wfn.org | Finnish pastors weary from work

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

None the less, a significant level of job satisfaction

GENEVA, 14 September 1998 (lwi) - Nearly one pastor out of five in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has been on sick-leave owing to
fatigue, according to a survey of the Finnish Church Research Institute.
One pastor in ten feels exhausted every week. The main reason is the amount
of work: 36 % of the pastors said they feel they work too much each week,
and 75% said they feel this at least once a month.

All 1,195 respondents of the survey were members of the clergy union, and
professionally active. As many as 17 % reported having been on sick-leave
because of fatigue or "burn-out". However, the majority of sick-leaves had
lasted less than three months.

These sick-leaves have become more frequent since 1994. "During the last
few years the church has been forced to cut down its personnel, even though
the work load has gone up because of the state-wide recession. This
development is reflected in the increase of pressure and stress at work,"
says researcher Kari Salonen, who conducted the survey.

Moreover, the clergy cannot seem to find time for days off. According to
labor agreements, pastors are allowed two days off per week. However, most
weeks, one pastor in five finds time for only one day off. Nearly half work
at least one extra day per month. "The nature of clergy work makes it
never-ending," Salonen admits.

Those who are most fatigued felt that their colleagues do not understand or
accept the limiting of working time. Some were also reluctant to increase
the work load of colleagues, or unable to say no.

The tiredness and depression are reflected in the growing need for
rehabilitation, even therapy. The Executive Secretary for Rehabilitation in
the Church Council, Kaarina Mujunen, says improvements in parish work are
needed.

In spite of the fatigue, over 86 % of the pastors stated that they are very
or rather satisfied with their work overall.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/