Work-life balance is taken seriously at Frends, which supports organizations in several countries with more transparent and efficient integration development. To balance its strong growth, Frends actively invests in the well-being of its employees by focusing on building a strong atmosphere and team spirit where everyone is respected and taken care of.

“It is important that our employees feel that they belong and are committed to our work community. In our culture, different people in different life situations are valued and taken into account. We offer, for example, flexibility and versatile activities, which support well-being and a sense of belonging,” says Elina Salo, Head of Talent Acquisition at Frends.

We assess the satisfaction and desires of Frendszies in our annual employee survey. According to our latest survey, Frendszies expressed high satisfaction, for example, in the following areas, with a total score of 3,7 out of 4 on average: "Different kinds of life situations are taken into account well in Frends," and "I feel that, if it's needed, my employer is flexible regarding working hours, practices, and processes."

Supporting different lifestyles and personal goals

Frends values employees’ lifestyles and personal goals related to family, hobbies, or academic growth. For example, Key Account Manager Stefan Sirkiä competes in road cycling (Master1) and gets full support from his employer. 

“I work out 700 hours per year. This might not sound like much for a professional athlete, but for an amateur with a family and a demanding job, it’s a lot. I am grateful for an employer that sponsors my racing clothes, allows me to do training camps in Mallorca and participate in, sometimes quite long, competitions,” says Sirkiä. 

Remote and hybrid work or part-time work are not just terms for recruitment marketing but everyday life for many people working at Frends. For example, Service Manager Aino Tarhala, is hardcore testing the Finnish technology company’s remote work culture by working from Mexico. Furthermore, Ari Kankainen, Senior Integration Developer, works remotely from a small town, Mikkeli, and has only visited the Espoo headquarters a few times.

Sports – mountain biking, floorball, padel, running, and golf

Frends organizes activities and perks designed for their people. For example, Frends in Finland has a weekly booking for padel and floorball. In Poland, Frendszies have recently enjoyed Go-Kart Racing, IT Olympics, and kayaking. Frendszies have also been mountain biking, downhill skiing, trail-running, and running together in different events. 

Believe it or not, there has even been a voluntary group for the 12-minute Cooper Test. And let’s not forget about yearly golf tournaments that allow the golf loving Frendszies to see who’s who. In the latest golf tournament in 2023, it was time for champagne as one of Frendszies made history and hit a hole-in-one.

Fun activities from karaoke to baking, sauna evenings, and grilling parties

There’s no denying the fact that Frendszies love sports, but there are no limits on how to have fun together. Sauna evenings, cake baking, wine and beer tastings, karaoke, cinema, and theater are just a few of the activities that Frendszies have participated in throughout the years.

In addition, teams can arrange their fun nights and choose any activity they desire. Frendszies have, for example, been to shooting Ranges, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, grilling parties at the office garden, cocktail schools, horse riding, and bowling. 

A few Frendszies have even found themselves a band and been able to do gigs in After Work Events – and even more publicly in a local pub and events.

“Our low level of hierarchy is obvious in the events and activities. Everyone has fun together, no matter what the title or role is. We have a culture of trust where we cheer each other. For example, Karaoke is a favorite activity for many of us in Finland especially. First, we open our voices together, and then everyone has a chance to shine,” says Judith Sibelius, People and Culture Specialist at Frends. 

Wellness, relaxation, and great parties

Stress is no stranger to someone working in a fast-growing IT company and can build up in time. Hence, Frends pays close attention to good management and perks that help support both mental and physical recovery. 

The office is packed with healthy snacks, such as smoothies and fruits, and once a month, Frendszies gather for a delicious breakfast at the office. Frends has provided body composition measurements to support healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, a massage therapist visits Frendszies in bigger offices every month.

Testing new things is common in the company and wishes will be heard. For example, the Neurosonic recliner at the office has helped nerve pathways in an alert state to calm down and allow recovery. In addition, compression boots for recovery increase digestion and relieve muscle tension. For those needing a break, N.A.P. Neuron Activation Pod has provided the ultimate relaxation or a quiet space for work. 

“We’ve got a lot of positive feedback on the healthy snacks at the office that help to maintain your energy throughout the day. But of course, we like to enjoy ourselves and let loose, as well. In Poland, a yearly Fat Thursday event involves doughnuts, pizza, and anything people crave,” grins Sibelius. 

Frendszies enjoy their work hours and free time together, which is why after-work and team events are popular. The other main parties are the pre-Christmas party and the summer party. Often, the events have a specific theme, for example, a game night, a band night, or a popular costume party with different themes, where you can vote for the best costume. 

“The best thing about my job and organizing these events is hearing the laughter. The Frendszies enjoy spending time together and get excited about the themes, which anyone can suggest,” says Sibelius.

Children-approved activities

Frends is known for its family-friendly culture, shown in its activities. Frends arranges family events with magicians and a glitter artist, Halloween costume after works, and Christmas porridge and grilling parties, for example. A few years back, 100 families attended an active family day in Vihti activity PuuhaPark. 

In addition, Frends in Finland arranges daycare at the office when schools and kindergarden are closed. It’s a great opportunity for Frendszies whose kids are on holidays, but the last-minute work should be done without disruption. Jarkko Koivunen, Senior Integration Developer, drove all the way from Kokkola, Finland, to the Espoo office to utilize this summer daycare service. 

“I appreciate how well Frends supports families and work-life balance. We had a chance to spend quality time with my daughter in the Helsinki area, and I could focus on work while childcare professionals took care of her,” says Koivunen. 

Interested in becoming a Frendszie, or do you have suggestions for other work-life balance actions? Check out our open positions and contact us!