Development of working life 

Thriving staff and work communities, together with safe work environments, form the basis for a sustainable working life and productivity. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is developing working life in accordance with its strategic objectives. This development work is based on research knowledge, and it is carried out in close cooperation with various actors in working life. 

Policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for preparing strategies and policy guidelines on occupational safety and health, occupational healthcare, work ability and wellbeing at work.  

The Ministry has prepared a policy for the work environment and wellbeing at work with the aim of fostering healthy and safe work at all workplaces regardless of the form of employment. The policy specifies the strategy of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 

National Working Life Development Strategy  

The national strategy work strives to formulate both a vision guiding the development of working life and the choices for achieving this vision. The work also aims to build a common understanding of the current state of working life and the new opportunities offered by working life. The strategy will connect research data with a broad-based vision and a long-term perspective necessary for the development of working life. 

The strategy work will be conducted in broad-based cooperation between different ministries, labour market organisations and others involved in the development of working life. The strategy will be completed in March 2026.   

Projects and programmes support development  

Projects and programmes have a special role to play in producing, for example, new operating models and tools supporting working life and in disseminating good practices. The development of working life is also supported through funds established for this purpose.

The Development Programme for Work and Wellbeing at Work (WORK2023), the Mental Health at Work Programme, the Work Ability for Finland Programme and the expansion of the old Work Ability Programme are underway during this government term. 

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health supports working life development projects by granting funding through various financing mechanisms, such as the EU Structural Funds and the EU’s one-off recovery instrument, i.e. the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland.

Further information