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I need help to support my ability to work
Sometimes you may be in a situation where your chances of getting a job or keeping your job are impaired. You can get help from, for example, job coaching or rehabilitative work activities.
Information about the situation
The term working ability means every person’s individual ability to cope with their work. It is affected by a number of factors, including physical and psychological resources, attitude, and skills. There are various services to help you assess your working ability.
You can carry out a self-assessment of your work ability by completing the Abilitator questionnaire. Assessing work ability may also require a health assessment. In that case, contact the health services in your area. You can also get help in assessing your work ability from the employment official. If you are under 30 years old, you can also use the services of the One-Stop Guidance Center (Ohjaamo).
You should find out what your current state of health is if it has not been checked in a long time or if you feel like it has changed. If you are unemployed, the employment official is responsible for providing you with an examination of your working ability and functional capacity. You need a medical certificate so that you can participate in services promoting work ability.
The state of health of unemployed persons can be ascertained in the health examination of unemployed persons organised by the wellbeing services counties, the state of health of employed persons in occupational healthcare, and the state of health of students in student healthcare.
If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides information and guidance according to your needs, for example on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the smoothness of everyday life.
If you are partially able to work, various services can help you find employment
If your work ability is limited or otherwise impaired by a disability or illness, your employment can be promoted through, for example, multisectoral joint services, or rehabilitation measures. If your ability to work requires changes at your workplace or you need help with certain tasks, your employer may be able to provide financial support to help you make such arrangements. You can promote your chances of getting a job with a large employer by requesting from the employment official a certificate stating that you have been entered in the customer register of employment services as a job seeker with partial work ability.
Rehabilitative work activities can be a suitable solution when you are returning to working life after prolonged unemployment, starting your career, or rehabilitating from an illness or a difficult time in your life. The purpose of rehabilitative work activities is to assist individuals whose unemployment has been prolonged, who have received unemployment benefits or basic social assistance for a certain time period, and who are unable to participate in the services offered by the employment official.
Rehabilitation may help you when the disability or illness complicates your studies, work, or coping at different stages of life.
Rehabilitation is organised by Kela, public health care, occupational health care, municipal social services, disability organisations, transport and accident insurance institutions, and earnings-related pension insurance companies. Kela and the transport and accident insurance institutions can also secure your livelihood when you participate in rehabilitation. They may also cover costs related to participation in rehabilitation.
Vocational rehabilitation can help you with choosing a suitable vocational field, finding employment, and staying in or returning to working life despite your illness. Traffic and accident insurance institutions, work pension companies, and Kela organise legally mandated professional rehabilitation. Access to rehabilitation requires meeting certain requirements.
You can find out from your doctor or Kela which party organises the rehabilitation that you can apply for. Employment service specialists can also help you find out about your possibilities for rehabilitation.
- What is rehabilitation (kela.fi)
- Rehabilitation (kela.fi)
- Vocational rehabilitation (kela.fi)
- Rehabilitation within the earnings-related pension system (tela.fi)
- Verve's Vocational Rehabilitation (verve.fi)
- Medical rehabilitation (stm.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
- Social Rehabilitation (stm.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
- Laki Kansaneläkelaitoksen kuntoutusetuuksista ja kuntoutusrahaetuuksista (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
- Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön asetus lääkinnällisen kuntoutuksen apuvälineiden luovutuksesta (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
Support for maintaining the ability to work
While an illness or disability may reduce your work ability and functional capacity, this does not necessarily mean that you are completely unable to work. You can get a wide range of help to maintain your work ability.
More information
- Työkykytalo (ttl.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
- Diminished work ability (keva.fi)
- Work ability and its significance (tela.fi)
- Yhdenvertaisuuslaki (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
- Yleissopimus vammaisten henkilöiden oikeuksista (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
- TE-live: Kahvilatyöntekijä Antin tarina (youtube.com, in Finnish)
Support for job seeking
You need to be proactive to find a job. You can also use a range of services to help in your job search.
