Mehiläinen is committed to promoting non-discrimination, equality and diversity and requires everyone working at Mehiläinen to take these matters into account both as a guiding principle and as practical actions.
What does equality, non-discrimination and diversity at Mehiläinen mean?
Equality, non-discrimination and diversity at Mehiläinen means inclusion, consideration of each individual and individual interaction and working together in accordance with Mehiläinen's values.
Mehiläinen strengthens its work on equality
Psychiatrist Teemu Kärnä has been appointed as Mehiläinen's leading expert on equality and non-discrimination issues. This corporate-wide consultative role supports the development of Mehiläinen's work on equality and non-discrimination, including efforts such as an equality survey and training offerings.
Equality survey and training
The equality survey was taken by more than 2,800 Mehiläinen employees.
The development work for non-discrimination and equality is ongoing. Mehiläinen's equality survey was conducted for already the third time in April–May 2023, with more than 2,800 Mehiläinen employees responding to it. In 2022, there were over 2,000 respondents and, in 2021, over 1,300. Based on the surveys, the company’s equality and non-discrimination plan was updated and training for employees on how to encounter sexual diversity in customer work was arranged.
We asked the employees to tell us what equality and equity mean to them in their work.
Minna, Chief Physician
Every professional is their own self, as their own person, an equal part of the work community; as representatives of different professional groups. Together we are more.
Vesa-Pekka, Graphic Designer/Copywriter
I don't make assumptions about others, but give everyone the opportunity to tell their own story. I feel safe coming to work every day just as I am.
Sini, Dental Nurse
We all have different stories and different paths but the same goal.
Ida, Customer Relations Coordinator
Everyone is allowed to be their wonderful self and feel important.
Ville, Digital Content Manager
Everyone is equally important and valuable to us.
Tiia-Maria, Nurse
Everyone has the same opportunities to influence matters and to be heard, and can trust that this will continue in the future.
Outi, Practical Nurse
It is safe for me to be me and it is safe for you to be you.
Marko, Unit Manager, Child Protection Foster Care
Diversity is normal, normal is equality. Equality starts with the individual, and the individual is a part of diversity.
Minna, HR Specialist
We work from person to person, as equals and without discrimination.
Johanna, Unit Manager
We treat each other with respect and are tolerant. We value each other as people and as individuals. We treat everyone as we hope to be treated ourselves.
Interacting with LGBT+ people at Mehiläinen
In cooperation with Seta's professionals, Mehiläinen has organised training for all employees on how to interact with LGBT+ people. The training focused on interacting with LGBT+ people both in customer work and in the work community, and we have received basic knowledge of different LGBT+ identities, the correct terminology and sensitive interaction. In addition, the themes of the training included attitudes and normative thinking, which can either be an obstacle to equality or an enabler of it.
“We consider it important to provide our professionals with the skills and tools to build a more equal Mehiläinen, as we are on a lifelong mission in all its diversity. In accordance with our values, everyone is welcome at Mehiläinen as their own valuable and unique self. The training arranged with Seta is a concrete way to build a Mehiläinen where every professional and customer is safe and comfortable,” says Chief Medical Officer Kaisla Lahdensuo.
“At Mehiläinen, equality and non-discrimination are the basis of our everyday life. It can be made visible, for example, by wearing Pride pins on your work clothes,” says Karolus Viitala, Business Unit Director, Private customers and Group CMO at Mehiläinen.
“Mehiläinen aims to be a workplace where everyone feels good, and equality work is an important part of this. Our goal is that all employees and customers of Mehiläinen feel accepted and valued just as they are,” says Marina Lampinen, Director Of Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility at Mehiläinen.
Mehiläinen was one of the official partners of Helsinki Pride 2023. Helsinki Pride, Finland's largest celebration of human rights, the LGBT+ community and equality, will take place in June, culminating in Pride Week at the end of the month. The heart logo of Mehiläinen will once again glow in the colours of the rainbow throughout the month for equality and diversity of life.
Mehiläinen Code of Conduct
All Mehiläinen professionals are committed to promoting equality and non-discrimination as part of Mehiläinen's Code of Conduct.
Read more about equality and non-discrimination at Mehiläinen
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