Government proposes to expand board-level employee representation to companies with at least 100 employees

On 15 October 2026, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal for legislative amendments that would broaden the scope of board-level representation of employees. The purpose of the reform is to strengthen employees’ opportunities to participate in the employer’s decision‑making and in the handling of matters that affect their position.

Board-level representation refers to the representation of personnel in the company’s administration. Under the current legislation, the personnel has the right to participate in discussions on important issues concerning the employer’s business and finances and the position of personnel in companies with at least 150 employees. The Government proposes extending the right to board-level employee representation to companies with at least 100 employees.

“We want to give employees a stronger voice in the workplace. This reform will bring up to 100,000 wage earners within the scope of the rules on board-level employee representation in Finland,” says Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen.

Board-level employee representation is not currently mandatory, and the new rules would not change that. In future, such representation would be organised if requested by a majority of employees through an elected representative or by other means.

In addition to companies, the new rules on board-level employee representation would also apply to cooperatives and economic societies.

Board-level employee representation to take place on boards or in senior management groups

The Government proposes that board-level employee representation take place on the company’s board of directors, in senior management groups or in similar bodies. However, the employer and employees could, at the employees’ initiative, agree on another way to organise board-level representation. The representation could also be agreed to be organised at the group level, as is the case currently.