A disability or illness does not usually affect working, getting a job, or choosing a field. However, it can sometimes reduce your possibilities of getting work or keeping your job. When you are choosing a vocation or education, in addition to your interests or predispositions, you must also take into consideration limitations caused by your possible disabilities or illnesses.
While an illness or disability may reduce your working ability and functional capacity, this does not necessarily mean that you are completely unable to work. Your opportunities for working and finding a suitable job are improved by
- a correctly chosen and proportioned job,
- tailored work tasks and environment,
- adequate skills and training, and
- support for employment provided by employment services.
A service specialist at your regional employment service office will help you when you need information about your opportunities for finding work and keeping your job despite a disability or illness. Contact the employment official when considering the answers to the following questions:
- What kind of work or education would suit me?
- Can I continue in my job or should I consider changing careers?
- Who should I contact when I need rehabilitation?
More information
- Work ability and its significance (tela.fi)
- Diminished work ability (keva.fi)
- The house of work ability (ttl.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
- Yhdenvertaisuuslaki (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
- Yleissopimus vammaisten henkilöiden oikeuksista (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
- TE-live: Kahvilatyöntekijä Antin tarina (youtube.com, in Finnish)
Employment and staying in working life can be supported in various ways
All public employment services take special needs for service caused by a disability or illness into consideration. You will not be left alone.
You can discuss matters related to your employment with a professional such as a job coach. The municipal social services can also be included in this discussion.
If your job search has continued for half a year or more, and you have not yet found a job, training, or employment promotion service suitable for you, the employment official will arrange job search discussions with you.
If your job search has continued for half a year or more, and you have not yet found a job, training, or employment promotion service suitable for you, the employment official will arrange job search discussions with you. The purpose of these discussions is to find an in-depth job search service that best advances your situation. An activation plan will be made for you to improve your employment and life management.
If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides information and guidance according to your needs, for example on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the smoothness of everyday life.
You may also need other support and rehabilitation alternatives to get into working life or stay at work.
You should find out what your current state of health is if it has not been checked in a long time or if you feel like it has changed. If you are unemployed, the employment official is responsible for providing you with an examination of your working ability and functional capacity. You need a medical certificate so that you can participate in services promoting work ability.
The state of health of unemployed persons can be ascertained in the health examination of unemployed persons organised by the wellbeing services counties, the state of health of employed persons in occupational healthcare, and the state of health of students in student healthcare.
Rehabilitative work activities can be a suitable solution when you are returning to working life after prolonged unemployment, starting your career, or rehabilitating from an illness or a difficult time in your life. The purpose of rehabilitative work activities is to assist individuals whose unemployment has been prolonged, who have received unemployment benefits or basic social assistance for a certain time period, and who are unable to participate in the services offered by the employment official.
Working conditions can be arranged to correspond to your working ability
Employers have an obligation and often also the desire to make reasonable modifications in the work and working conditions if it will eliminate an impediment to work caused by an injury or illness.
Working as a recipient of a pension or support related to partial working ability
If you wish, you can work and earn a salary at the same time as you receive a pension or support related to partial working ability. In this situation, you need to figure out the earning limits. Earning limits define the amount of salary you can earn without the salary affecting the amount of your pension or allowance. If you want to try returning to work that will exceed your earnings limit, you have the option to put your pension on hold. Leaving the pension on hold means that the payment of the disability pension or partial disability pension is suspended for the duration of your employment relationship.
More information
Organisations to support work ability
Various organisations offer a wide range of support for employment and the ability to work. The experience and knowledge of these actors complement public sector employment services.
From organisations you can get answers to, for example, questions related to working life or studies, if you feel that you belong to their target group. In addition to providing support, many organisations employ people who have challenges with their work ability.
