Snowhotel Family is the first tourism company in Lapland to start using the Frendie WORK app developed by Frendie.
– We want to be the best workplace in Lapland tourism. Our employees are our most important asset, and their well-being is at the core of our business. Frendie WORK is a concrete tool to enhance well-being, says Snowhotel Family owner Heidi Haavikko.
The app provides seasonal workers with an easy way to connect with colleagues and find companions during their free time in the busy season.– Many spend Christmas away from home, and loneliness can be heightened. By creating an event in Frendie, you can find company or even an invitation to a local Christmas celebration, says HR Manager Suvi Ristiluoma.
App designed to support community and social well-being
Frendie WORK is designed to support community and social well-being for tourism workers. With the app, employees can get to know each other, share experiences, and find peer support.
– Developing social responsibility in Lapland’s tourism industry came up in discussions a couple of years ago when we noticed the needs of seasonal workers were being overlooked. The first steps were listening and building understanding – we organized workshops, surveys, and meetings with employees and tourism companies. It became clear that employee well-being and a sense of inclusion needed concrete solutions. From these phases, the idea for the Frendie pilot in collaboration with Snowhotel Family was born, says Arla Joensuu, founder of Frendie.
The Frendie WORK app will be available for all tourism operators in Lapland starting January 2025, giving all tourism companies in the region the opportunity to build a responsible and community-oriented work environment.
– The collaboration with Snowhotel is an example of how technology can strengthen seasonal workers’ sense of community and well-being – and make the tourism industry more responsible. Through the app, employees arriving from afar or from different countries can find colleagues from their home country. This helps reduce homesickness and build important peer support networks, improving well-being for individuals and the entire work community, Joensuu summarizes.
For more information:
Arla Joensuu
Founder
Frendie
0456567065
arla@frendie.fi
Marja Mäenpää
Marketing Director
Snowhotel Family
040 521 5316
marja@snowhotel.fi
Snowhotel Family
Founded in 2008 by Heidi and Ville Haavikko, Snowhotel Family offers unique bucket list experiences with snow and ice at three locations: Arctic Snowhotel & Glass Igloos in Lehtojärvi, Rovaniemi; the Snowman World winter theme park; and the Santamus experience restaurant at the Arctic Circle. We aim to be the best employer in Lapland tourism and the most reliable and interesting partner for tour operators and other tourism stakeholders. The company employs 200 workers during the winter season.
Frendie
Frendie is a Finnish social enterprise whose mission is to prevent loneliness and strengthen social well-being. The Frendie mobile app connects people, supports community, and provides easy solutions for creating connections both in everyday life and in workplaces. Frendie PRO is designed to meet EU directives on responsibility in workplaces, educational institutions, and municipalities. Our service offers an easy and enjoyable way to prevent loneliness, increase workplace well-being, and promote sustainable development.