Kela board backs management after leadership review

Yle reports that the board of Finland’s Social Insurance Institution, Kela, supports its management after receiving a review of the organisation’s leadership.

Board chair Jaana Laitinen-Pesola said the review showed that Kela is a strong organisation capable of operating effectively. She said it was also useful that the review identified areas for development, particularly cooperation and building trust.

The board received the review only on Wednesday and will examine its contents more closely during the autumn. Laitinen-Pesola said there was no single central cause behind the leadership issues.

She said the entire organisation must be involved in leadership and kept informed about developments. The senior management must also build trust with both employees and the board, she said.

Laitinen-Pesola said several measures had already been taken, including reviews of the rules of procedure, good governance and the communications plan. The board will consider during the autumn what else is needed to improve the smooth flow of decision-making and cooperation.

She also said Kela Director General Lasse Lehtonen continued to have the board’s confidence.

The board commissioned the review from external expert and psychologist Ilona Rauhala after comments by Lehtonen about remote work and Kela’s staff prompted discussion. The review was delayed because Lehtonen, who was on sick leave, could not be interviewed.

Lehtonen went on sick leave in December because of a serious illness and returned to work at the beginning of June.