- Finnish Epilepsy Association: Work (epilepsia.fi)
- Invalidiliitto: Työ, opiskelu ja yrittäjyys (invalidiliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Kehitysvammaisten Palvelusäätiö: Työelämä (kvps.fi, in Finnish)
- Kehitysvammaliitto: Työ (kehitysvammaliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Kuuloliitto: Kuulolla työssä (kuuloliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Kuurojen liitto: Työnantajille ja -hakijoille (kuurojenliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Kuurojen Palvelusäätiö sr (kpsaatio.fi, in Finnish)
- Lihastautiliitto: Koulunkäynti ja työelämä (lihastautiliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Live-säätiö: Täältä töihin. Polku työelämään (livesaatio.fi, in Finnish)
- Muistiliitto: Työikäisten muistisairaudet (muistiliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Neuroliitto: Työ (neuroliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Nuorten Ystävät ry: Tukea ja toimintaa (nuortenystavat.fi, in Finnish)
- Näkövammaisten liitto: Työ (nkl.fi, in Finnish)
- Finnish Clubhouse: Tukea työelämään (suomenklubitalot.fi, in Finnish)
- All about cancer: Cancer and employment (allaboutcancer.fi)
- Tukiliitto: Työ ja työtoiminta (tukiliitto.fi, in Finnish)
- Järjestöjen työllisyyspalvelut (vates.fi, in Finnish)
- Verneri.net. Verkkopalvelu kehitysvammaisuudesta: Työ (verneri.net, in Finnish)
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If you are thinking about returning back to the workforce, starting your career or undergoing rehabilitation for an illness or difficult period in your life, rehabilitative work activities can help you get back on track with your career.
The purpose of rehabilitative work activities is to assist individuals whose unemployment has been prolonged, who have received unemployment benefits or basic social assistance for a certain time period, and who are unable to participate in the services offered by the employment official.
Rehabilitative work activities are arranged by your wellbeing service county to help you get back into working life. They can help you discover your strengths and provide structure for your daily life.
It can include workshops arranged by a society or a foundation, or activities arranged by a congregation. Wellbeing service counties can also provide the service themselves. Their purpose is to improve your opportunities for finding employment or educational opportunities, and to provide you with tips for managing your daily life.
The number and types of activities are determined on a case-by-case basis. The period lasts at least three months with 1-4 sessions every week. During the rehabilitative work activity period, you will receive €9 per day as an unemployment benefit and expense allowance. You may also be occasionally entitled to travel compensation.
To participate in rehabilitative work activities, you will need an activation plan. Draft your plan together with your assigned employment services specialist and the social services of your wellbeing service county. If you wish to participate in rehabilitative work activities, you should start by contacting your regional employment service office.
Browse regional services
More information
- Rehabilitative work activities (thl.fi, in Finnish)
- Activation plan (th.fi, in Finnish)
- Rehabilitatite work activities by municipalities (in Finnish)
- Services in rehabilitative work (suomi.fi)
- Listing of workshops (suomi.fi)
- Laki kuntouttavasta työtoiminnasta (finlex.fi, in Finnish)
In the joint service model for multisectoral support to promote employment the employment official, the wellbeing services county, and Kela work together to offer help for your situation. You can receive social and health services, employment services, and rehabilitation services that are suitable for you and that promote your employment.
If you are unemployed and your employment is hindered by, for example, your life situation, health, working and functional ability, or your skills and professional qualifications, you can join a cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment. The employment official, wellbeing services county, or the Social Insurance Institution (Kela) will refer you to become a customer of a cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment. You can ask your regional employment official about access to the service.
You can read about the transfer of employment services to municipalities and how you should act on the regional pages of Job Market Finland. The regional pages also contain contact information provided by the employment officials.
Cross-sectoral joint service promoting youth employment
If you are under 30 years old, you can contact the cross-sectoral joint service promoting youth employment. The joint service provides multidisciplinary advice, guidance, and services related to study opportunities, employment, operational capabilities, and wellbeing.
You can use the joint youth service according to your own needs. You can also use the service point anonymously.
