Job alternation leave scheme will shut down in August 2024

Parliament has approved the Government’s proposal to abolish the job alternation leave. The Act will become effective on 1 August 2024. After that date, employees will no longer have the option to go on job alternation leave or to receive job alternation compensation.

Applications for job alternation compensation are submitted to the unemployment fund or to Kela

Full-time employees have had the option of taking a job alternation leave, subject to agreement with their employer. During the leave, they have been entitled to a job alternation compensation, typically granted by their unemployment fund.

Employees wishing to take a job alternation leave and not enrolled in an unemployment fund have had the option of applying to Kela for a job alternation compensation calculated on the basis of the basic unemployment allowance.

How to apply for a job alternation leave in 2024

If you plan to take a job alternation leave in 2024, you must start the leave by 31 July 2024. The maximum duration of the leave is 180 calendar days.

After 31 July 2024, job alternation leaves and job alternation compensations will no longer be available.

To qualify as having started your leave by 31 July 2024, you must submit a job alternation agreement to the TE Office 31 July 2024. Additionally, the person hired for the duration of your leave must be contracted to start by 31 July 2024.

You can be paid a job alternation compensation while on job alternation leave if you meet the qualifying conditions.

If you are a member of an unemployment fund, you should apply for job alternation compensation with the unemployment fund. If you are not a member of an unemployment fund, you can apply for job alternation compensation from Kela calculated on the basis of the basic unemployment allowance.

Additional information for customers

Job alternation compensation and how to apply

TE Services guide (te-palvelut.fi, in Finnish) with information for the person taking a job alternation leave, their employer, and the person hired in their stead

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health press release, 15 February 2024 (in Finnish or Swedish): Government proposes to end adult education allowances, scholarships for vocational qualifications and job alternation leaves(stm.fi)

Government proposal to Parliament for legislation concerning the abolishment of adult education allowances, scholarships for vocational qualifications and job alternation leaves (stm.fi)

All Kela press releases about changes to social security benefits are available at www.kela.fi/changes.