University of Helsinki: Collective agreement of universities is approved – universities leading the way in family leave reform

The new collective agreement is valid from 8 April 2022 to 31 March 2024. In 2022, wages will be increased by a general increase of 1.45% on 1 June 2022 and local instalment by 0.45% on 1 December 2022. The pay rises for 2023 will be agreed by 31 January 2023. If no agreement could be reached on them, the collective agreement can be terminated already on 31 March 2023.

Some textual changes were made to the collective agreement, the most significant of which relate to the family leave reform that will enter into force on 1 August 2022. The employee receives 40 days of the paid pregnancy allowance period. In addition, in the future, both parents will receive paid parental leave of 32 days. The reform of family leave will be partly financed by a change in holiday bonuses. If the employment relationship ends for a reason attributable to the employee, such as resignation, only half of the holiday bonus is paid.

“The agreement on family leave reform is a clear investment in an equal university community that takes into account different life situations,” says Tiia Tuomi, HR Director.

The general collective agreement of the universities was agreed between Sivista, The Trade Union Pro, JUKO and JHL. Approximately 34,000 employees are covered by the collective agreement of universities.