The Labour Court has issued decisions on the issue of fixed-term employment relationships of two professors
There has been a disagreement between Uniarts Helsinki and the organisation representing employees, the Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals, regarding the grounds of the fixed-term nature of the employment relationship of two professors of Uniarts Helsinki. The fixed-term contracts were signed in 2016.
The Labour Court has issued its decision on the matter on 28 December 2020, having found that the nature of a teaching task in the arts sector may constitute a justification for a fixed-term employment contract, but the employer must specify on a case-by-case basis why a fixed-term contract is required. According to the Labour Court, there were insufficient grounds for fixed-term contracts regarding the tasks of the professors in question. For this reason, the Labour Court finds that these employment relationships are permanent. Uniarts Helsinki will act in accordance with the decision.
It has considered that the nature of the teaching role in the field of art may constitute a basis for a fixed-term contract, but the employer must specify on a case-by-case basis why, in that particular task, the achievement of the objective of specialities in the field requires the contract to be fixed.
The Labour Court finds that Uniarts Helsinki has had an acceptable objective to meet the changing needs associated with the special characteristics of the arts sector, as well as ensuring the development of the quality of teaching tasks in the arts sector, the up-to-date nature of teaching, and artistic renewal. During January, the university management will review the decisions of the Labour Court and consider the impact they will have on the implementation of the career system and on fixed-term academic tasks. More information on the effects of the Labour Court decision will be provided in the beginning of February.
The university management remains committed to the implementation of the career system and believes that the system will provide academic staff an equal, transparent and internationally competitive career development path. The aim is for the employer and employee representatives to continue discussions of the career system during 2021.
Edited December 30, 2020. The second paragraph’s sentence has been edited into: The Labour Court has issued its decision on the matter on 28 December 2020, having found that the nature of a teaching task in the arts sector may constitute a justification for a fixed-term employment contract, but the employer must specify on a case-by-case basis why a fixed-term contract is required.
Further information
Kaarlo Hildén
Rector
+358 40 710 4312
Riikka Mäki-Ontto
Director of HR and Services
+358 500 806 161