour market organi­sa­tions agreed that in these excep­tional circums­tances the normally required two weeks negotia­tion time for tempo­rary lay-offs should be cut to five days in the private sector.

The law has now been amended accor­dingly and the Industrial Union has made similar changes in its collec­tive agree­ments. These changes will last until the tempo­rary changes in the labour legis­la­tion remain in effect, which is until the end of June this year.

If an employer hires new staff, they have an obliga­tion to offer jobs first to those former emplo­yees made redun­dant from similar jobs. Now, in the amended law and Industrial Union collec­tive agree­ments, this time has been extended tempo­ra­rily to nine months from the previous four to six months.

Those facing tempo­rary lay-offs can get unemplo­y­ment benefit from the Industrial Union unemplo­y­ment fund. The Union Fund will help in case of redun­dancies, too. Please see details on their web page. The infor­ma­tion is also in English.

The Fund says that it is prepared for situa­tions caused by the virus. They are ready to handle a growing number of applica­tions and their own finances are solid.

UNION CANCELS SEVERAL EVENTS

As public gathe­rings are likely to increase the risk of infec­tion, the Industrial Union has cancelled all events and training until the end of June. For the time being, the Union regional offices will not give face-to-face member services.

The situa­tion is changing all the time and the changes can be dramatic and quick. It is good to follow of all official guidance for the latest information.

Finnish insti­tute for health and welfare.

TEXT HEIKKI JOKINEN