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.

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 TE Office or a local government trial. If you are under 30 years old, you can also use the services of the One-Stop Guidance Center (Ohjaamo).

The Abilitator is a free self-assessment method of work ability and functioning for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs.

Abilitator

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 TE Office or local government pilot 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 municipality, the state of health of employed persons in occupational healthcare, and the state of health of students in student healthcare.

Your TE Office or local government pilot expert has the responsibility to direct you to services that are appropriate for your working ability and ability to function. 

TE Offices employ designated working ability coordinators that help employers employ people with partial working ability and support job seekers in matters related to working ability and finding employment. Working ability coordinators are there to support you in all stages of finding employment and staying employed. If you are a customer of a local government pilot, your home municipality will support you in matters related to your working ability and finding employment. Telephone services are also available. 

Work Ability Coordinators at the TE Offices (toimistot.te-palvelut.fi)⁠

If you are under 30, visiting a One-Stop Guidance Centre can help you get started with assessing your work ability. The One-Stop Guidance Centre will give you information and guidance based on your needs in matters related to, for example, your studies, finding employment and coping with everyday challenges. 

The One-Stop Guidance Centers (ohjaamot.fi)⁠

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 TE Office or a local government trial a certificate stating that you have been entered in the customer register of TE services as a job seeker with partial work ability.

You may have the opportunity to use the cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment, known as TYP, if you are struggling to find employment due to difficulty coping, limited ability to function or otherwise reduced work ability. 

Cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment (TYP)

Rehabilitative work activities may be an appropriate solution if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time and are returning to working life, starting a career, or recovering from an illness or difficult life circumstances. Rehabilitative work activities are intended for people who are unable to participate in the services offered by TE services. 

Rehabilitative work activities

Rehabilitation may be useful if a disability or illness is making your studies, your work or coping with different stages in life difficult. 

Rehabilitation services are organised by Kela, public health care, occupational health care, municipal social services, disability organisations, traffic and accident insurance institutions, and authorised pension companies. Kela and traffic and accident insurance institutions also secure your livelihood for the period they spend organising or reimbursing comprehensive rehabilitation. 

Vocational rehabilitation can help you choose an appropriate profession, find employment, stay employed and return to employment, regardless of your illness. Traffic and accident insurance institutions, authorised pension companies, and Kela organise statutory vocational rehabilitation. To receive vocational rehabilitation, you need to meet the stipulated requirements. 

You can ask your doctor or Kela which organisations’ rehabilitation services you may be eligible for. Your TE Office or local government expert can also help you determine where you may be able to get rehabilitation. 

Finding or keeping a job may require changes at your workplace. You may also need help with certain tasks at work. 

Employers have the responsibility and often also the desire to make reasonable adjustments to duties and working conditions if it eliminates detriments to work caused by disabilities or illnesses. 

Employers can be granted a subsidy for arranging working conditions. To find out if an employer would be eligible to receive a subsidy for arranging working conditions if they hire you, talk to your TE Office or local government pilot expert. You can also raise the matter with an occupational health care professional if you are already employed and your current employer needs to arrange working conditions. It is a good idea to let your employer know if they are eligible for the subsidy. 

Subsidy for arranging working conditions

As a TE services customer, you can request a certificate from your TE Office or local government pilot that proves that you have been registered as a job seeker with partial work ability in the TE services customer register. The purpose of the certificate is to make it easier for job seekers with partial working ability to find employment with major employers. Once you have received the certificate, deliver it to the employer. 

Todistus suurtyönantajalle osatyökykyisyydestä (vates.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

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 TE Services or the local government pilot.

A specialist at your local TE Office or the local government pilot will help you when you need information about your opportunities for finding work and keeping your job despite a disability or illness. Contact the TE Office or the local government pilot 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

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 TE Office or the local government pilot will arrange job search discussions with you.

A specialist at your local TE Office or local government pilot is responsible for referring you to services suitable for your working ability and functional capacity.

TE Offices also employ work ability coordinators who help employers hire persons with partial working ability and support job seekers in matters related to work ability and employment. This means that the work ability coordinator will support you at all stages related to finding employment or staying in working life.

If you are a customer of a local government pilot, your municipality of residence will support you in matters related to work ability and employment.

TE Office’s telephone services are also available to you.

Work ability coordinators (toimistot.te-palvelut.fi)⁠

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 TE Office or the local government pilot 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.

