Work is meaningful and rewarding for Espoo employees
The City of Espoo’s employees feel that they are successful in their tasks and that their work is meaningful and rewarding. They are also pleased with their supervisors. These are some of the results of the recent Kunta10 survey conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The survey examines the work of municipal employees and the changes therein, and the effects of work on employees’ health and wellbeing.
Approximately 81 per cent of the employees who responded to the Kunta10 survey would recommend Espoo as an employer to their friends.
“Personnel surveys help us develop our activities. For example, the employer image survey carried out about a year ago showed that, according to our employees, there was still room for improvement. The respondents stated that the city’s image as an employer is particularly influenced by how well we take care of our employees’ wellbeing, how supervisors manage work, and what the workplace atmosphere is like. If we want to improve our image as an employer and our activities, we have to pay attention to these issues,” says Director of Human Resources Jutta Takala.
“According to the previous Kunta10 surveys and the employer image survey, the general workplace atmosphere is quite good. According to the most recent Kunta10 survey, the atmosphere has improved further. Approximately 77 per cent of the respondents feel that cooperation in their work communities is smooth, and 79 per cent feel that activities are purposeful. Despite the good results, all our units must continue their efforts to ensure that everyone is happy at work,” Takala says.
Survey results help teams improve management and occupational wellbeing
According to the Kunta10 survey results, supervisory activities have improved over a long period of time. For example, over 80 per cent of the respondents said that their supervisor acts fairly.
“Employees feel that their supervisors support their work and strengthen their skills. In Espoo, we have invested in leadership development for years, and I am delighted that it shows in the results,” Takala says.
Based on the survey results, there is always room for improvement.
“Even though our staff feel less pressure at work and recover better after workdays, many Espoo employees still feel that they do not recover sufficiently well. Our teams should consider ways to promote recovery. According to the Kunta10 survey, experiences of customer violence have unfortunately increased in the municipal sector, also in Espoo. It is important that our teams discuss how threatening situations can be prevented and how they can use our various tools for managing customer violence,” Takala adds.
“We want to be a good employer and we want our employees to enjoy working here. When employees are happy, they do their work well. This is why it is very important that each supervisor goes through the results with their team and reflects on what can be learned from the results. The results show what our teams are already doing well, and these things should be maintained. However, the results also help teams discover issues that need to be developed,” Takala says.
In Espoo, 66 per cent of employees responded to the Kunta10 survey. This was the 12th time Espoo participated in the Kunta10 study conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. A total of 11 municipalities participated in the study: Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Raisio, Nokia, Valkeakoski, Naantali and Virrat.