Work that fits your life situation
Returning to working life can be possible even after a serious illness.
You can feel safe working at PKO, even if your ability to work declines for any reason. You may even find a new career direction through job trials.Everyone’s ability to work varies at different stages of their career. It can be weakened by, for example, illness, accidents, excessive workloads, challenging life circumstances or the changes ageing brings.‘Our early support model aims to strengthen the culture of care in our workplace. At the same time, it ensures equal treatment for everyone,’ says Jari Jurvanen, occupational safety manager.The challenges of coping at work can often be solved by modifying the person's job in their unit, for example, by reducing their workload. This isn’t always enough, and then we need to think about other solutions. One such solution can be a job trial in another unit, or even in another sector. If the job trial is successful, the person can be placed in the new unit.
Returning to working life can be possible even after a serious illness.
This happened to Vappu Turunen, who was able to complete her studies through apprenticeship training.Father’s Day 2017 began in a dramatic way for Vappu Turunen. When she tried to get out of bed in the morning, her legs wouldn’t hold her. Her husband took Vappu to the hospital, but it took a long time before she was able to get an MRI scan of her brain. By this point, nearly two weeks had passed since the stroke, and nothing could be done about the damage it had caused. When a part of the brain is damaged, the change is permanent.‘I had lost 40 per cent of my vision, and my arm was so weak I couldn’t even lift a frying pan. I also had difficulties with speech and balance,’ says Vappu. Until then, she had been perfectly healthy and had shown no prior symptoms. The first sign came the day before the stroke, when Vappu fainted at work in the Valtimo S-market, but she recovered quickly. The stroke was later diagnosed as atypical.Fulfilled dreams
Today, Vappu works in the very same store under a two-year employment contract. She has also completed a vocational qualification in business and administration through apprenticeship training. Two dreams have come true.‘At the time, five years ago, I had just started my business studies and was completing my practical training requirement at an S-market. When I fell ill, my first thought was: is this the end? The doctors were seriously preparing to place me on disability pension. I was down, but then I got back up. I started walking in nature. I cried and walked. In just over a year, I covered 3,500 kilometres,’ she says.Her husband, who works at Riveria, was a tremendous source of support all the time. He believed that Vappu was still capable of working – after all, she was only 50 years old, meaning that she potentially had many working years ahead of her.Never give up
Due to her reduced working capacity, the prospects of returning to employment didn’t seem promising until Vappu was offered a work try-out in a familiar setting: the S-market in Valtimo. ‘Vappu is a hands-on person who truly enjoys her work. People like her are far too valuable to be left out of working life,’ says supermarket manager Jani Taskinen.It was Jani who suggested that Vappu complete her unfinished studies through apprenticeship training. ‘Here we have an outstanding result,’ Jani says about Vappu, who recently received her diploma. ‘I wouldn’t be here without Jani. He never stopped believing in me,’ Vappu says with gratitude. Jani says that Vappu’s story has touched the entire workplace community.‘We should never forget to appreciate being healthy and having a job. You never know what the next day will bring,’ Jani points out.Since falling ill, Vappu has learned that if you truly want something, you have to work for it and, if necessary, even fight for it. She had to do just that, when the assistant who had been assigned to support her was taken away. Fortunately, Vappu didn’t give up. She managed to get her assistant back and was able to complete her studies – with excellent marks. Vappu Turunen at the S-market in ValtimoThe article was originally published in PKO’s staff magazine, PKO Sanomat, issue 4/2022.
