Shop steward
Passion to help others drives the young shop steward
Emma Haapasaari stresses, to all young people who are thinking about stepping in to influence, that politics is much more than middle-aged men in grey suits. Image: Päivi Karjalainen.
Emma Haapasaari, 27, represents nearly 600 Dressmann employees in some 80 stores across Finland. She is young to be an infuencer and a shop steward. However, Haapasaari doesn’t let prejudice toward her age slow her down.
”I have to say that when you give influencing an inch it will take a yard”, laughs Emma Haapasaari from Kokkola, the fresh chief shop steward of Dressmann, a chain of men’s clothing stores. In addition to this position of trust she is active in municipal politics. Emma’s drive to influence comes from her home; her family members have always been active in politics and politics has been discussed even over Christmas dinner.
Haapasaari thought for a long time before taking up the position.
”An employee in PAM’s Regional Office encouraged me to stand as a candidate in the shop steward elections. Well, then I thought I’ll give it a try.”
She was elected as deputy of the chief shop steward. When the chief shop steward took maternity leave in mid-October, it was Haapasaari’s turn. She admits that things progressed a bit too fast even though she had already acted as chief shop steward last summer during summer leaves.
She has encountered prejudice – more in municipal politics, though.
”As a young woman, I admit I sometimes have to struggle with credibility. As a young person, I’m very enthusiastic and motivated which doesn’t mean being naïve or stupid. But I also admit that the knowhow of older employees and influencers is worth more than gold.”
According to Haapasaari, her advantage as chief shop steward is that she knows the world which Dressmann’s mainly young shop assistants live in. She knows that many of them struggle with getting enough working hours and having enough money to live.
Haapasaari plans to visit the stores and meet the workers. Her motivation to stand as a candidate for shop steward’s role is her passion to help others and interest in people.
”My main task is to ensure that everybody feels good in the company. A well-being employee is of course an asset from the business profitability point of view as well.”
Haapasaari feels that she is well supported by PAM in her role.
”No matter whether I call the Regional Office or the Central Office, I always feel that I talk to somebody who wholeheartedly wants to help just me.”
