FAQ about return to work
How is SSE planning for a return to work on campus?
On July 30 the Swedish Public Health Agency issued an updated recommendation regarding the general return to work after summer holidays. The updated
recommendation encourages people to continue to work from home if possible to do so and if their employer agrees. They also recommend, if possible, to continue to avoid public transport. We will not organize a common return to offices for professional services in August. Instead, every department and team will need to assess their activities and ability to operate under the updated recommendations. Previously adopted plans for a partial return to offices - including sharing days, flexible hours, adjusted furnishing, increased cleaning etc - will serve as useful guidelines and help us uphold a safe environment for all who need to be present on campus.
If the restrictions are eased and the authorities’ recommendations allow it, our hope and plan is to gradually increase the number of employees who can work on campus.
What is the employer’s responsibility regarding corona (COVID-19) and workplace safety?
As an employer, SSE is responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and secure. The employer’s responsibility also includes, if necessary, making risk assessments of situations or tasks that expose you or your colleagues to risks. We are taking steps to ensure a safe and secure workplace by, for example, planning for how many employees can be on campus at the same time, clarifying guidelines for common spaces, synchronizing return plans, increasing cleaning, and developing guidelines for when and how to be on campus.
I am worried about being infected at work and my employer wants me to work from there. What is applicable?
SSE is responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and secure. The employer’s responsibility also includes, if necessary, making risk assessments of situations or tasks that expose you or your colleagues to risks.
We are taking steps to ensure a safe and secure workplace by, for example, planning for how many employees can be on campus at the same time, clarifying guidelines for common spaces, synchronizing return plans, increasing cleaning, and developing guidelines for when and how to be on campus.
I want to work from home, but my employer wants me to work from my physical workplace. Generally, working from home is
encouraged – shouldn’t it be the same for everyone?
Your employer is required to continuously assess the working environment, not only for the entire group but also for each individual. It is therefore not possible to say that the same thing should apply to everyone since we all have different working conditions.
In the current situation, employers should pay particular attention to risk groups and follow the recommendations of The Public Health Agency of Sweden
(Folkhälsomyndigheten) on working from home.
I want to work from my physical workplace. What do I need to consider or think about?
Talk to your manager about what applies in your situation. We are following the authorities’ recommendations on general return to work after summer. The current recommendation encourages people to continue to work from home if possible to do so and if their employer agrees. All situations are assessed individually on the basis of the risk of infection, risk groups, and SSE operations.
When we work on campus, it is important to follow the recommendations and guidelines from authorities regarding, for example, physical social distancing and using public transportation. Authorities recommend avoiding rush hour traffic. If you have the opportunity to get to work by other means, this is recommended. If you need to use public transportation to get to work, consider whether you can travel at times other than during rush hour. Note that using public transportation is not prohibited and if your employer wants you to work on campus then you need to do so.
I belong to a risk group. What applies to me regarding working from home or from my physical workplace?
It is important to remember that you do not have the right to work from home, but we take great consideration of whether you are in a risk group and assess situations individually based on risk of infection, risk groups, and SSE operations. Contact your manager to discuss what applies to you.
I live with one or more people who belong to a risk group. Do I have the right to work from home?
No, but you can talk to your manager to see if you can get permission to work from
Will SSE be offering COVID-19 testing for employees?
We will not be offering testing since we currently cannot ensure the reliability of the tests. This decision may change depending on how the situation develops.
My employer wants me to work from home but I don’t have a good workplace there. What is my employer’s responsibility when I work from home?
Your employer is responsible for ensuring that you have a good working environment even at home. For most people, working from home for a couple of days with a laptop works well. If you have to work from home for a longer period of time, then the employer needs to map your home working environment and what needs you have of different work-related tools.
If you have special needs that mean you can’t work from home or require special tools, contact your manager or HR business partner and see if you can find a good solution.
Do I have to take sick leave if I have a slight cold? I’m losing money and can in fact work. It’s not possible for me to work from home.
Yes, you do. According to the Communicable Diseases Act (Smittskyddslagen), you must pay attention and take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of infectious
diseases. Anyone who knows or has reason to suspect that they are carrying an infectious disease is required to take the necessary measures to protect others against the risk of infection.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden advises anyone with symptoms of a cold, even mild ones, to avoid contact with others, both at work and in their private lives.
What if I hurt myself when I’m working from home? Does the work- related injury insurance SSE has cover me?
The work-related injury insurance (TFA, TFA-KL and PSA) applies when you are working from home. Unlike working in the workplace, the injury must have a direct connection to the work you are performing. This means that you have been injured in the course of performing your duties. For example, if you injure yourself when you are making coffee in the kitchen, it is not considered a work-related injury, even if it happens during set working hours.
Am I entitled to compensation if I have to stay home from work?
You have the right to your salary if your employer decides that you should work from home or completely refrain from working without support from the Communicable Diseases Act. For example, this may be because the employer wants everyone to work from home for precautionary reasons.
If you are absent from work due to compliance with the Communicable Diseases Act, such as if Swedish healthcare has determined that you are infected, then you can apply for the so-called disease carrier allowance from the Swedish Social Insurance
Administration (Försäkringskassan). In this situation, your employer can make payroll deductions.
What if the preschool is closed and I need to stay home to take care of my child?
In this situation, your employer is not required to pay your salary. However, you may have the right to be on parental leave according to the Parental Leave Act. Other options may be that you and your employer reach an agreement that you will work from home, take a vacation, or take a leave of absence.
Do I need to stay home if someone in my family is sick?
According to The Public Health Agency of Sweden, you do not have to stay home because someone in your household is sick. You need to stay home if you have any symptoms of a cold or flu. You are welcome back to work as soon as you are well again and symptom-free. Stay up to date on this matter via the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
What does the fact that the government has temporarily suspended the deduction from sick pay mean?
This means that you get sick pay from day one if you get sick and need to stay home from work. On your salary specification, salary deductions will be made as usual and then you can apply retroactively to the Swedish Social Insurance Administration.
The sick pay deduction is temporarily suspended as of March 11. If you are employed, you will receive SEK 804 before taxes as standard compensation. The compensation period is valid from July 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. You must apply for
compensation yourself from the Swedish Social Insurance Administration.
You can find more information about the compensation and how you apply for it on the
Have there been changes in the rules regarding doctor’s certificates?
Yes. If you reported that you were sick on March 13 or later, you do not need to submit a doctor’s certificate until after you have been sick for 21 days and apply for the sickness benefits payment. There are also changes regarding temporary decisions in sickness benefits payment. You can find more information about this on the Swedish Social Insurance Administration’s corona website.
What if I am put in quarantine during a trip abroad because of corona?
If you are quarantined during a private trip and for that reason are unable to return to work, then your employer is not obligated to pay your salary while you are absent.
If the same thing happens during a business trip, then you are still entitled to your salary.
In that case, you also have the right to a daily expense allowance.
Can I or my employer change or cancel a vacation that has already been granted?
Once you have applied for and been granted a vacation, you cannot change or cancel it.
But you can always talk to your manager and see if you can reach an agreement.
Your employer can cancel your vacation if there are very important reasons.
