For us, the well-being of our personnel is an essential part of our social responsibility. At West Welding, we focus on the health, comfort, and well-being of our personnel. A thriving employee in their everyday life also succeeds in their work, and a positive workplace atmosphere created together ensures that every team member enjoys their job at West Welding.
The basis of well-being at work: good benefits and occupational health
The well-being of our staff is comprehensively taken into account through various benefits. As an employment benefit, we offer a sports and culture benefit, enabling employees to participate in various events such as festivals or utilize the benefit for activities like cinema tickets, gym memberships, and even massages. These benefits not only enhance the well-being of our staff during their leisure time but also positively impact their well-being at work.
Occupational health services, on the other hand, ensure fast and accessible health services, which are essential especially in a small town. Occupational health doesn’t just focus on work-related health issues but also covers some specialized medical services.
Spending time together and refreshing during recreational days and social gatherings
Our personnel highly enjoy recreational days. Events such as bowling, concerts, our own Oktoberfest, and attending ice hockey matches have provided us not only refreshment but also opportunities to spend time together as a team. Additionally, we have organized social gatherings with various themes at our premises, which have been well-received by our employees.
“There have been so many well-being initiatives that surely everyone finds something suitable,” says our financial manager Päivi Niemelä, who has been organizing recreational days.
Last summer, we celebrated West Welding’s 40-year journey by organizing a big party, comprising both a family event open to residents of Teuva and an evening celebration for our employees and subcontractors. During the daytime event, employees’ families and locals got to see our company in action, attracting hundreds of attendees. The event enhanced community spirit, and as a responsible company, we aim to support and develop local activities.
“We served food, and for families, there were attractions such as a bouncy castle, a balloon artist, and pony rides,” says production manager Matti Tuomisto, who was involved in organizing the celebrations.
The evening party took place in our new paint hall, which was decorated for the party, featuring catering and live music by a band. Employees and their partners, as well as important subcontractors, were invited. Tuomisto explains that although organizing the celebrations took a lot of work, it was worth it as the event was a great success, fostering a sense of community and belonging as employees got to know each other and their families better.
Well-being leads to long-term employments and sharing knowledge
Taking care of employee well-being significantly impacts their job satisfaction and retention, with many employees staying with us for decades, some for over thirty years. Experienced employees are keen to pass on their knowledge to younger colleagues, ensuring valuable expertise stays within the company.
One employee, who has been with us for 23 years, emphasizes that a good team, fair pay, and effective management are the main motivators for him. Our continuous development is evident in employees’ motivation to learn and engage in diverse projects. They are inspired to grow alongside the company and develop their comprehensive skills. Sharing the knowledge and skills accumulated over long careers provides younger employees with the best foundation for their professional development.
Our excellent work atmosphere is evident not only in special events but also in our daily operations. Through the example set by management and mutual respect among colleagues, a positive atmosphere prevails in the workplace. Humor and a close-knit community are essential parts of our company culture and contribute to our employees’ well-being. One retired employee enjoyed his work so much that he promised to return and contribute even after his retirement.
Focusing on employee well-being always pays off, and it is important for us to ensure that our employees are comfortable and able to cope at work in the future. Employee well-being, sharing long-standing expertise, social events, and an excellent work atmosphere are essential factors in building a successful and responsible business.
