The Institution of the Year is a comprehensive workplace survey designed to strengthen the work environment in public services. It evaluates both what is working well and the challenges that need to be addressed, providing valuable insights for improvements and development.

Positive Progress in All Areas

It is particularly gratifying that the results for 2025 show positive progress in all measured areas. These areas include management, workplace culture, salary conditions, working conditions, work flexibility, institutional reputation, autonomy in work, job satisfaction and pride, and equality. The most significant improvements are seen in management on the one hand, and job satisfaction and pride on the other. However, salary conditions and working conditions remain the lowest-rated areas.

When comparing SAk’s performance with other institutions in the same category, two main weaknesses stand out: salary conditions and work flexibility.

We Strive to Do Even Better – and We Know That Good Things Take Time

At SAk, we are committed to continuous improvement in all areas. At times, progress may seem slow, and the challenges endless, but these results remind us of the importance of pausing to celebrate our achievements. We should take pride in the efforts that have led to SAk’s best results since the survey began. However, we must also acknowledge that we are still ranked 36th out of 46 institutions with 90 or more employees, and we strive to do even better.

The most important factor behind this progress is our staff. In the demanding environment of the healthcare system, our employees tackle diverse and often complex challenges with professionalism and dedication.

Despite the heavy workload, many positive steps have been taken over the past year to advance SAk. We have attracted new employees, implemented a Welfare Hub, and improved targeted communication with staff and management. All these efforts contribute to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication and contributions. The results of this survey are a testament to your hard work and commitment. We will continue forward—together—with the goal of making even better use of such survey results to improve SAk as a workplace.

Hildigunnur Svavarsdóttir, CEO of SAk