Wellbeing at work
The University of Helsinki promotes well-being at work with the aim of improving the health, welfare and competence of work communities. The ability to work is not only related to an individual's health, but also to the compatibility and balance between a person's resources and his or her work. The work environment and supervisors also affect the ability to work.
The purpose of occupational health and safety activities is to improve the work environment and conditions to safeguard the employees' ability to work, and to prevent accidents at work, occupational diseases and other health hazards caused by the work environment.
Occupational health and safety activities include everyone working for the University or on its premises. The University of Helsinki has a labour protection manager appointed by the University, labour protection delegates nominated by the employees, and a labour protection committee comprising representatives of the employer and employees. These three bodies monitor workplace safety and healthiness and draw up the University's labour protection action plan.
The University of Helsinki offers its employees preventive occupational health care and General Practitioner level medical treatment. In the Helsinki metropolitan area, the health service provider is Mehiläinen Oy, while beyond the metropolitan area it is Medivire Occupational Health Services Ltd, other private clinics and municipal health centres.
University employees can participate in rehabilitation, which promotes ability to work. They can also participate in work counselling, which not only provides an opportunity for professional learning, but also helps in stress management.
Psychologists support work communities in times of change, especially in solving possible conflicts. Supervisors are given opportunities for enhancing their health by occupational health support measures, and for promoting personal growth in their role as supervisors, for instance through group work counselling.
University employees also have various sports services at their disposal.