Employee representatives help you with work-related problems

Safety representative

By law, workplaces with at least 10 employees must elect an occupational safety and health representative (in Finnish “työsuojeluvaltuutettu”) from among the employees. Even smaller workplaces can elect a safety representative if the employees wish to do so.

The safety representative represents employees in matters related to occupational safety and well-being and is familiar with the relevant laws.

Employers and supervisors are responsible for workplace safety, so any observed defects or shortcomings must be reported to them. However, you can always consult your safety representative if you have any questions related to health or safety. It is also part of the safety representative’s duties to make sure that the workers they represent are aware of issues that promote health and safety at work.

Read more

Occupational safety and health

Shop stewards and union representatives

Employees who belong to a trade union at their workplace can elect from among themselves a shop steward or union representative (in Finnish “luottamusmies”) to represent the employees and the trade union at the workplace.

The shop steward ensures that employers comply with laws and agreements. If you have problems with your employer, first ask the shop steward for advice. They discuss matters concerning employees with the employer on behalf of all employees.

The shop steward supports union members, explains the benefits of union membership and tells employees how to join.

In municipalities and wellbeing services counties, as well as some other workplaces, the shop steward is called in Finnish “luottamusedustaja”. Their duties are the same as those of a shop steward.

If there is no collective labour agreement in place at the workplace, employees can still elect a representative. The Employment Contracts Act defines the elected representative’s rights