COOPERATION

The objective of cooperation

The Act on Co-operation within Undertakings (in Finnish only) is intended to promote employees’ opportunities to participate in developing the operations of an undertaking and to increase employees’ opportunities to exercise influence in the decision‑making process relating to their work, their working conditions and their positions. To meet these objectives, the Act contains provisions concerning employees’ rights to be provided information and defines the work, work community and other work arrangement-related matters which must be covered by cooperation negotiations.

The purpose is also to strengthen cooperation between the employer, the personnel and the employment authorities to improve the position of the employees and to support their employment in relation to changes in the operations of the undertaking. The Act on Cooperation Within Undertakings specifies the required minimum level of cooperation, i.e. practical cooperation can be far more extensive and diverse.

Cooperation implementation

The implementation of cooperation at the workplace requires active, continuous interaction between the employer and the employees and the employees and the supervisors. Interaction can be implemented via meetings, representative cooperation bodies and daily unit activities. The implementation of cooperation requires an open and timely exchange of information and genuine efforts to find mutual understanding.

The important ground rules which ensure successful, legal cooperation are:
• timely negotiation initiative/proposal
• sufficient time to prepare
• providing the information required in the process well in advance of negotiations
• staff right of initiative

Shop stewards also promote workplace cooperation. For more information, see What we do > Shop stewards.

Occupational safety and health cooperation

The purpose of occupational safety and health cooperation is to promote workplace safety and staff well-being.  You can turn to the occupational safety representative at your university in any matter concerning your working conditions or well-being. Occupational safety representatives are staff representatives elected by the staff and their position is based on legislation and agreements. Universities always have an occupational safety and health committee, where employer and staff representatives discuss topical matters related to occupational safety, health and well-being.

For more information, see the Centre for Occupational Safety (TTK) website.

Key legislation in Finnish: Occupational Safety and Health Act, Act on Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement and Cooperation on Occupational Safety and Health at Workplaces.