Workplaces with fewer than 10 employees receive the best ratings for work-life balance

Finnish workplaces have an atmosphere of trust and the opportunity to reconcile work and family life. This is the assessment of a clear majority of those in working life in the Working Life Gallup. 

71 percent of those in the workforce feel that the atmosphere at their workplace is confidential, while 23 percent disagree. 68 percent believe that equal treatment is achieved, and 27 percent feel otherwise. 

The best grades are given to workplaces with fewer employees, where family life balance, equality and trust are rated high. A good work atmosphere is considered a more important factor in job satisfaction than salary. 

– Workplaces with fewer than ten employees in particular receive the best ratings: trust, equal treatment and information flow are in order. The result is not surprising, as the same phenomenon is also consistently repeated year after year in the Ministry of Employment and the Economy's Working Conditions Barometer, expert Niko Nurmela The Finnish Entrepreneurs Association says. 

– Things are going particularly well in smaller workplaces. It is also gratifying that the results have generally improved in all measured areas compared to last year, Nurmela continues. 

The weakest estimates come from welfare areas and partly from the state. 

Atmosphere more important than salary

According to those in working life, the work atmosphere and team spirit, salary, and the meaning of the work have the greatest impact on job satisfaction. The employer's values ​​and employee benefits are perceived to be of the least importance. 

62 percent of respondents rate the management at their workplace as good, and 31 percent disagree. 

– Good management receives the lowest scores of the measured areas, but in small companies it is clearly better than others. Close management is a strength of a small company, Nurmela states. 

Women's assessments of the workplace atmosphere, equality and communication are slightly more negative than men's. Differences between age groups are small, but 18–29 year olds assess their workplace more positively than others. 

The best ratings are given by entrepreneurs and private practitioners, managers and senior employees. The lowest ratings come from employees and lower-level employees.