Browse regional services
More information
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)
Job seeking requires personal intiative, but you don't have to do everything on your own. Various services help you in your job search in different life situations.
If you need help with considering education and career options or clarifying your future plans, you should participate in career and career choice guidance, education and training guidance, or career coaching. At the beginning of your job search, you may need to develop your job search skills, in which case you can participate in group job search training or individual job search training. Through a work try-out, you can get to know a new field, or it can support your return to working life after a long absence. If you need to update your skills or are planning to train in a new field, labour market training or RekryKoulutus Recruitment Training can be a good option.
If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides information and guidance according to your needs, for example on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the smoothness of everyday life.
Financial assistance for job search and employment
If you are an unemployed job seeker, the employer can be granted a pay subsidy for your hiring costs. If you are over 55 years old and unemployed as a job seeker, the employer can be granted employment subsidy for job seekers aged 55 or over. When you apply for a job or accept a job as an unemployed person in a location that is far from where you live, you can receive compensation or assistance for travel and accommodation costs or commuting and moving costs.
Read what kind of compensation and subsidies you can get for travel and accommodation costs caused by looking for a job, as well as commuting and moving costs when you accept a job far from your current place of residence as an unemployed person.
This website is part of the European Commission's Your Europe portal. Did you find what you were looking for? Give feedback! (europa.eu)
Wellbeing at work means that you can work healthily, safely and productively. When you feel well, you also feel that your work is meaningful and enjoyable. As an employee, you can have an impact on your wellbeing and that of your working community.
Advancing wellbeing at work is the responsibility of all members of a working community – the employer and employees. The employer is responsible for providing a safe and well-functioning work environment. As an employee, you are responsible for maintaining your skills and your ability to work.
Wellbeing at work consists of personal wellbeing and the general atmosphere in the working community. When you feel well, work is smooth and suitably challenging. Every day is fun, you can achieve your goals, you are supported, and you know you have the required skills.
What can you do as an employee?
- Set straightforward goals for your work with your employer.
- Develop your skills by participating in training provided by your employer, for example.
- Follow instructions and notify your employer of any deficiencies and shortcomings.
- Treat all members of your working community equally.
- Take care of your recovery and health.
- Request or seek help early if you face challenges.
More information
- Työhyvinvointi ja työkyky (ttl.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (tyosuojelu.fi)
Maintaining the ability to work
Taking care of your working ability is a prerequisite for ensuring wellbeing in your work community. There are different methods and practices for maintaining working ability.
The employer is obligated to provide at least preventive occupational healthcare services, including health check-ups, for all its employees who are in an employment or public-service relationship.
Occupational healthcare services work in cooperation with your employer to advance your health and your ability to work.
If an illness or injury prevents you from working, work adaptations can be carried out in your workplace. They mean changes in your job description and tasks to respond to your skills and ability to work, and support them better.
To continue working, changes may be necessary in your workplace. You may also need help in certain tasks.
The employer can receive a subsidy for arranging working conditions. If changes are required in your workplace to support your ability to work, contact your employer and the occupational healthcare service provider.
Rehabilitation may help if an illness or injury makes your work more difficult, or you need support to maintain your ability to work or return to working life.
Support for maintaining the ability to work
An illness or injury may reduce your ability to work and function, but it does not necessarily mean that you are unable to work. Various support and services are available for maintaining your ability to work.
More information
- Work ability and its significance (tela.fi)
- Diminished work ability (keva.fi)
- Työkykytalo (ttl.fi, in Finnish or Swedish)
Occupational safety consists of physical, psychological, and social working conditions.
Occupational safety includes
- safe work environment,
- safeguarding and maintaining employees' work ability, and
- prevention of accidents at work and occupational diseases.
It is the employer's responsibility to familiarise you with the work, provide instructions for safe work, and provide the necessary tools.
As an employee, it is your duty to comply with the employer's regulations and instructions and take care of the safety of yourself and others in your work.