The Cold Hand of Unemployment — a story about human dignity in the face of bureaucracy
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Finnish Researcher Sari Näre recently raised an important point: employment services often forget about people’s feelings. Rules and processes guide actions in a way that often discourages rather than encourages.
I have experienced the misery of unemployment firsthand, and that is why I want to open up the topic more broadly — both from a personal perspective and through the structures and proposals for change of the system.
Human value and feelings in the midst of processes
Unemployment is not just an economic state, it is an existential crisis. People lose their rhythm, professional identity and dignity. When the system encounters a person as just a number or during a period of unemployment, it easily forgets the importance of psychological support: encouragement, listening and individual guidance would often be more effective than punishments and bureaucratic prevention.
Choosing a career and crushing expectations
I experienced that at the age of 15, when my dream of becoming a fashion designer was laughed at and directed “you poor girl, just become a nurse.” It wasn't just a one-sentence insult: it shattered the faith of a young artist's soul and told them that different paths are valued differently. Such encounters teach young people that certain dreams are not realistic; especially in creative work, this can cut short the start of a career. Career guidance needs sensitivity to recognize different talents and alternative paths, not just a standardized recommendation.
The harshness of unemployment bureaucracy
You are born an artist. I followed the calling of my soul: I headed to England, studied at the world's top school, and graduated with the best grades. When I returned to Finland, I eagerly awaited opportunities — but I met a wall. At the employment agency, I was classified as unskilled because my certificate was in English. Translate the certificate, maybe you'll fit in — was the message. The inflexibility spoke of the system's inability to recognize skills that don't fit the mold. Such mechanisms reveal the inflexibility of bureaucracy. Furthermore, trying to find employment on your own — such as building a portfolio and freelancing — could be interpreted negatively and even punished with financial penalties. When the system prohibits encouraging activities, it prevents people from taking responsibility for their own livelihood.
Gender effects and work life experiences
My career started out promisingly, but the workplace culture revealed another side: talent could only be seen as a beautiful addition, and a woman's role was often subordinate. Sexual harassment, being treated as an entertainer or a manager's "concubine" leave deep scars — especially in the early stages of a career. This is not just an isolated incident: it is a structural inequality that has consequences for women's career development and self-esteem.
Design Entrepreneurship
I decided to become a design entrepreneur so that I could be in peace and fulfill myself as an artist. However, becoming an entrepreneur did not save me from bullying; it only transformed it into a societal #metoo belittling and invalidation related to gender and industry.
After seeing my work, a professor specializing in Finnish Design at the University of Montana announced that I would create the next Marimekko in Finland. How did that turn out? I will tell you about that in my next blog.
Entrepreneurship Challenges: Will vs. System
When I became a design entrepreneur, I encountered a new set of obstacles: support systems, export projects and consultants did not always work in the entrepreneurs’ favor. In my experience, many projects are poorly designed — some even benefit from consultants rather than the entrepreneur. Applying for support is bureaucratic, and small micro-enterprises are often left out of the system, even though they could grow with a small but targeted funding.
Multi-level stories: individual, community and policy
The stories of unemployment and employment are not linear. They are intertwined with individual experiences, employer practices, public service operating models and broader economic policy choices. It is wrong to assume that one model fits all. Creative industries and women-owned small businesses in particular need tailored support: mentoring, networks, seed capital and concrete help with exports.
What could be done better? Concrete suggestions
Human encounter: employment services should train staff to recognize the importance of emotions and provide resources for encouraging, individual guidance. Flexible support models: the criteria for granting support should be modified so that foreign qualifications, freelance work and self-employment do not fall through the cracks in the system.
Start-up capital for small businesses: small-scale growth kicks (e.g. €10,000) aimed at micro-enterprises should be available quickly and with little bureaucracy.
Reform of export support: the conditions of trade fair and export support should be changed so that individual invited brands also have the opportunity to stand out.
Gender perspective: funding and education policies should take into account the specific challenges of gender and target support to female-led sectors.
Mentors and application assistance: writing grant applications and project proposals should be made more realistic by offering low-cost or free expert assistance to small entrepreneurs.
Final words: humanity and structural change
My stories have included pain, disappointment and also efforts that have borne fruit. Yet experience teaches us that a system that does not recognize human feelings produces wasted energy as well as lost potential. The purpose of employment services is not to punish but to lift people back into working life — and that requires humanity, flexibility and the political will to change practices.
Finally: my story is a warning and a hope. It tells us what unreasonable rules and cold treatment do to human dignity. But it also tells us how a person can rise: by doing things themselves, by trying and by believing in their own talent. The system must change so that the dreams of the next generation are not broken in the school corridors or at the doors of offices.
Comments