The leadership team at Finland's Social Insurance Institution (Kela) has issued a direct message to employees addressing internal tensions following controversial remote work directives. Director General Lasse Lehtonen previously apologized for his choice of words to staff members, acknowledging the disruption caused by his management approach.
The situation escalated when Kela's management team published an internal statement supporting employees and emphasizing their value to the entire organization. The statement was distributed via the agency's intranet system on Tuesday afternoon following a management meeting held the previous day under the leadership of Director Kari-Pekka Mäki-Lohiluoma.
Lehtonen was notably absent from this critical meeting, with reports indicating he was traveling during this period. The management team's message directly addressed what they described as "the current situation that has been discussed both in media and internally," referencing media coverage about increasing remote work requirements and related social media discussions.
Mäki-Lohiluoma emphasized the seriousness of the situation in his quoted statement: "We discussed the situation. We have all received many contacts about this matter from both inside and outside Kela. The situation is very heavy for Kela staff members." He further reinforced confidence in the workforce, stating, "We know that Kela has competent and trustworthy staff. There is a clear common view on this."
The management team explicitly acknowledged Lehtonen's apology as "an important step" while asserting their commitment to supporting supervisors and all Kela employees through direct conversations within their respective units. Mäki-Lohiluoma added, "Trust in Kela staff is strong. We do good work even in difficult situations."
This internal conflict highlights broader tensions in Finland's public sector regarding remote work policies post-pandemic. Kela, as Finland's primary social security administrator, handles critical services including unemployment benefits, health insurance, and family allowances, making staff morale and operational stability matters of national importance.
The agency's leadership faces the challenge of balancing operational efficiency with employee wellbeing in a highly visible public institution. Service Manager Sari Hänninen addressed public perceptions directly, noting, "In connection with the remote work discussion, there may have been an impression in public that work at Kela is done somehow lightly or even lazily. This is not true, which we all at Kela certainly know."
Management has committed to continuing discussions in upcoming leadership meetings while emphasizing Kela's fundamental mission of serving customers first and securing important benefits and services. The resolution of this internal conflict will likely influence remote work policies across other Finnish government agencies facing similar transitional challenges.
The situation reflects Finland's ongoing adjustment to hybrid work models in public administration, where traditional workplace cultures intersect with modern flexible work arrangements. As Mäki-Lohiluoma concluded, "We are all at the core of change," acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities facing one of Finland's most essential public institutions.