[author: Anna Jerndorf - Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB]

Amendment to the Swedish Discrimination Act

Enacted Legislation

As of January 1, 2017, under a new amendment to the Swedish Discrimination Act (2008:567), all employers shall conduct annual pay surveys. The previous rules required a pay survey every three years. Employers with more than 10 employees must also document the work they have made in relation to the survey and employers with more than 25 employees are required to document all active measures that have been carried out against discrimination.

Whistleblower Protection

Enacted Legislation

A new act (2016:749) on specific protection for whistleblowers entered into effect as of January 1, 2017. The new act will strengthen the right for employees, in both private and public sector, to expose information about corruption or other serious irregularities without risking negative repercussions. It prohibits any form of retaliation against employees who report serious wrongdoing and require employers to adopt internal whistleblowing procedures.

New Regulations for the Posting of Workers

Enacted Legislation

The Swedish Government has adopted the bill "new posting regulations". The proposal suggests that trade unions will be able to demand a Swedish collective agreement with regard to posted workers, using industrial action as a last resort. The legislative amendments are expected to take effect as of July 1, 2017. The bill also aims to implement the EU’s Enforcement Directive.

View all Q1 2017 Global Guide Quarterly updates