Healthy and sustainable work life

Mindful work life

Finding solutions for the wellbeing of the mind in work life

Work life is undergoing a transformation that we need to understand better, and from which we must learn. Well-being at work – including resilience, success, and development – is becoming increasingly linked to mental well-being.

At Gofore, we want to deepen our understanding of this change and open a discussion on how we can collectively improve workplace well-being and support each other. Join the conversation!

d i g i t a l w o r l d a n e t h i c a l P i o n e e r i n g

Work life demands and mental well-being

Mental health issues impact work life both humanly and economically, challenging Finland’s competitiveness. It’s about the real and perceived demands of work life, as well as deeply rooted expectations in culture and society. Additionally, our attitude towards our own mental health has shifted.

We believe that finding solutions requires considering three perspectives simultaneously: what we can improve in workplaces, what changes are needed in society, and what individuals can do themselves.

Five Goforeans (two women, three men) sitting in the office and talking together.

Blog

A Meaningful Work Life

The constant changes in work life highlight the importance of mental well-being. At Gofore, we recognise self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills as key strengths in today’s work life. We work together to create a better work culture where everyone can experience a sense of purpose and community. We understand that mental health challenges affect us all, and we aim to be leaders in addressing these challenges. Learning and development are central processes that we actively support.

As work life evolves, it’s crucial to understand and support each other’s mental well-being. How can we listen to one another more closely and recognise the signs of well-being? Explore our blog, where we delve deeper into these questions and share insights on how we can collectively build a healthier and more meaningful work environment.

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The impact of mental health on work life

General fact

  • In Finland, the loss of work effort due to long-term mental health-related absences in 2023 was estimated at 5.8 million workdays. In addition to human suffering, this caused at least one billion euros in costs (Kela data source, in Finnish).
  • Mental health-related sickness benefit days paid to young women were five times more in the past few years than in 2005 (Finland).

Data of Gofore

  • About 6% of Gofore workforce is on sick leave for mental health reasons annually. For us, this meant 3,984 absence days, or 17.5 work years in 2023, when Gofore had 1,242 employees in Finland.
  • At Gofore, women are twice as likely to be on sick leave for mental health reasons than men (2021-24).

Actions by Gofore to promote mental well-being

1. Awareness is the first step

We will start reporting data on mental health-related sick leave within our company in Finland. We are committed to open and transparent communication with our investors as a publicly listed company. This new step complements our long-standing practice of reporting key metrics, such as revenue and employee-related figures, on a monthly basis since our journey on the stock exchange began.

 

 

2. We Do Mind – Learning together

We organise We Do Mind after-work sessions for our crew, where we dive into mental well-being and explore gender differences in resilience. Before the after-work events, we invite all Goforeans to share their thoughts and experiences on the theme. After the event, we will share what we have learned: are there differences in the work experiences of women and men, and what can we do together when challenges feel overwhelming?

3. Gofore Impact Foundation seeks and supports new solutions

Our Gofore Impact Foundation is exploring opportunities to support a creative research project that combines mental health and digitalisation. We aim to investigate whether the digital world is making us mentally more vulnerable – and how we can foster positive development.

4. Moving forward together – From young people's concerns to a better work life

We are exploring and discussing with our student network the concerns young people have regarding resilience in work life. The goal is to build trust and foster growth towards a fulfilling and sustainable work life.

Our actions to support the brain health of Goforeans

  • Investing in the success of our people leaders: clear role descriptions, training, people leader community, engaging people leaders
  • Developing leadership practices
  • Employee experience surveys as a tool for improving workplace well-being
  • Collective agreement provisions for life and work situations: support for caring for a sick child or parent, broadening the definition of family, parental, family, adoption, and infertility treatment leave practices
  • Brain-friendly office spaces
  • Comprehensive occupational health services, including psychological services and neuropsychiatric assessments
  • A wide range of well-being benefits, such as bike benefit, health benefits, massage benefit
  • Flexible working conditions
  • Encouraging Goforeans to share brain health tips
  • Sessions and a brain health podcast for Goforeans
  • We Do Mind after-work sessions for open discussions
  • Publishing mental health-related sick leave statistics to increase transparency and support development efforts
  • Engaging student partners to address future employees’ dreams and concerns
  • Involving the Impact Foundation
  • Involving Goforeans in company decisions and ensuring transparency
  • Providing opportunities for recreational activities on Gofore’s premises
  • Communality Crew activities to enable meaningful encounters

One of our strategic objectives is to be a growth company that creates customer value and builds a sustainable work life.

Goforeans’ tips for brain-friendly working

  • Ensure sufficient sleep: Good sleep is vital for brain recovery. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night and create a calming bedtime routine.
  • Healthy eating habits: Opt for a varied and healthy diet. Make nutritious choices and ensure regular meals – brain health starts with what’s on your plate.
  • Exercise regularly: Daily physical activity, such as walking, boosts your mood and reduces stress. Small bursts of exercise during the workday help keep your energy levels up.
  • Take breaks: Take micro-breaks between tasks or meetings. For example, after 25 minutes of focused work, take a few minutes to relax.
  • Limit distractions: Turn off unnecessary notifications on your phone and apps to stay focused without interruptions.
  • Organise your tools: Use tools like OneNote and Microsoft To-Do to keep notes and task lists organised. Keep your to-do list short and focus on the most important tasks.
  • Plan your workday: Review the week ahead and set aside time for focused work without meetings. This helps prioritise tasks and ensures important things get done.
  • Social interaction: Spending time with friends, family, and colleagues can reduce feelings of loneliness and stimulate your brain. Shared moments and conversations bring joy and support well-being.
  • Say “no” when needed: Learn to say no when you have enough on your plate. Prioritise your well-being and avoid overloading yourself.

Blog

My journey to better mental health

Maintaining mental well-being is an essential part of overall health and resilience, especially in the workplace. Pauliina, who works at Gofore, shares her story about the steps she has taken to improve her mental health. She highlights key insights from her journey and how small actions and the right support can help create balance in everyday life.

Read more about Pauliina’s experiences and discover how she found ways to enhance her mental well-being.

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Join the crew

Be the culture you want to be surrounded by

The work community, and therefore also Gofore as a company, is developed by the efforts of all Gofore people. We support the development of experts in a versatile way. We care!

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