The Ministry of Justice has begun to examine changes in legislation to allow more flexibility for ministers taking family leave.
Minister of Justice Tuija Brax (Green) confirmed to Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday that a consideration of family leave for ministers will be part of an examination of how well the present constitution functions.
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) has also said that rules on parental leave for ministers need to be reformed.
A minister's right to parental leave came up in late September when Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén (Nat. Coalition Party) said that she would spend more time at her home in Oulu to be with her new adopted daughter.
The practice that has been established is for a minister to step down for the duration of maternity leave. The most recent minister to do that is Paula Lehtomäki (Centre), the Minister of the Environment.
Lindén said that she had discussed the matter well in advance and in a positive spirit with a number of people, including Chancellor of Justice Jaakko Jonkka. "He did not propose any decisions to me."
"Every family examines its own situation", Lindén said. "We felt that in this situation there was no need for a longer, more permanent absence from work."
The minister's calendar for October and November has been modified so that telecommuting in the middle of week is possible. Lindén is to return to normal routine in December.
Lindén says that she is surprised that her decision led to such controversy. "Ministers from the provinces telecommute all the time", she said.
"I am in Helsinki when needed, and on several days a week. I bear ministerial responsibility, and I answer for decision-making in my own administrative field."
Lindén is using her annual holiday allotment for taking care of her new child.
Lindén's case was discussed at a meeting of the government on Thursday. Prime Minister Vanhanen reiterated his support for the decision.
