9 workplaces receive Working Life Prize 2017

Working life in Finland is much better than its unsavoury repute may suggest. It became apparent this spring as 99 highly eligible workplaces applied for the Working Life Prize to be awarded for the last time this year.

Many work communities are developing their practices even amidst the major changes being witnessed by the world of employment and, not only that, they are also ready to share their experience and expertise.

Nine out of the 99 applicants were adjudged the best, and on Tuesday, Social Affairs and Health Minister Pirkko Mattila handed over the awards to the winners at a prize distribution ceremony in Helsinki, said a government press release.

Cash awards of EUR 10,000 each were received by Anninpirtti from Sastamala, Tupahoiva Oy from Sastamala, and Mustijoenperusturva that offers child-protection services in Mäntsälä and Pornainen. Awards of EUR 15,000 were received by each of Maustaja Oy from Pyhäntä, South Karelia rescue department, Järvi-Saimaan Palvelut Oy from Sulkava, Skanska Oy’s Tampere unit, the University of Turku, and the City of Joensuu.

Joensuu was selected as the most inspiring applicant in a public vote and the city was accorded due recognition at the ceremony. The most popular applicant in the public vote received an extra bonus of 10,000 euros.

What the award-winning workplaces have in common is that they have always striven to do things better than before. Their personnel have the permission and responsibility to act in the best way possible, to carry out their ideas, and the managements have given their strong support to and shown trust in the development work. Together they made a change. The attitude the prize winners have had held to development efforts has been “let’s do it” rather than “it won’t work anyway”.

As this is the last time the Working Life Prize is being awarded, all assets of the fixed-term fund have been divided and distributed among the distinguished promoters of working life in recognition to their service. The prize was founded in 2008, and since then it was awarded four times. The prize money came from a grant made by the Fund for the Working Life Prize established by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Sitra. The Finnish Work Environment Fund has also been taking active participation in selecting and short-listing workplaces worthy of receiving the distinction. The president of Finland has been the patron of the prize.