Former Oulu employment relations chief sues city over dismissal

Oulu’s former employment relations manager Mauri Mikkola has sued the city, alleging it violated the Equality Act and discriminated against him, Yle reported, citing the newspaper Kaleva.

Mikkola filed the case with Oulu District Court in early September and is seeking 30,000 euros in compensation, plus interest. The city rejects all his claims and is asking the court to dismiss the case and order Mikkola to pay its legal costs. It says there were strong grounds for his dismissal, Kaleva reported.

The city dismissed Mikkola in January 2025, citing a breakdown in trust. The dispute followed Mikkola’s requests to police to investigate several people in the city’s leadership. The city said he had breached his duty of loyalty.

Police are investigating suspected abuse of public office and employment discrimination. The suspicions concern people who could have dismissed Mikkola, which in practice means senior city officials. Oulu Mayor Ari Alatossava made the decision to dismiss him.

City council chair Lauri Nikula has said he is suspected of an official crime. Alatossava has called the allegations of abuse of public office and employment discrimination unreasonable. Nikula also denies wrongdoing.