Learning About Well-Being, Workplace Interaction, and Creativity at the Working Life Research Days

The Working Life Research Days 2024 were held as per tradition at Tampere University in November. During the opening ceremony, the scale of participation became evident as hundreds of experts researching and developing working life gathered in one hall. They were welcomed by Anne Mäkikangas, followed by the opening remarks of Tampere University’s rector and an exceptionally captivating keynote by Professor Mika Kivimäki from the University of Helsinki. In his keynote, Kivimäki presented groundbreaking research on work as both a promoter of health and a risk factor. The presentation provided insights into factors threatening occupational health, the effects of vacations on well-being, and various work-related illnesses.
For example, we learned that long, uninterrupted vacations can promote recovery. However, for individuals whose workload accumulates during their absence, vacations might cause stress, making shorter breaks potentially more effective. Kivimäki also highlighted that the content of work is a more significant predictor of work ability than community or leadership factors, although these aspects matter too. Even more influential predictors include illnesses, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors.

From the JATKOT group, Marianne, Teemu, and Soila attended the research days. On Friday, we organized a thematic session focused on creativity, innovation, and organizational development. Otherwise, we attended various sessions over the two days, each following our individual interests. We explored the latest findings in workplace well-being research and delved into problematic workplace interactions.

Problematic Workplace Interaction, Emotional Agency, and Manipulation
On Thursday afternoon, we joined a thematic session titled “Problematic Workplace Interaction.” Presentations included Sanni Marttinen’s insights into covert manipulation in work communities, Outi Kähäri and Sari Vanhanen’s findings on emotional agency as a resource in (dis)trust relationships within work communities, and Miira Niska, Vilhelmiina Lehto-Niskala, and Antero Olakivi’s observations on managerial interaction practices when eldercare workers express concerns about their jobs.
The latter study examined managerial responses to employee criticism, revealing roles managers adopt—either as bureaucrats or coaches. Marttinen’s examples of workplace manipulation highlighted how hierarchical power can serve as a tool for workplace bullying. As workplace interaction is crucial to both organizational operations and employee well-being, these topics represent a particularly vital research area.
Detailed information on these and other presentations can be found in the openly accessible abstract book: Abstract Book for Working Life Research Days 2024.

Workplace Well-Being Session Revealed the State of Finnish Occupational Health
Another Thursday session focused on “Threats and Opportunities for Workplace Well-Being: Research Insights and Tools for Promotion.” Speakers included Jari Hakanen, Sampo Suutala, Jie Li, and Janne Kaltiainen. Among the key takeaways were the multiple definitions of burnout, commonly described as a syndrome caused by prolonged work stress. Notably, burnout encompasses more than exhaustion, potentially affecting cognitive functioning as well.
The session also introduced the traffic light model for workplaces, addressing burnout symptoms such as chronic fatigue, emotional detachment, and disruptions in cognitive and emotional regulation. Alarming trends indicate that Finnish workers’ capacity has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with symptoms like cynicism, cognitive challenges, loneliness, and reduced life satisfaction being prevalent among the working-age population. However, supportive factors such as perceived competence, fair treatment, and autonomy at work were also highlighted.
The discussion included the concept of job crafting, referring to personal efforts to reshape work roles and set professional goals, which fosters identification with one’s profession and workplace, ultimately enhancing well-being. The session concluded with reflections on remote work, revealing that while it may increase boredom, it reduces chronic fatigue, particularly for those extensively engaged in telecommuting.

Creativity and Innovation in Everyday and Collective Work Contexts
On Friday morning, our group hosted a thematic session on Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace, featuring four presentations that sparked lively discussion and questions.

Teemu Ojala, our doctoral researcher, began with a review of psychological safety, collaborative learning, and strategy implementation in organizations. His findings noted a research gap in exploring these phenomena collectively, particularly in defining learning within strategic contexts.

Marianne Jaakkola discussed the interplay between creativity, workplace well-being, and leadership. Her results emphasized that organizational appreciation for creativity mediates the relationship between leadership and well-being, more so than individual creative self-efficacy.

Satu Parjanen from LUT University addressed barriers to collective creativity in expert communities, highlighting the dual role of diversity—as both an enabler and a challenge. Cognitive, communicative, and social distances were identified as key obstacles.

Finally, Soila Lemmetty explored innovation agency in police and technology fields. Her research examined roles, practices, and organizational structures enabling innovation and development work, revealing how agency evolves within these contexts.

Conclusion
The Working Life Research Days emphasize utilizing research knowledge to advance working life. Their multidisciplinary approach ensures a central focus on workplace issues. Engaging with researchers from various fields reinforced shared interests and underscored the value of collaboration.

Authors: Marianne Jaakkola, Soila Lemmetty & Teemu Ojala