Assessing working ability

Sometimes, you may need help assessing your working ability. There are a variety of services available that can provide you with the help you need. 

If you need help finding employment, please read the contents of ‘Support for your job search’. 

TE services’ experts and TE Offices’ working ability coordinators 

Your TE Office or local government pilot expert has the responsibility to direct you to services that are appropriate for your working ability and ability to function. 

TE Offices employ designated working ability coordinators that help employers employ people with partial working ability and support job seekers in matters related to working ability and finding employment. Working ability coordinators are there to support you in all stages of finding employment and staying employed. If you are a customer of a local government pilot, your home municipality will support you in matters related to your working ability and finding employment. Telephone services are also available. 

Health examinations and other health services for unemployed people 

We recommend getting a health examination to determine your state of health if you have not had one in a long time or you think your state of health may have changed. If you are unemployed, the TE Office or local government pilot is responsible for arranging an assessment of your working ability and ability to function. You will need a medical certificate to participate in services that are meant to support your working ability. 

Your state of health can be assessed 

• if you are unemployed, in a health examination for unemployed people organised by your local government,
• if you are employed, by an occupational health care provider, or 
• if you are a student, by a student health care provider.

One-Stop Guidance Centres 

If you are under 30, visiting a One-Stop Guidance Centre can help you get started with assessing your work ability. The One-Stop Guidance Centre will give you information and guidance based on your needs in matters related to, for example, your studies, finding employment and coping with everyday challenges. 

The Abilitator®

The Abilitator is a free self-assessment method of work ability and functioning for all people of working age. With the Abilitator quiz you can find out about your situation, strengths, and development needs.

If you are partially able to work, various services can help you find employment 

If a disability or illness is undermining your working ability or your working ability has degraded due to some other reason, there are various services that can help you find employment.  

Cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment (TYP) 

You may have the opportunity to use the cross-sectoral joint service promoting employment, known as TYP, if you are struggling to find employment due to difficulty coping, limited ability to function or otherwise reduced work ability. 

Rehabilitative work activities 

Rehabilitative work activities may be an appropriate solution if you have been unemployed for an extended period of time and are returning to working life, starting a career, or recovering from an illness or difficult life circumstances. Rehabilitative work activities are intended for people who are unable to participate in the services offered by TE services. 

Subsidy for arranging working conditions 

Finding or keeping a job may require changes at your workplace. You may also need help with certain tasks at work. 

Employers have the responsibility and often also the desire to make reasonable adjustments to duties and working conditions if it eliminates detriments to work caused by disabilities or illnesses. 

Employers can be granted a subsidy for arranging working conditions. To find out if an employer would be eligible to receive a subsidy for arranging working conditions if they hire you, talk to your TE Office or local government pilot expert. You can also raise the matter with an occupational health care professional if you are already employed and your current employer needs to arrange working conditions. It is a good idea to let your employer know if they are eligible for the subsidy. 

Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation may be useful if a disability or illness is making your studies, your work or coping with different stages in life difficult. 

Rehabilitation services are organised by Kela, public health care, occupational health care, municipal social services, disability organisations, traffic and accident insurance institutions, and authorised pension companies. Kela and traffic and accident insurance institutions also secure your livelihood for the period they spend organising or reimbursing comprehensive rehabilitation. 

Vocational rehabilitation can help you choose an appropriate profession, find employment, stay employed and return to employment, regardless of your illness. Traffic and accident insurance institutions, authorised pension companies, and Kela organise statutory vocational rehabilitation. To receive vocational rehabilitation, you need to meet the stipulated requirements. 

You can ask your doctor or Kela which organisations’ rehabilitation services you may be eligible for. Your TE Office or local government expert can also help you determine where you may be able to get rehabilitation. 

Certificate for job seekers with partial work ability   

As a TE services customer, you can request a certificate from your TE Office or local government pilot that proves that you have been registered as a job seeker with partial work ability in the TE services customer register. The purpose of the certificate is to make it easier for job seekers with partial working ability to find employment with major employers. Once you have received the certificate, deliver it to the employer. 

Support for maintaining the ability to work

An illness or injury may reduce your ability to work and function, but it does not necessarily mean that you are unable to work. Various support and services are available for maintaining your ability to work.