Volunteering while unemployed – always notify the employment authority
Many unemployed people wonder whether they can use their time to help others or contribute to the common good. As an unemployed jobseeker, you can generally engage in unpaid, ordinary voluntary work or community volunteer activities without losing your unemployment benefits. However, the work must not delay or prevent you from seeking or accepting full-time […]
How does the way a lay-off is implemented affect the unemployment benefit?
There are several different forms of lay-offs, each with their specific impact on daily allowance payouts. Furthermore, the form of a lay-off has an impact on the final amount of daily allowance. Lay-off options: full-time ⇒ earnings-related allowance is paid for lay-off days shortening of weekly working hours of a full-time job by full […]
Members Value A-kassa’s Digital Services – but the Need for Personalised Support Is Growing
According to A-kassa’s latest member survey, members remain satisfied with the fund’s services. Particular praise was given to A-kassa’s digital services, which received high ratings for ease of use, smooth functionality and professional expertise. At the same time, members increasingly wish to receive personalised guidance in situations where their career path or employment relationship differs […]
Number of Earnings-Related Allowance Recipients at A-kassa Fell by Almost One Fifth – No Signs of Rising Long-Term Unemployment
The number of recipients of earnings-related unemployment allowance from A-kassa continued to decline sharply in May and was nearly one fifth lower than a year earlier. At the same time, the number of people who reached the maximum benefit period has not increased, suggesting that long-term unemployment among A-kassa members is not on the rise. […]
Midsummer affects service hours and payment dates
Midsummer causes changes to the unemployment fund’s service hours and benefit payment dates. Telephone service and eService chat On Thursday 18 June, we serve as usual otherwise, but the eService chat and the telephone line for authorities will close at 14:00. On Friday 19 June, customer service is closed. eService The eService is […]
Starting Military Service? Don’t Cancel Your Unemployment Fund Membership
Every July, many young people begin their military service. Military service changes everyday life for several months. If you have been working before your service begins and have joined an unemployment fund, it is worth keeping your membership active during your service. This ensures that both your membership period and any employment condition you have […]
School jobs often end for the summer – how does it affect unemployment security?
Many teachers, school assistants and other school employees see their employment contracts end when pupils begin their summer holiday. Work may continue again in the autumn, but the summer break often means a period of unemployment in practice. There are some specific features of unemployment security in the education sector that are worth understanding well […]
Studying while receiving unemployment benefits becomes easier – Parliament approved legislative amendment
As a member of the Open Unemployment Fund, you will soon be able to study at an open university or an open university of applied sciences more freely than before without losing your unemployment benefit. On 9 June 2026, Parliament approved a legislative amendment aimed at making it easier for unemployed jobseekers to develop their […]
Looking for work abroad and earnings-related unemployment allowance – what should you know?
If you are dreaming of working abroad, you should find out whether you are eligible to take a job-seeking trip abroad while receiving earnings-related allowance. If you travel to another EU/EEA country or to Switzerland to look for a job, your journey is considered a ‘job-seeking trip.’ It can last a maximum of three […]
Studying while receiving unemployment benefits: current rules and proposed changes
As a member of the Unemployment Fund, you may in certain situations study while receiving earnings-related unemployment allowance. The government is currently preparing a legislative amendment that could make it easier in the future to study, particularly through open studies, while receiving unemployment benefits. The government’s proposed legislative amendment could make open studies easier […]
Professional sports usually do not qualify for earnings-related allowance – what should athletes take into account?
An athlete’s work and income may differ significantly from regular paid employment. Professional sports often involve fixed-term contracts, competition and compensation income, sponsorship income, and varying forms of work. These special characteristics of the sports industry are also reflected in how earnings-related allowance is determined. Not all income earned from sports qualifies for earnings-related allowance […]
Phishing is becoming more common – here’s how to handle your matters with A-kassa securely
Handling matters online has become part of everyday life for more and more people, but unfortunately scam attempts and phishing have also increased at the same time. At A-kassa, secure online services are a very important part of our service, but your own choices can also effectively help prevent phishing and misuse. We have compiled […]
The number of earnings-related allowance recipients fell by more than 17 percent compared to last year
In April, the number of recipients of earnings-related allowance from Open Unemployment Fund continued to decline significantly. There were more than 17 percent fewer recipients than a year earlier, and the number of applications also dropped sharply. Data from mid-May indicates that the downward trend is continuing. The number of people receiving allowance during layoffs […]
A job can turn up in unexpected places – skills are transferable across a wide variety of sectors
In our previous job search articles, we explored expanding the scope of your job search, accepting a job farther from home, practical solutions for making it easier to accept work and the competitive landscape of the job market. This time around, we explore how expanding the scope of your job search is not limited […]
Accrual of annual leave and its effect on earnings-related allowance
As summer arrives, it is important to remember how annual holiday accrues and affects the daily allowance and filling out the application. On the A-kassa website, you can find a applying guide on how to fill in the application in different situations – for example, if you become unemployed, are laid off, or work […]
Invitation to the General Meeting of the Open Unemployment Fund
The General Meeting of the Open Unemployment Fund will be held on 26 May 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Helsinki at the premises of A-kassa. Members of the Open Unemployment Fund are entitled to attend the meeting. Participants were requested to register in advance by 27 April 2026. Attendees must register as present at […]
Ascension Day affects service hours and payment dates
Ascension Day causes changes to the unemployment fund’s service hours and benefit payment dates. Telephone service and eService chat Our customer service will be closed on Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May. eService The eService is available as usual, so you can submit applications and send messages on all days. Please note […]
The sporadic nature of a musician’s work – what does it mean for unemployment security?
The work of musicians and other creative professionals is often wide-ranging, and their working schedules and remuneration structures often differ from those in conventional salaried employment. Work can consist of individual performances, fixed-term productions, rehearsal periods, and salaries paid in various ways. These unique characteristics affect how earnings-related allowance is determined. Therefore, creative professionals should […]
What are holiday pay, holiday bonus and holiday compensation?
Holiday pay, holiday bonus and holiday compensation are often used synonymously. However, they are all different concepts that should not be confused with each other. Holiday pay and holiday compensation are based on legislation, whereas holiday bonuses are based on a collective agreement, an employer’s policy or an employment agreement. What’s more, the three holiday […]
EmploymentWebinar on Job Search in Industry
A-kassa organizes free EmploymentWebinars for its members, where you receive practical support for job search and career planning. In May, the webinar is focused on industrial sectors and is organized in cooperation with the Industrial Union. Job Search in Industry – A-kassa and the Industrial Union 18 May 2026 at 11:00–12:00 During the […]