Toimitusjohtajat take parental leave as attitudes shift

More company chief executives in Finland are taking parental leave, reversing a long-standing reluctance tied to concerns over business continuity and company performance.

Atte Rytkönen-Sandberg, director of the Finnish Entrepreneurs, said the shift reflects broader changes in workplace culture and recent reforms to Finland’s family leave system.

The 2023 overhaul introduced flexible, part-time parental leave and equalised quotas for both parents, allowing limited transfer between them. These changes have made it easier for executives to step away without disrupting operations.

“The culture has changed so that fathers also want and dare to take parental leave,” Rytkönen-Sandberg said. “It is now seen as more acceptable and even recommended.”

He advised executives to plan ahead, especially in smaller firms where daily absence can have a greater impact. Some companies allow chief executives to remain partially available while on leave, while sole proprietors face greater challenges in arranging coverage.

Rytkönen-Sandberg said visible use of parental leave by a chief executive sets an example for the rest of the company, signalling the value placed on parenthood.