A previously unknown coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) started to spread in China in December 2019. This virus causes a disease called COVID-19. Due to the global pandemic caused by the disease, there are exceptional circumstances in Finland that affect the daily lives and operating methods of all of us.

Academic Work is constantly monitoring the development of the situation and following the instructions of the authorities. The sources of information used are mainly the recommendations provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Finnish Government, the European Center of Disease Control (ECDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

We have put together guidelines for you, Academic Work's Consultant. Our guidelines are based on the recommendations of the abovementioned authorities.

Our will and priority are to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by following the guidelines of the authorities thoroughly. Please note that it is your responsibility to follow up-to-date regulatory guidelines issued by the authorities, the client company, and Academic Work.

The most important thing for us is that we all stay healthy and safe.

Guidelines

Remote work

Academic Work follows authorities’ instructions and guidelines about remote work.
Consultants must follow the client company’s instructions on office, remote and hybrid work. Always agree to work remotely directly with your manager at the client company and make sure you have all the necessary tools you need to work remotely.
If your computer is left at the office and you must stay in quarantine, you can ask a colleague to send it to you in a taxi and claim a refund for the taxi ride.
All our consultants are remote work ensured, which means that your insurance is valid when you work remotely in Finland.

Hygiene & vaccination

Each of us can slow down the spread of the virus through our own actions by maintaining good hygiene and reducing the number of social contacts. In all situations, it is important to:

Avoid physical contact
Avoid close contact as much as possible
Maintain good hand, coughing, and sneezing hygiene

In addition, we recommend the use of face masks in situations where it is difficult to maintain safe distances. Such situations arise, for example, in public transport.

We urge you to read and follow the official guidelines of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health for hygiene care. In addition, we recommend the use of face masks in accordance with authorities’ instructions and guidelines. When using public transport, please also check with the service provider about face masks and other guidelines (e.g. HSL and VR).

We recommend that our employees take the Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine helps protect both you and others from the disease, especially the severe forms. For more information on the vaccine's effectiveness and efficacy, visit the National Institute for Health and Welfare website. The vaccine is currently available free of charge from public health services and local authorities are responsible for the arrangements for the coronary vaccine. You should therefore check the guidelines issued by your local health authority. For general information on the vaccine, you can read for example on the website of the National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Covid-19 testing practices in occupational health care (updated 14.1.2022)

In January 2022, we have updated our guidelines for interest rate testing in occupational health care. Going forward:

In certain cases, an employee can go to Terveystalo for an asymptomatic Covid-19 test, but this always requires a commitment to pay from the employer - without this, no appointment can be booked. A commitment is possible if a) you have been exposed to the virus at work and need a test, or b) a negative test result is required for a business trip. In these cases, please contact your consultant manager to obtain a commitment. If you book the testing without one, Academic Work will not pay the bill.
Those in Extended Occupational Health (those who have worked more than 4 months) may book a test appointment if there are flu or other possible Covid-19 symptoms (note: not an antibody test).
If those in statutory occupational health scheme (who has worked for less than 4 months) are on sick leave for more than 3 days and go to Terveystalo to obtain a medical certificate, the doctor can refer the employee for a Covid-19 test on a needs basis.

Please always remember to cancel your appointment with Terveystalo in accordance with the cancellation policy (at least 24 hours in advance). An invoice will be sent to the employee for any uncancelled or incorrectly canceled appointment.

Please note that there are also long queues at Terveystalo! Please apply for a Covid-19 test at the public side or at Terveystalo, depending on where you can get an appointment faster.

The government's guidelines on corona testing are now changing frequently and we ask you to follow the guidelines of your local health authority. For example, the City of Helsinki's new policy states that a test is not always necessary in cases of exposure or mild coronavirus. So even if you are eligible for a test at Terveystalo, please use your needs assessment and follow the guidelines issued by the authorities. Please also follow the instructions from Terveystalo on where/how to book, for example, a doctor's appointment if you have possible symptoms.

The above policies and guidelines are valid for the time being but may change rapidly as situations change.

Exposure & illness: what to do if you experience symptoms that can be linked to Covid-19?

Symptoms of coronavirus disease can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, nausea, or diarrhea.

If you are at work, go home immediately. If you work remotely, stay at home.
Inform both your Academic Work Consultant Manager and your manager at your client company.
Guidance on exposure, quarantine, and sickness has changed rapidly with new viral variants. Follow the guidance issued by the authorities and health professionals.
Most respiratory tract infections, including coronavirus, are mild and recover in 1-2 weeks with home care.

In accordance with our sick leave policy, consultants may take five (5) days of sick leave with their own notification, i.e. without a doctor's note (this exception is valid until the end of March).

Foreign travel

All unnecessary travel abroad should be avoided.
If an employee is subjected to forced quarantine or voluntary quarantine due to leisure time travel and is unable to work remotely due to, for example, the nature of the work, the employer has no obligation to pay salary.
Please always check the current travel instructions, the destination country or the airline may require a negative corona test in addition to the vaccinations. For the most up-to-date information on travel restrictions and related quarantine policies, see Foreign Ministry's travel instructions. Please note that the lists are constantly updated, and it is your responsibility to follow the up-to-date instructions.

Koronavilkku-app

We highly recommend that you download and start using Koronavilkku-app which is published by the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). It helps you find out whether you may have been exposed to coronavirus. In addition, some municipalities collect data on their website about possible exposures in public spaces.

Download Koronavilkku

Contact information

If you have any questions about these arrangements and exceptional situations, please contact your Academic Work Consultant Manager and/or your immediate supervisor.

We urge all our consultants to follow the guidelines provided by the Finnish Government and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

In addition to the guidelines above, please keep yourself updated on client company policies and practices.

You will continue to find our up-to-date guidance about coronavirus on this specific page.

Best wishes,

We at Academic Work