The Occupational Health Care Regulation is being revised – what does this mean for large employer organizations?
The Government has approved an amendment to the decree on good occupational health care practices. The aim of the amendment is to strengthen the effectiveness of occupational health care, support work ability, and enhance cooperation between the workplace and occupational health services. The amendment clarifies which aspects of occupational health care are mandatory for employers and which are voluntary. It emphasizes the importance of workplace and organizational efforts rather than an individual-centered approach. Preventing the risk of incapacity for work and maintaining work ability remain central, but the employer’s responsibility is emphasized.
For large employers, the reform offers an opportunity to make work ability management more proactive and data-driven. As employers’ responsibility for monitoring, assessing, and promoting work ability grows, the role of occupational health as a strategic partner becomes increasingly important. Going forward, combining occupational health and organizational data, and taking proactive measures based on that data, will become increasingly crucial. This enables a better overall view of work ability and supports decision-making.
– Collaboration between occupational health, HR, and business operations will become even closer. Effective work ability management requires a shared vision, clear goals, and systematic action, says Ilse Rauhaniemi, Chief Medical Officer of Occupational Health.
With the regulatory change, occupational health measures will thus be targeted more precisely at the organization’s actual risks and stress factors. At the same time, the ability to justify the measures taken and demonstrate their impact is emphasized.
– The regulatory change reinforces the idea that work ability is, above all, a strategic competitive factor for the workplace. The importance of smooth occupational health cooperation is emphasized. Occupational health acts as a partner that helps identify risks in a timely manner, target measures effectively, and support the achievement of the organization’s goals, Rauhaniemi explains.
As Terveystalo’s new occupational health digital platform grows and evolves, it will bring together occupational health and organizational data into a single, easy-to-understand overview, enabling us to transition to a genuine, data-driven strategic partnership.