Career choice, career guidance, and education advisory services help you find options that are right for you, for instance, if you are unsure which industry would suit your work ability. The services may also be helpful if your current job or profession is no longer suitable for you, or you want to look for new kinds of tasks for other reasons.

If you are aged under 30, a visit to a One-Stop Guidance Center can help you get started with identifying your working ability. The One-Stop Guidance Center provides you with information and guidance on matters related to studying, finding employment, and the workings of everyday life.

One-Stop Guidance Center Ohjaamo (ohjaamot.fi)⁠

The job search training process will teach you the skills that you need to look for work independently and in a goal-oriented manner. In career coaching, you will get information, counselling, guidance and support for clarifying your vocational guidance and career options, applying for education and developing working life competencies.

A job coach will help you personally when you are looking for a job that matches your work ability.

Job coaching

A work try-out allows you to test how stressful a job is and find out whether it matches your work ability.

Work try-out

A pay subsidy is a form of financial support that TE Services can grant to an employer to cover the salary costs of an unemployed job seeker and as compensation for the time spent on work supervision. Your employer may also be granted a pay subsidy if you have a disability or illness that affects your ability to cope with your work tasks.

Discuss with a specialist at your TE Office or local government pilot whether the employer could receive a pay subsidy for hiring you. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to the employer when you are applying for a job.

When agreeing on work covered by a pay subsidy with your employer, explain whether you are a TE Office or a local government pilot customer. The employer needs this information for submitting an application for a pay subsidy.

If you find employment supported by a pay subsidy in your municipality of residence, i.e. the municipality is the applicant for the pay subsidy or the pay subsidy is funded by the European Social Fund, the pay subsidy is granted by the TE Office.

Pay subsidy to support job seeking

The Abilitator is a free self-assessment method for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs.

Abilitator

 

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 TE Office or local government pilot 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 municipality, the state of health of employed persons in occupational healthcare, and the state of health of students in student healthcare.

You may have an opportunity to access a cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment (TYP), if you are struggling to find employment due to problems with life management or limitations in your functional capacity, or if your work ability has otherwise decreased.

Cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment (TYP)

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 TE Office or local government pilot projects.

Rehabilitative work activities

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. An expert at your TE Office or local government pilot can also help you find out about your possibilities for rehabilitation.

Työkanava Oy on valtion omistama yhtiö, joka työllistää kaikkein vaikeimmassa asemassa olevia osatyökykyisiä henkilöitä. Yhtiö palkkaa työntekijät palvelukseensa työsuhteeseen ja välittää heidän työpanostaan yrityksille, järjestöille, julkisyhteisöille ja yksityishenkilöille, jotka tarvitsevat työntekijöitä.

Jotta voit hakeutua Työkanavan palvelukseen, sinun täytyy ilmoittautua TE-palveluihin työttömäksi työnhakijaksi. TE-toimiston tai kuntakokeilun asiantuntija arvioi soveltuvuuttasi Työkanavassa työskentelyyn laissa määriteltyjen kriteerien perusteella. Päätöksen soveltuvuudestasi Työkanavaan tekee TE-viranomainen. Et voi hakeutua itsenäisesti Työkanavan palvelukseen.

As a client of TE Services, you can ask your local TE Office or local government pilot for a certificate that indicates that you have been entered into the customer register of the TE Office as a job applicant with partial working ability. The purpose of the certificate is to make it easier for job seekers with partial working ability to find employment with large employers. Once you have received the certificate, submit it to the employer.

 

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.

If issues such as illness or disability prevent you from doing your work, your workplace can make adjustments to your job. Adjustments refer to changes at work that involve modifying your job description to better correspond to and support your expertise and working ability.

Ways of adapting work to fit the employee

Getting a job or keeping it can require changes at the workplace. You might also need help in some work tasks.

A subsidy may be granted to the employer for the task of arranging working conditions. Discuss with an expert in your TE Office or local government pilot whether your employer could receive the subsidy for arranging working conditions if they are paying you a wage.

You can discuss the matter with your occupational health care provider if you are already employed and feel that changes should be made at your workplace to support your work ability. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to your employer.

Subsidy for arranging working conditions

 

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.

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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 TE Office or local government pilot projects.

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 TE Office or local government pilot and the social services of your wellbeing service county. If you wish to participate in rehabilitative work activities, you should start by contacting the TE Office of your residential area.

More information

TYP is a model in which TE Offices, wellbeing service counties, and Kela cooperate to provide you with help in your current situation.

