Information from Pardia’s recent member survey: Number of employees is reduced and work piles up

Headcount reductions, which have taken place during the last two years, show up more clearly at workplaces this time when compared to Pardia’s previous member surveys. The number of employees has been cut in two thirds of the workplaces.

This translates into a growth in the amount of work to be done: for 74 per cent of the respondents the amount of work they have to do has increased.

Only a few workplaces were safe from organisational changes. In as many as 87 percent of the respondents’ workplaces, there has been some kind of organisational change implemented during the last two years.

– These changes are reflected clearly in how personnel manage to cope as well as in their wellbeing at work. According to the member survey, insecurity about the future and pressure from work have grown from their previous levels, said Antti Palola, Pardia President, in the Pardia Congress in Helsinki on 23 November.

Insecurity about the future has remained at the top of the list of factors having a negative impact on coping at work from one survey to another. Equally high on the list are now tight schedules, pressure from unfinished work and mental fatigue. 

– This is a worrying trend and it is a clear sign that people in fact seriously wonder how they will cope with their workload.

For the first time, the member survey included questions about extending careers. In the opinion of the respondents, job security, better pay, a smaller workload and less stress, improved management methods and more flexible working hours are factors, which help people to manage at work longer.

According to the member survey, meaningfulness of work at Pardia members’ workplaces has weakened during the last two years. Nearly a half of the respondents (48 %) stated that the meaningfulness of work had reduced. It appears that this reduction is caused in particular by personnel cuts at the workplace.

– In the long run this cannot but affect the effectiveness of work, the length of careers and the attractiveness of jobs.

The survey material was collected electronically in October 2011. Of those who had received the questionnaire, 51 %, that is 2 503 people, filled in the survey. The previous surveys were conducted in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2009.

Application of the framework agreement in Pardia’s contract sectors

Pardia has reached in nearly all contract sectors an agreement in accordance with the framework agreement. The negotiations for applying the framework agreement in Pardia contract sectors were demanding. In all its negotiations Pardia has aimed at achieving an agreement on pay that emphasises an across the board increase which will safeguard the development of its members’ purchasing power and also promotes equal pay.

– I am quite satisfied with the results achieved in the negotiations. In this uncertain economic situation the framework agreement increases the stability and predictability of the economy, improves the competitiveness of our industry, safeguards the purchasing power of the employees and maintains employment, says Palola.

The total number of members in the Federation of Salaried Employees Pardia is 60 000, the majority of whom work in government agencies and institutions and a significant number in public bodies, enterprises, companies, universities and Kela. Pardia is one of the largest member organisations of the Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK.

Further information is available: www.pardia.fi