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16.03.2022 13:56

Untangling employment issues with PAM’s employment advice

PAM Officer Isto Yrjönen encourages addressing issues early and explains how conflicts are resolved in workplaces and at PAM’s regional offices.

As a PAM member, you can get help with questions related to employment relationships.

– We always strive to find a settlement solution in conflict situations, says Isto Yrjönen from PAM’s regional office in Kuopio.

He is one of the many officers at PAM who assist, guide, and support members every day in resolving complex employment issues. Yrjönen himself has over a decade of experience working in the service industries and serving as a shop steward.

– The same problems still arise as they did during my time as a shop steward. I clearly remember how we found solutions to them, he says.

Typically, he joins the negotiation table with the member and their employer. Most conflicts are resolved at some point during the negotiation process. About ten percent of cases go to court, at which point one of PAM’s lawyers takes over.

Dialogue is key

PAM’s employment advice receives inquiries through various channels: email, phone calls, the eService, local union branches, or personal visits to the regional offices. Most often assistance is sought for questions regarding wages, working hours, and annual leave. Many issues can be resolved by proving advice.

If the situation between the worker and the employer cannot be resolved with advice alone, a PAM officer will handle it. These situations typically involve incorrectly paid wages or ambiguities in ending an employment relationship.

– We start by investigating the situation and supporting the member in every possible way so they can resolve the issue directly with their employer. These are the most sustainable solutions. If the employee’s own negotiations are unsuccessful, we initiate contact with the employer via email or phone, and if necessary, meet face-to-face, Yrjönen explains.

PAM officer Isto Yrjönen encourages contacting PAM if you have any questions about your employment relationship.

Close cooperation with authorities

PAM’s officers also work closely with regional authorities and labour inspectors. They also assist the police with compensation calculations in investigations related to extortion-like discrimination.

– We are an advocacy organization, but we do not have the powers of government officials. This means that unfortunately, we cannot directly call the workplace and demand that issues be corrected, Yrjönen clarifies.

Dispute resolution also has a societal dimension

Dispute resolution is a significant part of PAM’s activities, the results of which are not always visible to the public. Every year, PAM’s officers resolve between 700 and 1,000 cases with employers or employers’ associations where a solution has not been found at the workplace.

According to Yrjönen, this also has a significant societal impact. The more workplace conflicts that can be settled, the less pressure there is on the overburdened courts. Without the monitoring and collection of wage claims, tax revenue would also be lost from the public coffers.

“You don’t have to worry that your employer finds out you have contacted PAM.”

The best way to prevent conflicts from escalating in the workplace is to be aware of your rights and address issues promptly.

– If something about your employment relationship is troubling you, it’s always worth contacting PAM. We are here for our members, and there’s no need to worry that your employer will be informed about your contact with us, Yrjönen reminds.

Text: Minna Raitapuro

Photos: Akseli Muraja

Keywords:

employment relationship membership

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