PAM organises info sessions for hair professionals from 7 November – see which one is closest to you
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Come hear and talk about the exceptional situation in the hair industry. Open info sessions will be organised throughout Finland in November.
PAM has always negotiated minimum conditions for hair industry employees with the relevant employer association. A year ago, the Finnish Hairdressers’ Association terminated the collective agreement with these minimum conditions, and was unwilling to negotiate a new one. From August onwards, PAM has been trying to negotiate a new collective agreement with Service Sector Employers PALTA, the association that many of the larger companies in the field have transferred to.
Due to these exceptional circumstances, employees in the hair industry currently have no valid collective agreement which would stipulate, for example, minimum salaries for various duties, salary for absences due to illness, and any holiday bonuses.
During November, PAM will organise several events offering employees the opportunity to discuss the situation in the field, to receive advice and to express their views.
“Employees may be in very different situations, so it’s a good idea to come hear more information and talk about your position,” says Ulla Moilanen, collective bargaining specialist at PAM.
The events geared for hair professionals are organised at 13 different locations in Finland starting on 7 November.
“The events are open to everyone. You don’t have to be a PAM member, everyone who works in the hair industry is welcome!” Moilanen adds.
Help from the advice hotline
If you want more information or have questions about issues in the hair industry, please call the PAM hair industry hotline. The service is available on weekdays between 10 am and 3 pm at 044 716 8692.
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to sign a new employment contract now that the collective agreement for the hair industry is no longer valid?
There is no need to sign a new employment contract after the termination of the collective agreement even if the contract refers to the collective agreement.
Can my employer increase the number of weekly working hours from 37.5 to 40?
The employer cannot extend your hours without your consent. If your employment contract specifies 37.5 hours per week, the employer must respect the contract.
Can my employer change my salary from monthly to commission-based?
The employer cannot change the mode of payment specified in the employment contract without agreeing with you. This includes changing your payment from monthly to commission-based.
Can my employer require a doctor’s certificate for my absence due to illness if other employees at my workplace don’t have to present any documentation in similar situations?
The employer must treat all employees equally. Practices surrounding absences due to illness cannot vary from one employee to the next without a justified reason.
Can the employer pay an evening bonus to just some employees?
No. The employer must treat all employees equally. A new employee is entitled to the same working conditions as other employees in the company.
The employer is distributing instructions for new working conditions. Do I have to sign the instructions?
You don’t have to sign any instructions on new working conditions issued by the employer.
My employer has extended my period of notice in case I terminate my employment contract myself. Is this possible?
When an employee terminates an employment contract that was concluded until further notice, the period of notice is as follows:
- 14 days when the employment has lasted no more than five years
- one month when the employment has lasted more than five years
- The employer cannot change the period of notice without agreeing this with you.