According to Yle sources, the ministry’s operating methods have changed fundamentally since Mari Rantanen (Finns), a former police officer, took over as Interior Minister three years ago.
In December, Yle reported on oppressive behaviour and bullying in several sections of the Interior Ministry, including the police department.
It has now become clear that there are problems elsewhere in the ministry as well.
On 22 May, the Supervisory Agency conducted an occupational safety inspection of the ministry’s Administration and Development Department.
Annika Nyman-Koskinen, a Supervisory Agency occupational safety inspector, confirmed to Yle that she carried out an inspection of the administration and development department’s human resources and legal unit, which employs approximately 10 people.
Nyman-Koskinen declined to comment further on the matter, citing the ongoing process. The Finnish Supervisory Agency is a new ‘mega-agency’ that started up at the beginning of this year.
A long-standing atmosphere of fear
According to Yle sources, the Supervisory Agency conducted the inspection based on a request by occupational safety and health representatives of ministry staff.
This was based on irregularities experienced by several current and former ministry employees. They describe a long-standing atmosphere of fear, workplace bullying and other problems, Yle has learned.
Although the inspection focused on a relatively small unit, it has a broader impact.
For example, the human resources department handles employment matters for the entire ministry, including recruitment and pay – and monitoring the general work atmosphere in the workplace.
“We take responsibility as an employer”
The occupational safety and health authority will prepare an inspection report based on its findings. It will also determine any steps that the employer may have to take.
According to Permanent Secretary Matti Sarasmaa, the ministry takes the situation seriously.
“We want the Ministry of the Interior to be a good and safe workplace for everyone,” he told Yle.
The results of the inspection will be completed in late June. After that, the ministry will assess any measures that the inspection requires.
“We take responsibility as an employer for any measures we may take and inform our personnel about them,” said Sarasmaa, the ministry’s most senior official.
Sarasmaa added that the occupational health and safety inspection carried out in May regarding the civil service of the personnel and legal unit is not related to the political leadership of the ministry, i.e. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns).
Yle reported in December that the ministry’s operating methods have changed fundamentally since Rantanen, a former police officer and paramedic, was sworn in three years ago.
In 2024, she took about two months off to care for a child with a serious illness. During that period, she was temporarily replaced by Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne (Finns) – a period which ministry staffers described as “a moment to catch their breath”.
Some employees told Yle late last year that they believed that the minister’s own police background led to promotion of police interests within the ministry.
Civil servants alleged that Rantanen and her staff often interfered with their work and did not trust them or value their work. The minister was said to have reprimanded officials who made comments that deviated from her policy lines.
Yle has interviewed officials from nearly all departments at the ministry. They spoke anonymously, as they could face consequences for speaking publicly about the matter.
