The City of Kalajoki and Mehiläinen develop work ability together

Kalajoki is known for its coastal environment and year-round tourism, but according to the city’s Human Resources Director Iisu Viinikainen, the well-being of the city’s personnel is one of the city’s most important resource factors. In a city of approximately 12,000 inhabitants, an occupational health partner is most of all expected to be able to support the day-to-day work and respond quickly to changing situations.

"The well-being of our employees is one of our most important cornerstones. That's why finding a partner like Mehiläinen to support our day-to-day work has been valuable," Viinikainen says.

The City of Kalajoki and Mehiläinen started working together in 2023. Over the course of three years, the cooperation has resulted in a practical operating model that supports leadership, occupational well-being and work ability in all of the city’s service sectors.

"Mehiläinen’s strength lies in its ability to respond quickly to changing situations. Not all situations have been easy, but we have always found constructive solutions together."

The results of the cooperation are also reflected in the indicators.

"Sickness-related absences and other key figures have seen very positive development. This requires commitment from both sides – it takes two to tango."

The occupational health nurse coordinates the multidisciplinary services

According to Mehiläinen's Occupational Health Nurse Anni Siltala, the success is thanks to a multidisciplinary operating model in which the occupational health nurse coordinates the whole process and different specialists support the employee at different stages of the work ability path.

"We have achieved very good results together. Sickness-related absences have decreased significantly, particularly absences due to mental health issues," Siltala says.

Mehiläinen's occupational health specialists cooperate closely with both HR and supervisors. The aim is to identify work ability challenges as early as possible and find solutions quickly.

"Supervisors can contact our specialists directly, but we will also actively contact them if we discover something that needs to be addressed. This allows us to support both the employee and the organisation in a timely manner," Siltala says.

The City of Kalajoki is already looking into the future, where the world of work will be in a constant state of change.

"We cannot decide what the future will be, but we can prepare for it together. That is why the flexibility and agility of occupational health care cooperation are very important to us," Iisu Viinikainen says.

"Together, we have built Mehiläinen's cooperation model and seen that it also works in practice. As we have achieved good results, it feels natural to continue working together."

See the customer reference of the City of Kalajoki. Reference published 8/2026.