HR Manager Tarja Laine’s varied tasks have kept her work meaningful already for 30 years. She enjoys working with people and she balances her work life by spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Describe HKFoods briefly as an employer.
It’s quite difficult to sum up in just a few words, but let's try! HKFoods is a local operator that respects traditions but is innovative at the same time. We have moved forward in many different areas and evolved into a modern food company.
What is it that you do at HKFoods?
My role as HKFoods' HR Manager is to help our supervisors in all HR matters. I support them at the beginning of the employment lifecycle in recruitment, during the employment and then, of course, when the employment relationship comes to an end.
What is the best thing about your job?
One of the best things about my job is to get to work with people, I enjoy it greatly. I like the opportunity to pass on my knowledge. It’s also great to have a wide range of tasks, so every day is different. It makes the work enjoyable.
What does your job require?
My role requires planning and flexibility. You also need to be able to talk about difficult issues when they arise. I’m there for our superiors when they need HR’s support.
What makes a good colleague?
A good colleague is someone you can always ask for help and support. It’s good to know that there are people in the workplace who are close to you and who you can lean on when necessary. We have great colleagues here at HKFoods!
Why do you like it at HKFoods? And what makes you excited at work?
Definitely the variety of tasks I have had the opportunity to do during my career at HKFoods. I’ve always taken on new challenges when I have been offered them. Learning new things adds variety to your routine.
What are your working days like?
The contents of my working days are largely determined by the processes of the HR annual clock. I normally start my working day early in the morning by reading emails. It’s the quietest time of the day and a good way to prepare for the day ahead. Otherwise, most of my time is spent in meetings, which during the Covid-19 pandemic were held mainly on Teams. My days also involve a lot of working together with my team; we exchange ideas on different issues.
How is responsibility reflected in your work?
In my role, responsibility means that that everything we promise to do, we do. It’s important to know how to ask for help if you don't know what to do; help is always available. We support and help each other. Responsibility also means that tasks are carried out with trust and respect for everyone involved.
What’s your favourite food?
I basically eat everything, at least I try everything. But if I had to pick one food, it would probably be pepper steak with roasted vegetables.
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend my free time doing something meaningful. I enjoy reading and dancing, cooking is also close to my heart. While my everyday life is largely spent working, as it is for most people, in my free time I try to spend time with my family and grandchildren.
What is your career path at HKFoods like?
In short, it’s long and varied. I started at HKFoods at the Turku Frankfurter factory in December 1992. The position was temporary and the work continued part-time over the spring. I became a permanent employee in August 1993. I have had time and opportunity to take on many different tasks at HKScan and want thank all my superiors who have made this possible.
In the early 2000s, I moved into work community development and in particular into supporting supervisors. At the beginning of 2007, I moved to our Vantaa office and started working as a recruiter. Since then, my tasks, titles and responsibilities have diversified and grown to include various HR tasks.
