Ethical principles

Ethical principles sit at the heart of responsible operations, a healthy work culture and wellbeing at work.

Adhering to the City of Helsinki’s ethical principles ensures that the city is a good organisation to work for and that our operations comply with the current acts, decrees, guidelines and standards, as they guide the activities of both the city’s employees and elected officials. They also help us react to different situations – no matter how difficult – by steering us towards the just response.

The City of Helsinki’s ethical principles were last updated in 2019 in line with a decision from the Helsinki City Board and are valid as such. 

 The City of Helsinki’s ethical principles: Helsingin kaupungin eettiset periaatteet 2019(Link leads to external service) (pdf, in Finnish)

The City of Helsinki practices good governance and management in all our operations.

Each city employees and elected official is familiar with the associated laws and the city rules and instructions that concern the city’s operations and their own specific duties. The city’s supervisors are responsible for the proper onboarding of new staff and doing their part to maintain the city organisation’s uninterrupted ability to perform its tasks. The city’s senior management and supervisors set an example on the job and swiftly address any shortcomings they might observe. 

The city’s ownership policy is vigilant and transparent. It seeks to link the different components of the Helsinki City Group into a cohesive entity that not only adheres to the city’s strategic management and operations, but also pursues effective implementation of the set goals.

Guidelines (in Finnish)

Hyvä hallinto- ja johtamistapa Helsingin kaupunkikonsernissa (”Good governance and management in the Helsinki City Group”) (PDF)
Johtamisen kulmakivet (Link to external service)(Link leads to external service)  (“Management cornerstones”) (PDF)
Konserniohje  (“Helsinki City Group instructions”) (PDF)
Helsingin kaupungin hallintosääntö  (“City of Helsinki administrative regulations”) (PDF)
Päätösten vaikutusten ennakkoarviointi (Link to external service) (Link leads to external service) (“Preliminary assessment of impact of decisions”, 2019) (PDF)


 

Sustainability and responsibility are fundamental parts of the city’s ethical operating culture. 

In all our operations, we emphasize sustainable development, uphold ecological values and fight climate change.

Guidelines and material

Helsinki City Strategy 2021–2025
Sustainable Helsinki website (Link to external service)(Link leads to external service)

The City of Helsinki promotes equality and non-discrimination in all its operations, in accordance with our statutory obligations. 

We make workplace diversity a priority and we consider people’s diversity and their varying needs and capabilities in the development of our work communities and services.

In our work communities and the implementation of our work tasks, we require that a professional and respectful attitude is shown towards all people, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. Each city employee has a duty to intervene in any form of discrimination or harassment that they might observe. 

Guideline

City of Helsinki equality and non-discrimination plan for services 2022–2025(Link leads to external service)

Training courses from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare 
Online course on anti-racism for professionals(Link leads to external service) (Link to external service) 

In Finnish, no subtitles
Yhdenvertaisen kunnan tekijät(Link leads to external service)  (“Characteristics of an equal municipality”) (Link to external service) 

The City of Helsinki’s commitment to promoting environmental and social responsibility has been laid out in the Helsinki City Strategy and its key action plans.

In line with our procurement strategy, we aim to be a pioneering contractor that promotes the realisation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by engaging in economically, socially and environmentally responsible procurement that is at the same time climate-smart and impactful. 

When procuring services, the City of Helsinki fulfils the statutory obligations set out in Finland’s Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability when Work is Contracted Out (1233/2006). Compliance with laws on workers’ and human rights is a particular consideration, in addition to the protecting people from labour exploitation.

Guidelines

Sustainable Helsinki: Responsible procurement and the circular economy(Link leads to external service) (Link to external service)
Helsinki City Construction Services Stara’s Responsibility webpage(Link leads to external service) (Link to external service)
Sustainable development and responsibility guidelines for organisers of events in Helsinki 
Ethical principles of the City of Helsinki for recruitment from abroad

Ministry of Employment and the Economy: Action plan against labour exploitation(Link leads to external service) (PDF)

Training course (in Finnish, no subtitles)
Julkisilla hankinnoilla kestävä tulevaisuus(Link leads to external service)  (Link to external service) (A joint project from Business Finland, eOppiva, Hansel, Keino, Motiva, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the Finnish Environment Institute and the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities)


 

The City of Helsinki does not allow personal gain from or abuse or criminal activity in the city’s operations. Tips on such activities are investigated and legal action is taken, if necessary. 

We work to combat the grey economy and require this same commitment from our contractual partners.

We promote transparency in all our operations and prevent corruption and bribery in our fiscal management.

Guidelines (in Finnish)

Harmaan talouden torjuntaohje (“City of Helsinki’s guide on combating the grey economy”) (Link to external service)(Link leads to external service)
Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities:  Ohje vieraanvaraisuudesta, eduista ja lahjoista (“Guide for hosting, perks and receiving gifts”) (Link to external service)(Link leads to external service)
Ministry of Justice:  Korruptiontorjunta kunnallishallinnossa : Askelmerkkejä hyvään hallintoon (Link leads to external service)  (“Combating Corruption in Local Government. Steps Towards Good Governance”) (Link to external service) (PDF)

(in English)

Ministry of Justice: Anti-corruption.fi website(Link leads to external service)  

The City of Helsinki manages the data of the city’s residents, our customers and clients and our stakeholders with care, in compliance with the relevant regulations concerning privacy. 
We protect our data systems well and manage the city’s own data securely.

Guidelines (in Finnish)

Helsingin kaupungin datan ja tekoälyn eettiset periaatteet (“City of Helsinki’s ethical principles for the use of data and AI”) (Link to external service)(Link leads to external service)

The aim of internal control and risk management is to ensure the legality and effectiveness of the Helsinki City Group’s operations. 

Internal control and risk management are part of the city’s administrative system and management tools for the leadership of the city and its subsidiaries. Their goal is to promote quality management, proactively prevent and manage risks, seize opportunities and strengths, and continuously develop and improve the effectiveness of operations. 

Senior officeholders and our subsidiaries’ managing directors ensure the effective implementation and reporting of internal control, risk management and contract management. Supervisors implement internal control and risk management in their own areas of responsibility, as well as monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures used. In addition, the city makes an anonymous whistleblower channel available internally for employees.

Guidelines (in Finnish)

Helsingin kaupunkikonsernin sisäisen valvonnan ja riskienhallinnan perusteet(Link leads to external service)   (“Basics of internal control and risk management in the Helsinki City Group”) (Link to external service) (PDF)

Sisäinen valvonta ja riskienhallinta Helsingin kaupunkikonsernissa  (“Internal control and risk management in the Helsinki City Group”) (PDF)