Work Environment — Nordic Labour Journal

Sick leave in Finland: municipalities on the right track

(Feb 09, 2010) Many Finish municipalities have managed to turn the trend of ever increasing levels of sick leave. As the country's largest municipal employer, the City of Helsinki is developing ways of helping people on long-term sick leave to get back to work.

The constant hunt for ways to limit sick leave

(Feb 09, 2010) Levels of sick leave vary a lot between the different Nordic countries, yet it seems it gets harder and harder to qualify for sickness benefit - whether the level of sick leave rises or falls. There is no agreement among researchers on what really lies behind these variations, nor on what policies actually work.

Positive factors at work – a new perspective

(Aug 01, 2009) What makes workers happy and content, and what keeps organisations healthy and productive? What makes workers resilient and good at adapting when more and more is demanded of them in an ever changing environment?

The best research has people-focus

(Dec 03, 2008) Working life research in the Nordic region has highlighted big changes in how businesses are run. So-called borderless working life offers flexible working hours and less division between work and leisure. But what are the long-term consequences?

Working Nation: The Mindset of the Enterprising Icelanders

(May 01, 2008) The Icelanders are known for being a great working nation. No nation has a larger part of the population in employment at any one time.

Striking the right work-life balance

(Mar 03, 2008) There's a lot of focus on finding a balance between work and private life these days. Despite all the good intentions, it is hard to imagine real change will come about before we seriously address the difficulties in getting the right mix of family and working life.

Well-being at work sparks productivity

(Oct 01, 2006) Facing global competition Finland's way: go for sustainable working life.

Norway's new Super Minister: Bjarne Håkon Hanssen

(Mar 10, 2006) Work for all is one of the main aims of Norway's new left-of-centre government. "Super Minister" Bjarne Håkon Hanssen carries a great responsibility. He controls one in three of every krone in the budget. He has to make sure the government reaches its goal of a more inclusive working life. The hidden unemployment must be fought, and more people of employable age must be included in working life.

The jigsaw of life…

(Mar 01, 2004) Three public authorities in Sweden are co-operating to encourage Swedish employers to make it easier for their employees to combine work with parenthood. As part of a larger campaign, they are now sending out a jigsaw to 6.500 employers, with the question: "Work and family - How easy is it to make the pieces fit at your place?"

Scania: A health conscious company

(Mar 01, 2004) "People who feel well are more creative and do a better job. The result is a win-win situation," says Gunnar Hedlund, head of the health and work environment unit at the Scania buss and truck- factory in Södertälje in Sweden.