The Ollaan ihmisiksi (‘Let’s behave’) campaign begins – combatting inappropriate behaviour through cooperative effort

The Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign seeks to awaken citizens to think about their own role in enhancing the occupational well-being of customer service professionals.

“Commerce is the largest employer in the economy and the largest employer of young people. We want stores to be safe and pleasant places to work. For employers, it is also a question of personnel safety, their health and safety at work, and in a broader sense it is a question of responsibility,” says Anna Lavikkala, Labour Market Director at the Finnish Commerce Federation.

The Finnish Commerce Federation and PAM launched their first Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign at the end of 2017. Unfortunately, many professionals in the commerce sector are still faced with inappropriate behaviour in their work.

“The verbal violence and inappropriate behaviour experienced by salespeople continue to be common. Unfortunately, the campaign’s message is not outdated – on the contrary,” says Erika Kähärä, Occupational Health and Safety Advisor at PAM.

The unions recommend that people maintain a relaxed Christmas cheer when shopping.

“The work and competence of customer service should be respected. A positive cycle is created when employees feel good and the customer has a positive service experience,” the unions state.

The Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign has traditions and the means to move forward

The Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign of the Finnish Commerce Federation and PAM takes place in the busy peak season for commerce – the Christmas trade. The launch date is Monday 29 November. It is also Cyber Monday, with the previous Friday being Black Friday – both commercial theme days from around the world.

The Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign was first launched by the partners at the end of 2017.

The message of the Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign has made an impact on the wider customer service community, and other parties have also wanted to participate: The City of Vantaa carried out its own Ollaan ihmisiksi campaign in 2019, and this autumn the City of Tampere has been vocal about the issue.

“The Ollaan ihmisiksi communication campaigns share an important main message and a common logo, but otherwise the way they are conducted varies. We are delighted that the message is spreading and that the discussion on this important theme is being strengthened through cooperation,” says Pia Pere-Vanhanen, Communications Director at the Finnish Commerce Federation.

The campaign of the Finnish Commerce Federation and PAM is visible in social media and stores. On social media, the following campaign tags are used: #ollaanihmisiksi, #vänligtbemött and #letsbehave.

Further information:

Anna Lavikkala, Labour Market Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, tel. +358 (0) 400 406 088, anna.lavikkala(at)kauppa.fi

Erika Kähärä, Occupational Health and Safety Advisor, Service Union United PAM, tel. +358 (0)40 764 5295, erika.kahara(at)pam.fi

For more information on the Ollaan ihmisiksi communications campaign:

Pia Pere-Vanhanen, Communications Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, tel. +358 (0) 40 867 1708, pia.pere-vanhanen(at)kauppa

The Finnish Commerce Federation is the voice of commerce, the largest industry in society. We connect the entire industry from retail and wholesale trade to digital commerce. We negotiate trade employment agreements and industrial policy solutions. We work to ensure that commerce and services in Finland thrive and succeed in tough international competition. www.kauppa.fi  

Service Union United PAM is a trade union for people working in the private services sectors. PAM has about 200 000 members, of which nearly 80 percent are women. Most PAM members work in retail, hotel and restaurant services, property services or security services. www.pam.fi/en