Questions and answers on the ban on overtime and shift rescheduling

1. Why have industrial action been taken?

The purchasing power of employees has weakened significantly in recent years. Although inflation has slowed down, the actual increase in prices and the increase in the cost of living are unavoidable facts. Employees have fallen into a wage gap that must now be filled.

The employer does not seem to understand the situation of employees. The employer’s unwillingness to make a reasonable solution to achieve a collective agreement has created a situation in which the Finnish Industrial Federation must accelerate negotiations with industrial action to achieve a solution.

2. Who is affected by the overtime ban?

You can see the sector-specific or company-specific limits set for the overtime ban on the industrial action page.

3. When does the overtime ban begin and end?

You can see the sector-specific or company-specific overtime ban dates on the industrial action page.

4. Is the overtime ban legal?

Yes, it is. An overtime ban declared by the union is always a legal industrial action.

5. Can an employer order an employee to work overtime?

No. During the overtime ban declared by the union, the employee does not work overtime.

6. Can the employer dismiss an employee for not complying with the overtime ban?

No. An overtime ban declared by the union is always a legal industrial action. The employee always has the right to refuse to work overtime.

In addition, when the industrial action is carried out by a trade union, the employer does not have the right to dismiss or terminate the employment contract for participating in the industrial action. The Industrial Union is a trade union. The form of the industrial action does not matter.

7. Where can I get more information about the overtime ban?

You can get more information about matters related to the overtime ban from your shop steward and the union’s regional offices and the employment advice service.

The employment advice service’s telephone number is 020 690 447 and the service is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

8. What does the shift change ban mean in practice?

During the ban on shift changes, the confirmed work shift list is followed. The ban on shift changes applies to shift changes proposed by the employer. Changes may be made if the employees can agree on them among themselves according to established practice.