Young worker

Legislation on young employees seeks to safeguard their mental and physical growth and development. This includes regulations governing the length and time of work shifts that may be assigned to young employees.

An employer may hire any person who is at least 15 years old and has completed compulsory education. On certain conditions an employee aged 14 years may perform light work that is not injurious to health or development and does not disrupt school attendance.

The employment contract of a person under 15 years of age may be concluded by a parent or guardian, or by the young person concerned with the permission of a parent or guardian.

Read more about laws protecting employees under 18 years of age on the website of the Occupational Safety and Health authority in Finland.