Browsing by Subject "Palvelujärjestelmä"

Aims. This study aimed to find out how the factors limiting the agency of unemployed persons appear in the public service system and its threshold. In the study, the agency is approached through social capital and trust, participation and loneliness, and different forms of power, such as different ways of speaking. Unemployment is an issue in our society for which solutions have been looked for in recent years, for example, from the activation model and now, in turn, the local government pilots on employment. An unemployed person has been considered as a passive agent for whom a stiff public service system does not create a sufficient framework for success in employment. In this study, professionals working with unemployed persons have been interviewed for their views on the agency of unemployed persons in the public service system. Methods. The research material consisted of four semi-structured interviews with professionals from different backgrounds working in the public service system. At the time of the interview, the interviewees worked in different positions and organizations compared to each other. The qualitative analysis of the material was carried out material-based content analysis, in which the aim was to find equal meanings for the factors limiting agency. Results and conclusions. The social dimension in enabling the agency of an unemployed person was central, even a prerequisite. Therefore, with various forms of support, an individual would have access to resources, with the support of which s/he would have the opportunity to strive towards working life as an active agent. In the various factors limiting agency in the public service system, there appeared both not confronting the unemployed persons and consequently lack of appreciation. The results of the study emphasize the unemployed persons’ need to experience appreciation, which increases their own willingness to act and use the support available. When planning different employment services, the already characteristic stage of life of the unemployed person should be taken into account and offer the opportunity for service models that improve individual confrontation.