Mental Health at Work Programme also supports recovery from the COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected workplaces in many ways. The Programme involves launching, as part of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland, measures to support the recovery of work communities during and after the COVID-19 crisis. The measures will be carried out in 2022–2024.
These measures are designed to ease the transition back to normal, e.g. after a period of remote work or absence from work, and promote the wellbeing and coping of those who worked under particularly difficult conditions during the emergency.
The Programme also takes into account the needs of young employees and different professional fields. The recovery of workplaces is supported by means of different tools and models supporting ability to work. A digital platform will also be created to bring together effective measures, methods and information contents to support work ability.
Preliminary study on a national digital platform for work ability
As part of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland, a preliminary study has been conducted to determine what electronic services and information contents related to work ability are available for different target groups.
A key observation of the study is that there is a great deal of information available for experts and clients regarding reduced ability to work. However, there are no electronic services, tools or information contents for workplaces and employers when it comes to maintaining and strengthening the ability to work and preventing the loss of the ability to work.
Because there is insufficient awareness of proactive support for work ability, the aim is to integrate the digital platform into the existing service network, which already reaches workplaces. This way resources can be focused primarily on improving the service content.
The aim of the study was to ensure the longevity and maintenance of the digital platform even after the programming period. The different options for the possible implementation and maintenance of the platform that were put forward in the study have not been discussed yet. However, discussions will take place with the relevant parties when these options are explored.
The preliminary study was carried out by Gofore Plc.
The preparation of the digital platform will continue as part of the implementation of the Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland.