Did you know that as a member – whether you're a working professional or a student – you get free training, support in work-related issues, advocacy and legal aid, and substantial benefits in your leisure time?
You should also recommend a Tehy membership to your colleagues!
Tehy advocacy – expertise on your working conditions
Advocacy includes collective agreement negotiations, support from union representatives, handling disputes and influencing legislation.
A collective agreement is always negotiated for a fixed term. In other words, it defines the conditions under which work will be carried out for the coming years. A collective agreement, or TES (työehtosopimus), sets out things such as working hours, pay, bonuses and holidays. It goes without saying that these matters are extremely important to every professional in the social, healthcare and education sectors and affect their daily lives.
Few of us can negotiate our working conditions with our employer on our own. Thanks to our collective power, we can negotiate better working conditions and influence the development of working life.
Union representatives – support for everyday issues in your workplace
Union representatives (shop stewards in the private sector) are there for you. They can help you figure out topics such as pay, shifts and other employment issues. They negotiate with the employer and contribute to wellbeing at the workplace.
Union representatives are important in maintaining labour peace. They are also familiar with the day-to-day life of your work unit and are key people in keeping your workplace informed. They also ensure that the negotiated employment agreement is respected at the workplace.
Union representatives listen, advise and take action. They are approachable and reliable. You can turn to a union representative for even small matters. They are your support network and one of your best member benefits!
If your workplace does not have a union representative, you can get help from Tehy's experts.
Listen to union representative Sanna talk about her work. (This could possibly be embedded as a video.)
Legal aid – protection in difficult situations
If you have a dispute or criminal case at work, you can get legal aid as a member of Tehy as long as you meet the conditions. Legal proceedings are financially risk-free for you, as Tehy covers the costs.
Our own lawyers handle our members' cases all over Finland. You always get the best possible service, wherever you live. Read more about Tehy's legal services and learn about cases handled by our legal services in which our members have received compensation and damages.
You can also read the blog of our Head of Legal Services, Matias Nyman, about comprehensive legal aid.
Unemployment fund – protection in case of unemployment
The healthcare sector's own unemployment fund is called Sotekassa. We pay the membership fee of the Sotekassa unemployment fund on your behalf. You do not need to take care of paying the unemployment fund membership fee yourself.
If you become unemployed or furloughed and your wage income is interrupted, the unemployment security provided by Sotekassa guarantees your livelihood. This way, you can receive income-related unemployment allowance, which is higher than the basic unemployment allowance.
Read more about unemployment benefits on the Sotekassa website.
Training and events – develop yourself and network
We organise free training, seminars, education days and webinars for members. You can learn new things, develop your skills and meet other members.
We organise events all over Finland. Tehy events also offer fun and recreation. Do you still remember Tehy’s 40th anniversary celebration at the Helsinki Ice Hall or the members' event in Levi in spring 2024? Or perhaps you were in Oulu in November 2024 or at Nokia Arena in 2025?
Follow the announcements of your own professional branch as well – they organise their own events where you can join the Tehy community.
Member benefits – joy in your free time and security in working life
Did you know that as a member you get discounts on accommodation, cruises, sports and health-related services and products? You’ll also receive the Tehy magazine delivered to your home, discounts on professional literature and other changing offers for your leisure time.
Last summer, one of our most popular member benefits was the wristband discounts for amusement parks. These benefits will continue next summer as well.
Have you ever thought that your employer's insurance does not cover all damage? Your membership gives you extra security in working life – insurance cover is a major and significant member benefit! Professional liability insurance covers personal injury and damage to property, students are offered leisure-time accident insurance, and self-employed members receive comprehensive insurance cover for entrepreneurship.
In addition, you can extend your personal and your family members’ insurance cover with insurance policies at member prices. You can take out, for example, life insurance for yourself, accident insurance for your child or insurance against serious illness – at a member price.
Divisions and networks – a community of professionals in the same field
Tehy’s divisions and networks bring together members with the same education or professional group. They provide training, education days and networking opportunities for members who share the same professional interests.
Divisions and networks also highlight issues within your professional field and promote professional advocacy. Division membership brings you closer to your professional community – and membership is free of charge.
In addition to divisions and networks, we work closely with partner member organisations representing Tehy professions. These organisations help maintain and develop your professional identity.
Keep your membership active and make use of all the opportunities it offers. And if you are not yet a member – now is the right time to join!
