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Police don't suspect crime in Helsinki City workers' salary debacle

Problems with the City's payroll system started last spring, when a newly-installed system experienced several technical glitches.

Kyltti, jossa lukee Helsingin kaupungintalo joulukuussa 2020.
The police will not open an investigation into the salary payment problems which affected Helsinki employees last year (file photo of City Hall). Image: Silja Viitala / Yle
  • Yle News
  • STT

Police will not open a preliminary criminal investigation into last year's extended problems with salary payments of Helsinki City workers.

Police made the announcement on Thursday, following an initial probe of a possible violation of official duty.

Police said that disruptions in the salary payment system, or its implementation and repair, were not due to criminal negligence by any individual official.

Problems with the City's payroll system started last spring, when a newly-installed system experienced several technical glitches.

Hundreds of City employees reported being underpaid, overpaid or not paid at all during late spring and summer of 2022. In July, nursing union Tehy filed a criminal complaint with police over the non-payment of healthcare workers' wages.

Later, in the autumn, the City announced plans for a one-time, late payment compensation to affected employees.

The personnel database firm that rolled out the updated system, Sarastia, announced last week that its CEO had agreed with the company's board of directors to step down from his job.

Edited at 11:11 to add the departure of Sarastia's CEO.