Finland

Abstract

This chapter addresses the current carer leave policies and employment policies in Finland. In 2022, Finnish social and health policies underwent several changes and reforms, all of which also have implications for working carers’ capacity to combine work and care. Analysis of the adequacy of carer leave policies shows that despite existing legislation, working arrangements, available care leaves and future reforms, Finnish working life has elements that make combining paid work and care responsibilities difficult, especially for women. Overall, the available forms of flexibility in work and the possibilities to take leaves in Finland are important and could be transferable to other countries. However, all available policies lean towards a familialistic approach. In Finland, the informal carer is usually a woman, making familialism a gender issue.