The Transport Workers’ Union (AKT) was sentenced to pay a 20,000 euro corporate fine while AKT and its former director Timo Räty were ordered to pay an additional 12,000 euros to the main plaintiff in the case, former AKT Communications Director Hilkka Ahde, to compensate for the mental duress and temporary disability she experienced.
Räty was sentenced to 80 days' worth of fines for assault and occupational safety offenses and was ordered to pay a fine of 2,080 euros. Other indicted AKT employees included former board members Veijo Ruonala and Heikki Harakka. They were both ordered to pay 30-day fines for failing to report their boss's behaviour.
AKT ordered to pay a 20,000 euro corporate fine
The convicted were also ordered to pay Ahde’s full legal costs in the case, totalling 30,891 euros.
AKT’s sentence was exceptional in that the prosecutor demanded that the union pay at least 80,000 euros in corporate fines, stating that the organisation did not demonstrate sufficient care or caution to prevent the workplace offense. After the 20,000 euro decision, the prosecutor even mentioned considering bringing the case to the Court of Appeals to request that the fine be raised. Räty’s lawyer Heikki Lampela did not indicate whether his client would appeal the decision.
Ahde not surprised by the verdict
Ahde was not surprised by the sentence, because she felt the evidence in the case was so clear. She said the trial was a terribly sad process for her.
“It has robbed me of my ability to work, my health, and even my self-esteem and professional pride. On top of it all, the process ended very badly, as the opposition took to indecent methods,” says Ahde.
She compared the trial to running in a marathon, saying: “I hope that this is the finish line and not just a signpost.”
Ahde said the compensation is not a primary issue and that the 40,000 euro amount was determined by her lawyer. She feels that the convictions of Ruonala and Harakka shows that even persons in nominated positions should be familiar with the duties and the responsibilities that go along with their post.
“Hopefully more attention will be paid to this issue on the organisational level and in the future elected officials will be better prepared to recognise their own responsibilities.”
Ahde feels that bullying is the cancer of the Finnish workplace and a policy of zero tolerance for such behaviour should be adopted across the board.
Trial sired a defamation investigation
The trial also resulted in a new criminal investigation, as the police now also suspect Räty of aggravated defamation. The investigation began after Räty made a statement at the trial saying that one of the reasons his relationship with Ahde began to cool was because she suggested they embark on an affair. The investigation into the new charges is ongoing.