You may be able to benefit from the cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment, known as TYP, if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time. TYP may be just the right service for you if the difficulties you are facing in finding employment are not just the result of a lack of jobs or skills and you have difficulty coping or limited ability to function. The service may also be able to help if your work ability is reduced for another reason. 

TYP is a model in which TE Offices, wellbeing service counties, and Kela cooperate to find a solution to your situation. The service allows you to access services provided by different authorities in one place. TYP may be able to give you access to the social, health, employment, and rehabilitation services you need. While you are using the service, you will have the opportunity to consider training, education, and work opportunities with the help of a professional. The service providers will work with you to create a multidisciplinary employment plan. 

Your TE Office, wellbeing service county, or Kela can guide you through becoming a TYP customer. You can ask your TE Office or local government about accessing the service. 

More information

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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.

Career choice, career guidance, and education advisory services help you to reflect on your educational and career options and to clarify your plans.

In career coaching, you will get information, counselling, guidance, and support for clarifying your vocational guidance and career options, applying for education, and developing working life competencies.

Career coaching

The job search training process will teach you the skills that you need to look for work independently and in a goal-oriented manner.

Job search training

A job coach will help you personally when you are looking for a job that suits you. With the guidance of the coach, you can highlight your competence and strengths in the labour market. When you have found a suitable job, the job coach can help you get started at your new workplace.

Job coaching

To help figure out your options in choosing a profession and career path, you can use the work try-out to familiarise yourself with working life. A work try-out can also be used to support your return to working life after a long absence.

Work try-out

Labour market training is training acquired by TE Services that is planned and implemented in cooperation with educational institutions. In addition to labour market training, you can apply for recruitment, targeted or change training. They are organised as cooperation between TE Services and employers.

Labour market training offers education and training that promotes your employment and vocational qualification. It can be to complete vocational qualification, or a further or a specialist vocational qualification, a vocational qualification module, further or continuing education, entrepreneur training, or integration training for immigrants.

Are you looking for a job, but you do not have a suitable education and you do not want to complete a degree that requires years of study? In RekryKoulutus Recruitment Training, you will acquire skills that suit the employer's needs and will be employed by the organization at the end of the training. The trainings are implemented in cooperation between TE Services and employers. They combine theoretical studies completed at the educational institution and learning on the job in the company that organizes the training.

Recruitment Training is implemented in several different fields. The trainings are aimed at job seekers who are suitable for the job they are applying for and are motivated to train in the field. Some trainings require previous skills. However, in the majority of trainings, students are trained in a new field from the basics, and you are not required to have previous skills. If you have just graduated or are returning to work after, for example, parental leave, Recruitment Training may be just the right option for you.

See what kind of Recruitment Trainings are currently accepting students.

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. 

The One-Stop Guidance Centers (ohjaamot.fi)⁠

The Abilitator is a free self-assessment method of work ability and functioning for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs. 

Abilitator

If you are an unemployed job seeker at a TE Office or local government pilot, 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 in a TE Office or local government pilot, 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.

A pay subsidy is a form of financial support that the TE Office or local government pilot can grant to an employer to cover the salary costs of an unemployed job seeker and as compensation for the time spent on work supervision. Your employer may also be granted a pay subsidy if you have a disability or illness that affects your ability to cope with your work tasks. 

Discuss with a TE Office or local government pilot specialist whether your employer could receive a pay subsidy for hiring you. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to the employer when you are applying for a job. 

When agreeing on work covered by a pay subsidy with your employer, explain whether you are a TE Office or a local government pilot customer. The employer needs this information for submitting an application for a pay subsidy. 

If you find employment supported by a pay subsidy in your municipality of residence, i.e. the municipality is the applicant for the pay subsidy or the pay subsidy is funded by the European Social Fund, the pay subsidy is granted by the TE Office.

Pay subsidy to support job seeking

The purpose of the subsidy is to promote the employment of those aged 55 or over by improving their professional or entrepreneurial skills. The subsidy is granted and paid to the employer, but the essential part of granting it is the service needs of the unemployed job seeker.

The employment subsidy requires that the unemployed job seeker to be employed has reached the age of 55 and has been unemployed for at least 24 months during the 28 months immediately preceding the granting of the employment subsidy.

Discuss with a TE Office or local government pilot specialist whether your employer could receive a employment subsidy for hiring you. If the subsidy can be granted, you should mention it to the employer when you are applying for a job. 

Employment subsidy for those aged 55 or over

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.

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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?

  • Agree 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

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.

Ways of adapting work to fit the employee

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.

Subsidy for arranging working conditions

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

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.

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