Kela Director General Lasse Lehtonen at Kela’s media briefing in Helsinki. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Conscript dies during Finnish Army exercise in Vuosanka
Kela Director General Lasse Lehtonen is on sick leave this week, but is also reported to be on a work trip to Brussels, raising questions about his current status and the leadership of Finland’s social insurance agency.
Kela’s board chair Vertti Kiukas confirmed to both Helsingin Sanomat and Yle that Lehtonen is officially on sick leave. He added that Lehtonen is “as far as I understand, both on sick leave and on a work trip,” but declined to explain how this was possible.
The agency’s communications department told multiple media outlets that Lehtonen is off work “for a few days,” without confirming the reason or exact timing of his absence. He is currently being substituted by Director Kari-Pekka Mäki-Lohiluoma.
The situation was first reported by Iltalehti, which has also published details of missed meetings, unexplained delays, and confusion around Lehtonen’s availability in recent weeks. According to the paper, Lehtonen failed to attend Kela’s management team meeting on Monday and skipped other official duties, including a planned appearance at the Finnish Dental Association’s council session last Friday.
Kela’s board has commissioned an independent review of the agency’s leadership. The review is expected to be completed in mid-December.
Questions about Lehtonen’s leadership have mounted in recent months following controversial comments about remote work and low internal satisfaction scores. A staff survey by Yle in November found only 23 percent of respondents considered Kela management decisions clear and well-justified.
In late November, Kela’s oversight council held a meeting with Lehtonen to address internal concerns. After the meeting, Kiukas stated that Lehtonen still enjoys the board’s confidence.
Lehtonen has stayed out of the public eye since the controversy began and has removed his profile from several social media platforms.
HT
- Next Article Conscript dies during Finnish Army exercise in Vuosanka
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
