Young immigrants’ employment stories, FIOH

© Työterveyslaitos – www.ttl.fi

Well-being through work


THIS IS HOW I GOT WORK


How do I find work? Your employability is affected by:1. Your health and

functional ability

2. Your skills

3. Your motivation and attitude


Health and functional abilityYou yourself can affect your health and functional ability, by for example:

• eating healthily• sleeping enough• exercising• making sure your social relationships are ok


Skills are learned over time

Different kinds of skills

Education,

qualifications

Skills gained

though

hobbies or

voluntary

work Know

ledge

of

differ

ent

cultu

res

Knowledge of

Finnish work

life

Lang

uage

sk

ills

Occupational

safety card

First aid skills

Work

experi

ence

Expe

rienc

e

gaine

d from

traini

ng on

the

job

Alcohol

passport Hygi

ene

pass

port

Drivi

ng lic

ence

Wor

k ab

ility

pass

port


TIP: Ask for help in developing your skills from your local TE Office (www.te-services.fi/te/en/) or find out what you can study at college

TIP: Many applications for improving your language skills are available for phones/tablets, e.g. Memrise, Quizlet, Voice Translator

http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/


Motivation and attitude are important in job-seeking

Positive and takes the initiative

Sociable and co-operative

Hard-working,

flexible and friendlyPunctual

Persistent, wants to

work

Likes his own profession


Different ways to find work

1)You can apply for open vacancies

2) You can ask a friend or acquaintance if they know of any suitable jobs for you or ask for tips on how to find work

3) You can directly call interesting companies / workplaces and ask if they have work


Different ways to find work

4) You can register with a recruiting agency

5) After on-the-job training you can ask the company if they have future work for you

6) You can apply for an apprenticeship

7) There are also many employment projects that help young people and immigrants find work. Ask for information at your local TE Office!



WHEN I BEGAN WORK…


Your rights as an employee…

I have the right to wages that are in accordance with

the collective agreement

I can belong to a trade union

I have the right to a healthy and safe work environment

I have the right to protection

provided by the law and by contracts


… and your duties

I do my work with care

I obey instructions

I respect confidentiality

I keep business and professional secrets

I respect my employerI do not compete

with my employer


In Finland, everyone is entitled to induction training

Your supervisor is responsible for your induction training


Are you receiving proper induction training? Check!

http://tiny.cc/NumatChecklist

http://tiny.cc/NumatChecklist



ME AND MY COLLEAGUES


What is a work community?Work commuity = colleagues

TIP: In Finnish workplaces it is normal to address colleagues and supervisors on a first-name basis


THINK: How do you behave in the work community?

How do I draw

attention to problems?

Am I able to accept feedback? How do I give feedback?

Do I share

information

and my own

know-how

with others?

How do I treat people from other cultures?

How do I treat my

colleagues?

How do I ensure that I cope at

work? How do I promote my

colleagues’ well-being?


The work community needs different types of skillsHow to develop your work community skills:

•Be willing to learn new things •Take care of your well-being •Support and encourage your supervisor and other members of the work community in their tasks •Accept diversity•Accept feedback•Evaluate your own actions•Take the initiative – tell your supervisor about your work and any areas that may need development


TIP: Finns appreciate punctuality. Finnish workers stick to their working hours closely!

TIP: Finns appreciate people taking the intitative. Be active and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

TIP: Ask you collaeagues all kinds of questions, they know about Finnish culture and traditions!

A good work community is good

for us all


Inappropriate behaviourDisagreements at the workplace are normal. But if a colleague…•is being bullied because of their

private life or some personalcharacteristic

•is excluded from the work community•is being threatened or •their work tasks are changed without

a reason…it may be a case of inappropriate behaviour.

The Finnish Non-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination!www.equality.fi

http://www.equality.fi/


What should you do if you are the victim of inappropriate behaviour?

Find out if your workplace has guidelines for this kind of situation.

Tell your harrasser directly that you consider their behavoiur inappropriate.

