Finland trials reduced working hours for night shift healthcare workers

Three Finnish wellbeing services counties—Kainuu, Päijät-Häme, and North Ostrobothnia—are participating in a pilot program to reduce working hours for staff performing regular night shifts. The trial, scheduled to run from September 1, 2026, to October 30, 2027, will reduce weekly working hours from 38 hours and 15 minutes to 36 hours.

The initiative is part of the 2025–2028 social and healthcare sector collective agreement. The goal is to investigate whether shorter hours improve employee well-being, reduce sick leave, and lower staff turnover. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health will conduct a study to evaluate the trial's impact and identify factors that facilitate or hinder its success.

Participating units range from intensive care to nursing homes and home care services. The agreement was reached between municipal and wellbeing services employers and major public sector unions, including JUKO, JAU, and SOTE.