In the workplace, there are sometimes situations where working overtime or extra hours might be necessary. Before agreeing to overtime or additional work, it's important to understand these things.

1 Reasonableness of the workload

If you are negotiating with the employer about changing the job description or taking on additional responsibilities, remember to also discuss how to ensure that the workload remains at a reasonable level. The job description should not be based on continuous additional and overtime work, and occupational safety and health aspects should also be taken into account. Normal working hours should mainly be sufficient to perform the work.

2 The employer takes the initiative

Additional and overtime work always requires the employer’s initiative and approval. For this reason, work that exceeds the working hours carried out voluntarily by the employee on their own initiative is generally not compensable as additional or overtime work. However, the employee’s consent is always required for additional and overtime work. Normally, overtime compensation is paid on the basis of the hours worked and increased. It is only possible to agree on fixed overtime compensation to a limited extent.

3 Talk about excessive stress

If you feel that your workload is too burdensome, discuss the matter with your supervisor as early as possible – a situation will not usually resolve itself. If your workplace has an operating model for harmful stress or early support, it is a good idea to follow these processes when raising the issue.

These tips were provided by Employment Lawyer Salla Viitanen in Tradenomi-magazine 3/2024 (available only in Finnish).

Do you have questions about working hours? As a member, you can ask for help from our employment counseling!