# [Employee representatives](https://proliitto.fi/index%2ephp/index%252ephp/en/tyoelaman-tietopankki/luottamushenkilot) Personnel representatives support you in all matters related to your work. The shop steward is an expert who looks after your interests at the workplace. The occupational safety officer monitors the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. ## How can I find my representatives? Your shop steward will give you answers to questions about your workplace. Employee representatives will also help you in situations such as inappropriate treatment. If you are unsure about who your shop steward or occupational safety officer is, contact us or your local association. [See contact details for your own representatives by signing in](https://proplus.fi/yhteyshenkiloni) ## Employee representatives support you at your workplace Shop steward improves working conditions and defends your rights A shop steward represents a company’s employees organised under Trade Union Pro and monitors compliance with legislation and agreements. The shop steward assists the members of their union with problematic situations and participates in developing the working community. They act as the primary negotiation representative chosen by employees. A shop steward’s term of office is mainly three years. The occupational safety officer monitors health and safety at work The occupational safety officer is an expert who supervises the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act at the workplace as the employees’ representative. The occupational safety officer is familiar with occupational safety issues related to their workplace and participates in occupational safety inspections at the workplace. Where can I find my representatives? Your shop steward will give you answers to questions about your workplace. Employee representatives will also help you in situations such as inappropriate treatment. If you are unsure who your representatives are, contact your local association or us. ### More information [Contact us](/index%2ephp/en/contact-us) Employee representatives are elected by the employees A shop steward is usually elected for a term of three years. The term of office begins at the start of the calendar year following the election. All Pro members in the workplace have the right to stand as a shop steward candidate. In occupational safety and health elections, employees elect their representatives for the workplace’s occupational safety and health cooperation. The occupational safety and health elections are held every two years from 1 November to 31 December, unless otherwise agreed. In occupational safety and health elections, all employees can vote and stand as candidates. ### More information [Health and safety representative elections ](/index%2ephp/en/all-things-work/health-and-safety-elections-how-to-elect-a-health-and-safety-representative) [Shop steward elections](/index%2ephp/en/all-things-work/shop-steward-elections-how-to-elect-a-shop-steward) Should we elect a shop steward or a trustee? The shop steward is the employees' primary representative in relation to the shop steward. The choice of a trustee comes into question when there is no collective agreement in the field. The election of a trustee, access to information, exemption from work, compensation for loss of earnings and protection against dismissal are determined by the Employment Contracts Act. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/node/15864) [Read more about shop stewards](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2001/20010055#L13P3) [Dismissal protection of trustees](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2001/20010055#L7P10) [Trustees and the transfer of business](https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2001/20010055#L13P4) ## New trustees, let us know you have been elected! Are you a new shop steward or Pro representative? Remember to inform not only the union members at your workplace and your employer, but also us at the union. You can use the shop steward form to notify us of your appointment as a pro-manager. Once the information in the membership register is correct, you will receive a steward mailing from the union. You can also register for an induction group in the Membership Information section of[ Proplus](http://proplus.fi/). You can get there by clicking on My details in Proplus, then go to Member Information. [Notify the union of your selection](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/steward/) [Notification of a health and safety representative](https://lomakkeet.proliitto.fi/delegate/) ## EWC - European cooperation EWC is a legal opportunity for company employees to be informed and consulted. An EWC must be set up when a company has at least 1,000 employees in the EU and 150 employees in two EU/EEA countries. The EWC represents the group's European employees. The EWC representative is elected in accordance with the practice and laws of his/her home country and represents the employees of his/her home country. If there is only one seat per country, the representative is elected by a joint decision or election of all staff groups. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/pron-kansainvalinen-toiminta) ## AI at work Using AI in working life: a toolkit for employee representatives to support responsible change. Here’s how you can ensure the ethical, transparent and fair use of AI, as well as the protection of employees’ rights in your workplace. [Read more](/index%2ephp/en/all-things-work/ai-at-work) ## Shop stewards develop the workplace In the video, see chief shop steward Annamari Österberg's thoughts on the work of a shop steward today. ## Occupational safety and health officer is there to help and listen Occupational Health and Safety representative will help if something bothers you. In the video, Seija Gustafsson explains what the occupational health and safety commissioner does in the workplace. ## Shop steward elections - how to elect a shop steward The election of a shop steward is based on the collective agreement and is carried out by the members of Pro. Pro members have the right to stand for election as a shop steward. The recommended term of office is three years. After the election, the details of those elected must be reported to both the employer and Trade Union Pro. [Information about shop steward elections ](/index%2ephp/en/all-things-work/shop-steward-elections-how-to-elect-a-shop-steward) ## Health and safety elections Pro's health and safety representative is an expert in workplace safety who represents employees, experts and front-line workers in workplace health and safety activities. As the representative of the staff, the health and safety representative monitors the implementation of health and safety legislation at the workplace, keeps himself or herself informed about health and safety issues affecting his or her workplace and participates in joint health and safety activities at the workplace. [Information health and safety elections](/index%2ephp/en/all-things-work/health-and-safety-elections-how-to-elect-a-health-and-safety-representative)