Standardizing Incentive Pay for Clarity and Fairness
Starting 1 January 2025, we will standardize the payment of incentive pay (työosuusraha) to clients participating in work activities within Disability Services. This change aims to bring clarity and equality to the payment system, benefiting clients participating in work activities across the wellbeing services county.
Our goal is to simplify our practices and enhance equality among our clients. Under the new system:
- Group-based work activity participants will receive €5 per day based on actual days of participation.
- Supported work activity participants will receive €10 per day.
In addition, the special support allowance used in Kirkkonummi will be discontinued. This ensures that all clients receive incentive pay under the same principles, regardless of where they live.
What is “incentive pay”?
In this context, incentive pay (työosuusraha) refers to an allowance available to Disability Services’ clients with intellectual disabilities who participate in work activities. It is not equivalent to a salary. These clients typically rely on their pension as their primary source of income.
Incentive pay is not paid to clients of daytime activities within Disability Services.
The Wellbeing Services County has the authority to decide on the payment of incentive pay.
What do you mean by “work activities”?
Work activities are designed to support clients in participating in work life through their own strengths. These services can take place in activity centres, actual workplaces, or other suitable environments. The focus is on facilitating clients’ work-life skills, communication skills, social inclusion, and life management skills. Participants may explore and try out different jobs and workplaces while learning essential work-life skills.
Why is standardization necessary?
Currently we have six different payment practices for incentive pay. These have been inherited from various municipalities and joint authorities. Furthermore, significant differences exist between our own services and those we outsource. This complexity makes management challenging and places clients in unequal positions based on their municipality of residence and service location.
The aim of this standardization is not to reduce costs. Instead, it's a vital step toward providing equal services for all clients. Establishing uniform payment principles throughout the Wellbeing Services County lays a solid foundation for further developing our work activity services.
Update on 3 January 2025:
Harmonisation of incentive pay, starting on 1 January 2025, will initially apply to clients in the wellbeing services county’s own units. For clients using outsourced services, the harmonisation will will take place later in the spring in conjunction with the procurement.