Changes to unemployment security sanctions
- News
The procedure concerning the consequences of neglecting the obligations of job seekers will be simplified. The legislative amendment will enter into force on 1 March.
As a job seeker, you have various obligations. You must participate in the job seeker’s service process and complete the tasks that have been agreed on in the employment plan or an equivalent plan.
Failure to fulfil your obligations without a valid reason may affect your right to unemployment security. The employment authority will tell you how neglecting the measures without a valid reason may affect your unemployment security.
Unemployment security sanctions due to negligence
If you neglect a binding measure related to your job search, you may be issued a waiting period, i.e., an unpaid waiting period or an obligation to work. An obligation to work means that you must be employed or participate in a service that promotes employment for a specified period.
From the beginning of March onward, the sanction system will have two stages. The first forgotten appointment or neglect will result in a seven-day waiting period. If you neglect your obligations again within 12 months, you will lose your right to unemployment security until you meet your six-week obligation to work.
The changes that will enter into force at the beginning of March emphasise your responsibility to actively seek employment and participate in the services offered to you. The changes will make it easier to reinstate your right to unemployment security, as the duration of the obligation to work will be reduced from 12 weeks to six weeks.
You can read more about the new text message reminders to be introduced on 1 March in a news article at Job Market Finland. In the future, the employment authority will remind the job seeker of approaching deadlines for binding measures by text message.