Helsinki payroll service launches talks affecting up to 100 workers

Helsinki’s financial and payroll services provider Talpa is starting cooperation negotiations that could affect up to 100 employees, Yle reports. The talks cover all staff except senior management. Talpa has about 430 employees.

Talpa’s chief executive, Anniina Kitula, said the negotiations aim to assess a possible organisational overhaul. The goals include improving productivity and cost efficiency, standardising service processes and increasing the use of automation and artificial intelligence.

“The changes are intended to ensure Talpa’s ability to operate in a changing environment,” Kitula said.

Large-scale redundancies are not currently expected. Under Helsinki’s strategy, the city does not dismiss employees during organisational changes if they are willing to move to new duties matching their skills and experience.

The changes could affect employees’ duties, areas of responsibility, job titles, skills requirements, team structures and staffing needs.

Kitula said the negotiations were not linked to earlier difficulties with payroll payments at Talpa, saying the situation had been stable for a long time.

Talpa is a municipal enterprise responsible for Helsinki’s financial administration and payroll services. It pays all city employees, handles the city’s invoices, prepares Helsinki’s financial statements and manages its accounting and purchase invoices.

Talpa has operated as a municipal enterprise for more than 10 years. Its turnover is slightly above 40 million euros.