Wolt’s international team at Helsinki office faces challenges in integrating foreign workers

At Wolt’s Helsinki office, English is the official working language, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its employees. Among them is Jeff Strauss, the chief technology officer from the United States, who moved to Finland nearly three years ago. While he has thrived in the international work environment, his family faced challenges in settling down. His wife struggled to find work in her field due to the language barrier, which Strauss described as “very difficult.” Compounding their difficulties, their 17-year-old son had to leave Finland after turning 18, an experience that Strauss recounts in a video.

Elif Kocaman, Wolt’s analytics director from Turkey, also faced hurdles when she relocated to Finland 13 years ago for studies. Now a Finnish citizen, she admits that while she’s comfortable working in English, public interactions have sometimes been unpleasant due to discrimination.

Despite these challenges, both Strauss and Kocaman appreciate the positives of life in Finland, including its nature, safety, and the potential for deep friendships with locals. The balance between work and leisure is particularly valued, with Kocaman noting that long work hours are not enforced.

Tarun Sharma, the operational director of Nokia Ventures, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the need for talent from diverse backgrounds to ensure a company’s success, regardless of where employees come from.

However, a recent study indicates that language barriers remain significant obstacles to employing foreign workers in Finland. Sixty percent of employers perceive these challenges as serious impediments. Elina Koskela from staff agency Barona advises companies to relax language requirements, especially as Finland faces an aging population.

Moreover, Sofia Polls from recruiting agency Finders Seekers noted that while English use in tech jobs has increased, biases against foreign qualifications still exist. Crucially, Finnish companies must remain open-minded as they face competition for talent globally, especially in attractive markets like Berlin.

Efforts to improve the integration of foreign workers include specialized support systems, such as those established by Supercell to assist employees and their families. Growth in work-based immigration, however, is tapering as the government considers new exit regulations for specialists. Companies worry this could harm Finland’s reputation among international talent.