COUNTRY

Employment contractsin Sweden can be oral or written, but it is strongly recommended that all employment contracts be written. No specific form is required for a written contract, but employment contracts normally state, at a minimum:

• the employer’s and employee’s names and addresses,

• the date the employee will begin work,

• the workplace,

• the employee’s job title and duties,

• whether the contract is indefinite or for a fixed-term, and the contract’s term, if it is a fixed-term contract,

• the length of the probation period, if there is one (the maximum time allowed is six months),

• notice periods for terminating the contract,

• information about the employee’s salary and other components of their compensation,

• the employee’s annual leave allowance,

• normal working hours per day or per week, and

• information about any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

The standard work week in Sweden is 40 hours over five days. Overtime is allowed when there is an important business need. It is limited to 48 hours on average over four weeks, 50 hours in a calendar month and 200 hours per year. Overtime pay is set by collective bargaining agreement but is typically paid at 150% to 200% of the employee’s standard rate.

Employees are entitled to paid sick leave in Sweden. The employer pays 80% of the employee’s salary up to a maximum amount for the first 14 days of the employee's illness. After that, benefits are paid by social security. Payments generally are 75% to 80% of the employee’s standard rate of pay depending on how long the employee is on leave.

Female employees receive 14 weeks of maternity leave in Sweden. Seven weeks of maternity leave is taken before the due date, and the remaining leave is taken after the birth. The father or other parent is entitled to 10 days of paternity leave.

Sweden does not have required bonuses.

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave in Sweden. The leave is accumulated during a 12-month period of employment and taken during the next annual leave year. Collective bargaining agreements often provide for more leave time. Employees are entitled to take four consecutive weeks of leave between June and August.

In Sweden, the public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day

• Epiphany

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Labor Day/May Day

• Ascension Day

• National Day of Sweden

• Midsummer

• All Saints' Day

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

Sweden has universal health care.

An employer must have a reason to terminate an employee in Sweden, which can include business reasons or employee performance or misconduct. In most cases, employers terminate employees with notice depending on the employee’s length of service. The notice period ranges from 14 days for employees in a probation period and one to six months for other employees.