Expectations for high-quality supervisor work are growing. The aim of the checklist for equality in supervisor work is to offer concrete principles that support leadership that is fair and just to everyone.
– We have encapsulated suggestions that are suitable for supporting supervisors in most workplaces within the public sector. The eight points in the checklist support organisations’ pre-existing leadership practices and help supervisors make equality a visible part of everyday work life, Riitta Kajander, Human Resources Manager at the Helsinki Parish Union explains.
Equal opportunities for everyone
Equality in work life means that all employees have equal opportunities and rights irrespective of their personal attributes, such as age, gender, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. This shows in everyday work life for example in the recruitment process, training, career opportunities, and compensation.
The eight points in the checklist are meant to encourage supervisors to start by identifying their own thoughts and emotions. Based on this they can promote openness, equity, and continuous self-reflection in their leadership.
– The important thing in the realisation of equality is that employers consistently follow their decisions and jointly agreed rules. This creates a foundation for equal and fair treatment, says Mika Gylén, Human Resources Manager at Keva.
The checklist as a support for discussion in the work community
Compiling the checklist began in January 2025, when over 40 supervisors and experts from the public sector listed around 70 good practices altogether. A concise checklist of eight points was compiled based on these in May. The checklist summarises the most important principles the supervisors identified.
The checklist encourages supervisors to be aware of and value diversity in the workplace, make decision-making and communication open and accessible, identify presuppositions of their own and in the community, accept emotions as a part of work life, defend equity, and utilise diverse hiring practices.
– These concrete principles support supervisors in their daily work and help them identify which things are working smoothly and which things in the work community still need to be developed. Good and equal supervisor work is a very important part of an employee’s work experience, says Petri Lumijärvi, Human Resources Manager at the City of Helsinki.
The checklist can for example be used in team meetings and in conjunction with performance appraisals as a discussion opener and to help create a common direction.