Employees with partial work ability

A person with partial work ability can be a qualified, skilled and motivated employee when their tasks and working conditions are adapted to their needs. Adaptations do not always mean additional costs. 

When hiring an employee with partial work ability,

• the employee can draw on their experiences and help you find new operating practices or develop new products and services.
• you can meet your social responsibilities as an entrepreneur. Your company’s image and attractiveness may improve when you gain a reputation as a good and responsible employer.

Read the Recruiting an employee guide for instructions on hiring a person with partial work ability.

You can get financial support for employing a person with partial work ability and for adapting the work and working conditions.

Your company can receive a pay subsidy Opens in a new window.from the employment authority if the jobseeker’s disability or illness significantly hinders their employment and it can be used to promote the employment. Pay subsidy must be applied for before the employment relationship begins. The need, duration and amount are always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer, you can apply for support for arranging working conditionsOpens in a new window. if new tools, furniture or alterations are needed based on the employee's disability or illness. If the employee needs help from another employee, the support for arranging working conditions may also cover some of the related costs.

Your company can also apply for work coachingOpens in a new window. support. Job coaches are familiar with the skills and strengths of persons with partial work ability or disabilities. They can help your company to tailor work tasks, assess the working conditions and familiarise your work community with the new colleague.

In addition, your employee can apply to healthcare services or Kela for the aids or tools needed for working. The employee may receive solutions for commuting from their wellbeing services county under the Act on Disability Services and Assistance. Read more about services for people with disabilities.

If you are a large employer and hiring an employee with partial work ability who is a client of the employment services, ask before the start of the employment relationship whether they have a certificate for a jobseeker with partial work abilityOpens in a new window. issued by the employment authority. Keep the certificate because if the employee becomes unfit for work during the first five years and you submit the certificate to your employment pension company, the employee's disability pension does not affect your employment pension contribution category.

Also read the guide Supporting work ability at workplaces, which provides instructions for adapting work tasks and maintaining work ability.