Hus announces unprecedented mass layoffs affecting up to 990 positions in Finland

Nina Jaara, the chief union representative for HUS, has described proposed mass layoffs by the organization as unprecedented and alarming. HUS announced this morning that it is initiating restructuring negotiations affecting all staff, which could lead to a reduction of up to 990 full-time equivalent positions. The organization aims to achieve savings of approximately 50 million euros.

In addition to layoffs, staff reductions may be accomplished through part-time positions or changes in job responsibilities. Jaara noted that such significant staff cuts will inevitably impact patient care, leading to longer wait times for treatments. According to HUS, the cuts will primarily affect areas outside direct patient care, a move Jaara finds problematic, suggesting that the workload for remaining nurses may increase and lead them to take on tasks outside their professional responsibilities.

Jaara criticized the negotiations as contradictory, especially as Finland has been working to resolve a nursing shortage for some time. The situation may worsen, as she pointed out that the profession’s attractiveness to new recruits could diminish due to these layoffs.

Millariikka Rytkönen, chair of the Tehy union, commented that the HUS plans reflect political pressures from Finland’s finance minister, suggesting that decision-makers are prompting HUS to cut its most effective units and resources, including high-performing hospitals and whole teams. Rytkönen called for clarity from officials about how healthcare for residents of Helsinki and the Uusimaa region will be managed following these drastic cuts.