Varma awards Snellman for good work

Varma partnered with the Association for Finnish Work when the association celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012. The 100-year jubilee took place in September, and Varma awarded Oy Snellman Ab, a Finnish family company producing meat products, with the sculpture 'Kirnu' (Churn) by Elina Järvinen in recognition of the company's long-term efforts for well-being at work.

Snellman has been investing in Finnish work through action, courage and caring. The company has proved through its actions that well-being at work is directly linked to a company's financial success. Furthermore, Snellman has provided new jobs in Finland in recent years.

Thoughts on good work

Varma organised a campaign called Hyvän työn puu (the Tree of Good Work) to collect opinions about what good work means to people. The virtual tree on the campaign website grew as people wrote their thoughts about good work on its leaves.

The contributors also got to vote for an organisation to receive a donation of Finnish work worth EUR 5,000 by Varma. The candidates were the ASPA Housing Services Foundation, the Service Foundation for the Deaf, and the Family Federation. More than 5,000 votes were cast, with ASPA receiving the majority with nearly 2,000 votes.

The donation will be used to promote ASPA's Silta työhön (Bridge to work) project, which provides employment assistance for those with a partial disability, a handicap or who are in a difficult employment situation. Employers who are willing to employ people with difficulties in finding a job are invited to join the project. Approaches include job coaching, assisted practical training and trained workplace coaches offering support at workplaces.

Read thoughts on good work written on the leaves of the tree (only in Finnish).

Varma receives commendation as a summer employer

Varma received a commendation in the Responsible Summer Job 2012 competition. The young employees  in different organisations provided the information on their employers. They were asked how pleased they are with the employer and how well the principles of a good summer job are met.

The competition was organised as part of the Responsible Summer Job 2012 campaign by the Finnish Children and Youth Foundation, Alma Media, Monster.fi and Sonera, which aimed at challenging employers to provide young people with more and better summer jobs.