If you like, have someone with you as support.

If the harrasser continues the inappropriate behaviour, tell them that you will report them to your supervisor.

Talk about it, don’t be alone!


I COPE WELL AT WORK BECAUSE…


What is good work ability?

I have the energy for

work

I know how to do my

work

I am enthusiastic and want to

work

I feel good

I have enough energy left for

free-time activities



Finland has laws that aim to ensure that workers cope at work

• Working hours – E.g. Regular working hours are max. 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

• Breaks – E.g. Workers have the right to one break when they work over 4 hours and two breaks when they work over 6 hours.

• Sick leave – When you get ill you can stay at home and still be paid for sickness absence days.

• Annual leave – E.g. If you have been employed for under a year, you earn two days of holiday per month worked.

TIP: Trade union websites have further information on work-related laws!


Workplaces also support coping at work in many waysSupporting a healthy lifestyle, e.g.:

•Lunch and coffee breaks during the working day•Workplace canteens and places to eat packed lunches

• The workplace may have its own gym or swimming pool for employee use

• The employer may offer exercise or culture vouchers that you can use at a place of your choice


The employer can also promote you work ability through…

Induction trainingIt is important that you are taught to do your job correctly– every new employee has the right to proper induction training!

Encouraging you to take part in trainingMany employers arrange training for their employees – it is worth taking advantage of this benefit!

CERTIFICATE

__________

What skills would you like to develop?


Occupational safetyMake sure you perform your work safely and according to instructions!


Occupational health services(OHS)• All employees are entiteld to OHS

• OHS can help you promote your health

• Treatment of illnesses is also included inOHS at many workplaces

• OHS has a doctor, nurse, psychologist and physiotherapist

• Anything discussed with OHS is completely confidential!


You are also responsible for your own work ability!

I follow safety instructions

I remember to take food and coffee

breaks

I want to feel good

I want to learn more

I contact my supervisor or OHS

if I feel I have problems at work



FREE TIME


Eat healthily

You need the right kind of food to stay healthy and to be able to function properly

Varied, colourful, low in salt, vitamins

Finnish Nutrition Recommendations:

http://tiny.cc/NutritionRecommendations


Make sure you rest! When I get enough sleep…

I learn and remember

things better

I can solve problems more

easily

I find it easier to concentrate

My immune system is stronger I am healthier!

I am more energetic

I am more creative,

flexible and relaxed


Exercise regularly!Why exercise?

•You have more energy for work and everyday tasks•You sleep better•It is easier to maintain your weight•Being fit protects you from

illnesses – you are healthier

TIP: Try to do at least 2.5 hours of endurance training or at least 1.5 hours of vigourous physical activity per week

www.ukkinstituutti.fi/en/products/physical_activity_pie


Family and friends are also important for well-being

Make sure that you have enough time and energy after work for free-time activities!


TIP: Different people need different amounts of sleep. Most need 6-9 hours.


What could I do in my free time? Where can I find information?TIP: Exercising outdoors in Finland is easy and free! You are allowed to walk in the forests. Metsähallitus maintains national parks and other hiking areas that cost nothing. See: http://www.outdoors.fi/Pages/Default.aspx

TIP: Towns and municipalities have different exercise facilities, such as swimming pools and sports fields etc. Many municipalities organize exercise classes. Check your own municipality’s website!

TIP: Adult education centres offer a wide range of free-time activities: See www.ktol.fi/index.php?k=21860


Other useful linksWelcome to Finlandwww.tem.fi/en/current_issues/publications/brochures/welcome_to_finland

Welcome to the world of work! www.tyoelamaan.fi/en-GB/

Infopankki – Finland in your languagewww.infopankki.fi

Work ability www.ttl.fi/en/health/wai/multidimensional_work_ability_model

Vacancies:• www.te-services.fi/te/en/• www.aarresaari.net/english/


Promoting the work ability of young immigrants at the beginning of their careers

(NuMaT) project

Career

Young immigrants’ employment stories, FIOH