The rules of the house

These rules are intended as a general guideline for researchers working in Finnish research organisations. There are issues concerning work safety, ethics etc. that are specific to the discipline, work space or organisation and therefore new staff members should always make sure they are well informed about their research organisation's practices. Most often this information can be found on the intranet of the organisation. 
 

Research ethics

All research performed in universities and other research institutions in Finland shall follow good scientific practice and common ethical guidelines. Scientific disciplines have their own sets of ethical norms, which provide more detailed instructions concerning, for instance, the relationship between the researcher and the object of research. It is important not only for science, but also for researchers' legal protection to identify questions of actual research ethics and thereby distinguish them from other problems in the science communities. 
 
Universities, research institutes, polytechnics and other organisations carrying out research must make sure that the education they provide familiarizes students with good scientific practice and research ethics. Every unit providing researcher training is obliged to include in its researcher training programme questions relating to good scientific practice specific to its disciplines.
 
The point of departure in the Finnish guidelinesis that the responsibility for maintaining good scientific practice and handling allegations of misconduct in science rests first and foremost with the organisations that carry out research in Finland.
 
The bodies dealing with research ethics in Finland are mainly situated in the sectors of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Ministry of Education has appointed the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has appointed the Cooperation Group for Laboratory Animal Sciences (KYTÖ). Attached to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health are the National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE) and its Sub-Committee on Medical Research Ethics (TUKIJA), the National Advisory Board for Biotechnology (BTNK) and the Board for Gene Technology (GTLK).
 
Finnish guidelines for good scientific practice (PDF file)
Ethical Evaluation of Research in Finland (PDF file)
Research ethics bodies in Finland
 
National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK)
Cooperation Group for Laboratory Animal Sciences (KYTÖ)
National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE)
Sub-Committee on Medical Research Ethics (TUKIJA)
National Advisory Board for Biotechnology (BTNK)
Board for Gene Technology (GTLK)

 
Safe working environment

The purpose of occupational safety is to improve working conditions to maintain and secure employees' ability to work and to prevent work related accidents, illnesses and other work related physical and mental health threats. An occupational accident is an accident that causes a bodily injury or an illness and that happens at work or in an environment caused by work/a work related environment. An accident on the way to the work place is also by definition an occupational accident.
 
Finnish research organisations do not accept any inappropriate behaviour, bullying or harassment. Any discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, sexual preference, disability or other related factors, is strongly condemned and sanctioned.
 
Most work places in Finland have an occupational safety delegate, who you can contact about occupational safety issues.
 
Centre for Occupational Safety

 
 
Ways of solving problems in the work community
 
Sometimes there may be collective or individual problem situations at work. Individual problems are for example substance addictions, mental health problems and other crises in life. Weakened work performance can also cause problems, which in some cases can have implications for other members of the work community.
 
Problem situations must be taken up with the manager. If the manager is part of the problem situation, one must contact the manager's superior or a person as high in hierarchy as necessary.
 
Finnish labour unions offer their members advice on various work related issues. In problem situations, a union member can ask for advice from their own trade union.
 
 
Links to trade union confederations:
 
Confederation for Academic Professionals (AKAVA)
Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK)
Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) 

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Shared computers, network and data protection

Every user of a research organisation's IT facilities must take care of issues concerning the common data protection and safety according to the policy of the research organisation in question. Both the administrator of the network and the user of the IT facilities have rights and duties. These rights and duties can most often be found on the research organisation's intranet pages. Please make sure you familiarize yourself with them.