Finnish Startup Seeks Marketing Manager Without Salary, Offers Equity

This situation, reported by Helsingin Sanomat, highlights a contentious issue in the Finnish startup scene: the practice of offering 'unpaid' positions with the promise of future equity. Taksivalitsin's search for a marketing manager without an initial salary, instead dangling the prospect of company shares, raises significant questions about labor law and fair compensation in Finland.

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Palkan maksaminen muuna kuin raha on harvinaista, mutta ei aina täysin mahdotonta, sanoo työoikeuden emeritusprofessori Seppo Koskinen.

Emeritus Professor of Labor Law, Seppo Koskinen, provides crucial context, emphasizing that Finnish law mandates 'usual and reasonable' compensation for work. While payment in shares is legally permissible, their value must be equivalent to a fair wage. The fact that regional administrative bodies have not approved employment contracts without any monetary compensation underscores the legal hurdles such arrangements face.

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Jos työnantaja ja työntekijä eivät ole sopineet työstä maksettavasta vastikkeesta, on työntekijälle kuitenkin lain mukaan maksettava tavanomainen ja kohtuullinen palkka.

The startup's approach, detailed in a job advertisement on the Työmarkkinatori website, describes a 'broad and responsible marketing role' with tasks ranging from digital strategy to social media management and data analysis. The allure of becoming a key player in a growing app's success is evident, but the lack of a guaranteed financial return is a major point of contention.

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Aluehallintovirasto [eli nykyinen Lupa- ja valvontavirasto] ei ole hyväksynyt sellaisia työntekosopimuksia, joissa työnantaja ei maksa mitään palkkaa.

From a Finnish perspective, where worker protections and established labor practices are strong, this case is particularly noteworthy. While the startup culture often pushes boundaries, the legal framework in Finland is designed to prevent exploitation. Helsingin Sanomat's reporting, including attempts to reach the company's leadership, reflects a journalistic commitment to scrutinizing such practices and informing the public about their legality and ethical implications. The story prompts a discussion about the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring fair treatment for employees in the burgeoning tech sector.

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Startup-yrityksessä voisi palkan maksaa periaatteessa rahan sijasta esimerkiksi osakkeena.