Riku Tuupanen
Overcoming challenges, pursuing dreams
Riku Tuupanen, whose studies at Riveria focused on the restaurant industry, felt like he had arrived at his dream job when he was admitted to a traineeship at the BePop restaurant in 2016.It didn’t take long for Riku to confidently oversee the sports bar Bar Play as the shift manager.The work was exactly what he had been dreaming of – he could make food and drinks and create experiences for customers.At first, nothing slowed him down, not even the fact that he had broken his right ankle a while earlier. This had happened at work during the busy preparations for the Karhurock festival in Kitee, when Riku jumped from the back of a lorry while holding several drinks crates.Then there was a new accident. Riku tripped and broke his leg again, now in two different places. He got a cast on his foot, and the physiotherapist recommended rehabilitation exercises.‘In hindsight, I can say that I was too indifferent about the importance of rehabilitation. When my foot really started to hurt, I had to seriously think about whether I could continue working at a job where you need to stand, walk and lift loads. It was a shock.’The working capacity negotiations resulted in looking for a new career direction for Riku. Riku knew that he wouldn't leave the restaurant business easily. Fortunately, PKO is a large operator, and the accommodation and food service business is one of its significant business areas.Riku now happily works as a marketing service manager in the travel and hospitality support operations. The transition was natural for Riku, who had already worked with social media and event organising.The article was originally published in PKO’s staff magazine, PKO Sanomat, issue 4/2021.
Aada Summala
Uncertainty gave way to a new job
Aada Summala enjoys working in customer service. Her job at the Sokos food court was very pleasant, the days varied, and her colleagues were nice. Then something bad happened. A strange rash appeared on Aada’s hands, which didn’t seem to get better. Despite many examinations, the cause of the rash was never found. Occupational healthcare handed down a seemingly harsh decision: Aada could not handle food products.‘At first, the worst part was the uncertainty about what would happen – does this mean I won’t have work? But within a couple of months, I was relieved to hear that there was a new job available close by at the S-market on Kauppakatu.’Aada works in the store at the cash register and with industrial food products. Her colleagues have welcomed the new employee. ‘You learn by asking questions,’ she says. ‘The rash is still sometimes there, but it’s been getting better.’ The article was originally published in PKO’s staff magazine, PKO Sanomat, issue 4/2021.
Rita Lumerto
A big thank you to the employer
Rita Lumerto openly talks about her diagnosis in the spring of 2021. She learned that she was suffering from moderate depression, which explained many of her prior symptoms. Ten to fifteen per cent of people suffer from various affective disorders during their lives, which are a common reason for early retirement.Rita says she really liked working at the small ABC Prisma, where she had started in April 2019. However, the job changed quite a bit when the employees from Voimatie were relocated into the Prisma cash register team. The work at ABC continued with shifts every other week.Rita says that changes have always been difficult for her.‘In addition, I have hypersensitivity, so a large and noisy environment didn’t work for me. Initially, I asked for and received shorter work shifts, but then things began to snowball. One sick day followed another. The mental load began to appear as physical symptoms.’When Rita reached the limits of sick leave, occupational healthcare contacted her manager. Rita’s spouse was also present at her working capacity negotiations.‘At first, I was quite confused. However, I felt good when I realised that everyone wanted to do their best to help me continue my career.Rita found a new home unit at S-market Penttilänranta, where she trained for a couple of months first and then started a full-time job in March after her job trial. The store is fairly new and quiet, with a nice group of employees and varied tasks.‘I’m lucky. The employer has done a brilliant job and has been very flexible,’ Rita says.The article was originally published in PKO’s staff magazine, PKO Sanomat issue 4/2021.
Ia-Päivikki Jaakkonen
Finding the right solution
Ia-Päivikki Jaakkonen worked at PKO some ten years ago, left to study, and came back at the end of 2017.Her job at ABC Siihtala – at Hesburger, in the kitchen and store – was very fast-paced, but it started getting tough with the addition of night shifts. They weren’t Päivikki’s thing. Detergents, smoke or indoor air? The cause of her continuous respiratory infections was never resolved.‘I went through the early support discussion with the supervisor, and he suggested that I try working somewhere else. I have a salesperson's vocational degree, so transferring to the store didn’t seem like a bad idea.’ S-market Niinivaara became her new home.‘I feel privileged. My work is meaningful, and I can develop my skills. I appreciate the employer actively looking for new opportunities. The transition to another unit was the right choice for me.’
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