Suomi.fi's new guide helps workplaces support work ability
Suomi.fi's new "Supporting work ability at workplace" guide provides a concise and practical overview of the factors affecting work ability and the means to manage and support work ability at the workplace.
The target audience for the new Suomi.fi guide is particularly workplaces that do not have an HR department or people specifically trained in work ability issues. These include not only small workplaces but also fast-growing start-up companies.
"Work must be arranged and organised in a way that it doesn't cause harmful strain on the employee. The management at the workplace plays a key role in this," emphasises Teija Inkilä, Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which directed the project.
Supporting work ability is considered important – the new guide responds to the need
The changing demands of working life pose challenges to management and supervisory work. There is a great need for information at workplaces on how coping at work and mental health can be supported. Good work ability management can reduce sickness absences and the related costs and curb employee turnover.
Suomi.fi's "Supporting work ability at workplace" guide contains information on:
• what work ability is and what kind of matters affect it
• how work ability is promoted at the workplace
• what the roles and responsibilities of the management, supervisors, and employees are
• how changes in work ability can be detected in time and how to respond to them
• how the operating model for work ability and other statutory plans are prepared
• what the employer's statutory obligations are
Experts from Akava, Divisions of Occupational Safety and Health of Regional State Administrative Agencies, KEHA Centre, Kela, Keva, Local Government and County Employers KT, MIELI Mental Health Finland, Micropreneurs and Solopreneurs of Finland, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finnish Psychological Association, Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), STTK, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Centre for Occupational Safety, Suomen Yrittäjät, Finnish Association of Occupational Health Nurses, and Finnish Association of Occupational Health Physicians participated in planning the guide. Extensive user testing was also carried out for the guide.
The guide was implemented by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health provided specialist support for the project.
The guide is part of the EU-funded Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland. Its creation was motivated by the concern that Finland's working-age population is decreasing and structural unemployment has remained high. To ensure that people are well at work and avoid long periods of sick leave, employees' work ability problems should be addressed as early as possible.
Learn more: Supporting Work Ability at Workplace - Digital Guide