Nordic city takes remote work to the woods to boost worker well-being by spending time in nature
Finland has long been a pioneer in offering flexible work-life options and employers who appreciate employee well-being, even before the pandemic. Now Lahti, the European Green Capital 2021, has set up remote workstations in the city’s nature sites free for everyone to use. The city also encourages other actors to set up workstations and therefore shares the drawings for open use.
Workers are now longing for hybrid solutions and increasingly value their own freedom to determine the place and time for work. Many have also found themselves to nature more often in between meetings and have awakened to the importance of nearby nature. That is why Lahti, the European Green Capital 2021, has built remote workstations in nature to remind us of both the diversity of working life and the calming effect of nature.
"In the midst of remote working, many have found that nature has positive effects on mood.”
"In the midst of remote working, many have found that nature has positive effects on mood.”Mira Keitaanranta, Human Resources Director, City Lahti, noted, “The way we work will never be the same, and we wanted to acknowledge this by setting up remote workstations. Lahti is a city where you can conveniently combine remote work and nature. In the midst of remote working, many have found that nature has positive effects on mood.” The new Viita workstations are specifically designed to serve the needs of remote workers: they include a telephone, cup holder, an area for a laptop, a place for pens and space to hang a bag or purse.
Spending time in nature boosts well-being
The global pandemic and the shift to remote work has made work communities consider the importance of well-being at work from a new perspective. Spending time in nature has many benefits on our overall well-being, as it can at best improve an employee’s mood and reduce stress.
Saara Piispanen, Head of Communications, Lahti, said, “Managing work-life balance has become increasingly important, and employers are constantly finding new ways to support the well-being of their employees. We wanted to make our contribution and sincerely encourage employers and other actors to also set up remote working spaces. Maybe that can be done using the design of the Viita workstation.” Viita workstations will be in use for the first time this autumn as a part of the Green Capital Year. The drawings will be free for everyone to use and available on Lahti’s European Green Capital website. The workstations have been made in collaboration by a Finnish design company, Upwood; creative agency, TBWA Helsinki; and a team of students from the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts—who have all been involved in the process.
Build your own DIY workstation for the woods
Paul Arkwright
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