Were you let go or temporarily laid off? Do as follows

Register in the työmarkkinatori.fi online service on the first day of your unemployment or temporary lay-off, at the latest. This is very important because you are only eligible for unemployment benefits once you have registered as an unemployed jobseeker. 

Log in to Tehy e-services and make sure that you are a member of an unemployment fund. 

Apply for unemployment benefits with the unemployment fund when you have been unemployed or temporarily laid-off for at least two weeks. Monitor the progress of your application online.

Remember to report your unemployment or temporary lay-off to Tehy in the e-services. If you are unemployed or laid off, you do not need to pay membership fees. Read more in Finnish: Ei palkkaa, ei jäsenmaksua.

Being laid off temporarily means that the employee’s work is stopped and pay is suspended for a period of time. Employees that have been temporarily laid off have certain rights that you should know about. The employer is also obliged to offer employees work that they are able to perform during the lay-offs. 

Read instructions concerning lay-offs: 

Start and end of a temporary lay-off (in Finnish)

Working during a lay-off (in Finnish)

Interruption and continuance of a temporary lay-off (in Finnish)

Pay and leave accumulation during temporary lay-offs (in Finnish)

See our instructions if cooperation negotiations are held at your workplace: What do social welfare and healthcare professionals need to know about cooperation negotiations? (in Finnish)

If you are a student member of Tehy, check that you are also a member of the unemployment fund. You can check it in the e-services of the unemployment fund at WebKassa. Only as a member of the unemployment fund will you ensure that your unemployment benefits are better than basic security. If you are not a member of Tehy yet, join now. 

Your fund membership starts when you have applied for fund membership and start gainful employment along with your studies. In this case, you work towards the work requirement that must be met to be eligible for earnings-related daily allowance. Read more about the work requirement. 

Participate in Tehy’s student activities or the activities of your own professional branch. Networking can help you find work opportunities that have not been advertised yet. 

Temporary substitute jobs and gig work can provide temporary work and improve your earnings. Temporary work enables you to demonstrate your competence and may lead to permanent work.

Remember that you are completing a degree in an important field! There is a labour shortage in the social care, healthcare and education sector and professionals in these fields will be in high demand in the future.

Take advantage of our free online training courses and events that we offer to Tehy members. You can see all the training options in the training and event calendar. 

Join Tehy’s networks and divisions. You will become part of a professional community where you can share experiences and receive peer support from colleagues. You can join networks and divisions in Tehy’s e-services. 

Update your CV and highlight your skills. If you are unemployed, e.g. the employment authority can help you with writing your CV and job application.

Participate in further training, if possible, and develop your skills. Always remember to talk to employment authorities before applying for education to ensure your eligibility for benefits and to receive clear instructions.