The city of Riihimäki awards the Manager of the Year and the Employees of the Year

At work in Riksu, there is a story series in which the employees of the city of Riihimäki talk about their work.

For the first time, the city of Riihimäki is awarding the Employee of the Year awards and the Supervisor of the Year award to employees selected from its staff. The awards highlight the excellent work done at Riihimäki city workplaces, which is in line with the values ​​of the city of Riihimäki and promotes the city's goals.

"Furthermore, the employees of the year and the supervisor have, with their own attitude and contribution, positively influenced the work atmosphere and work development in their own work community," says personnel development manager Päivi Ojanen.

The Employee of the Year awards go to spatial information coordinator Johanna Hyytinen, environmental inspector Riina Lehtinen, property manager Tero Ojala, special library clerk Anna-Maija Ahola, nurse Nina Åman and water supply secretary Viivi Tuominen. The front person of the year award goes to service manager Pauliina Siik.

The awardees have been selected in the cooperation bodies of the city of Riihimäki, i.e. the person of the year was selected in the development committee and the employees of the year were selected in the development groups of the industry and domains.

All city employees were allowed to propose award recipients anonymously during the past autumn. There were 60 suggestions for employees to be rewarded and 32 for supervisors. According to the award criteria, the employees who are rewarded are, among other things, fair, development-oriented and solution-oriented. The award-winning supervisor, on the other hand, creates a safe framework for work, encourages innovation and trusts in the employees' skills. The amount of the prizes is one hundred euros, which is given as an exercise, cultural and massage benefit.

Hyytinen helps and supports

Administrative and Group Services' Employee of the Year is geospatial coordinator Johanna Hyytinen. Her award criteria state, among other things, the following: "Johanna has supported and helped across organizational boundaries, despite her very challenging work situations, always with a really wonderful and friendly attitude. Johanna has been able to resolve even challenging situations quickly and professionally".

How do you feel now, Johanna Hyytinen?

"I am really surprised. I didn't even know that we have such an award, and I didn't even know that I myself was one of the candidates. The surprise was even greater because most of my partners in the city are from outside the administrative services".

What do you do for living?

"I am a spatial data coordinator and I promote the use of spatial data throughout the city. Location data is all information related to a certain location and is used, for example, in reports and to support decision-making. For example, a traffic sign register was just added to the city's geographic information system, which contains information about all the city's traffic signs, such as condition and price information. Based on this, in the future, it will be possible to more accurately assess how much money needs to be set aside each year for replacing traffic signs in poor condition."

What is the best thing about your job?

"The fact that I can help colleagues do their work better. No working day is the same, and I constantly get to both learn new things and solve problems."

Which working life skills are important to you?

"Definitely cooperation skills, because work is largely communication in different directions."

Did you grow up to be what you wanted to be when you were little?

"Did not come. I wanted to become a volcanologist, but it would be a bit difficult to do that in Finland. I've always loved maps and studying them, so it's nice to be able to work with them."

Describe the city of Riihimäki as an employer.

"The city of Riihimäki is an inspiring and development-oriented employer. The colleagues are good and it is easy to combine work and free time."

What do you dream of?

"My dream is to go on a longer hiking trip. I won't reveal the destination, but it would be a trip of at least a month."

Siik encourages and trusts

The person in charge of the year will be awarded against service manager Pauliina Siik from Riihimäki home care. His award criteria state, among other things, the following: "Fair, approachable, equal and encouraging. Pauliina trusts the professionalism of her employees and encourages them to develop and develop their own work. Is also always open to new ideas and development proposals."

How do you feel now, Pauliina Siik?

"Really great. I will feel that I have succeeded. I didn't expect this.”

What do you do for living?

"I am the manager of the southern region of home care. Three teams of middle management, which include approximately 30 employees. There are 130 customers. I have been in this position for a little over a year. Before that, I was a nurse at the Tiilikatu rehabilitation unit and I also acted as a substitute for a service manager there."

What is the best thing about your job?

"Employees. I could not have succeeded without my teams. I have the best three teams."

Which working life skills are important to you?

"The ability to meet people and be their equal. The ability to be approachable."

Did you grow up to be what you wanted to be when you were little?

"I always wanted to work in the nursing field and it came true. In the position of service manager, I have been able to continue in the nursing field with a new perspective."

Describe the city of Riihimäki as an employer.

"Very flexible, encouraging and supportive. The employee's strengths are well taken into account."

What do you dream of?

"I dream of a long vacation in Spain - I've been there a lot and it's an easy destination with children. Maybe someday I would also like to work abroad."

Marke Harkas, Susanna Puisto​