Vinge Dude Diligence – for improved gender equality

Changes to the Swedish Employment Protection Act and other labour laws

In recent years, the modernisation and reform of Swedish labour law has been a constant topic in the political debate. Earlier this year, Government Bill 2021/22:176, entitled "Flexibility, adaptability and security in the labour market", was presented. The bill, which is based on an agreement between the social partners, proposes legislative changes to a total of 21 labour laws. On 8 June 2022, the Swedish Parliament voted through the proposal, which will bring major changes to Swedish labour law. The majority of the proposed changes will enter into force on 30 June 2022 and will apply for the first time on 1 October 2022. In this detailed analysis, we will outline the most important changes to the Employment Protection Act (1982:80) ("EPA") and the Agency Work Act (2012:854).

New partners and counsel appointed at Vinge’s Malmö and Stockholm offices

Advokat Daniel Daun and advokat Victor Ericsson at Vinge’s Malmö and Stockholm offices respectively have been appointed as new partners as of 1 January 2023. Jacob Jeanrond, Caroline Krassén, Henrik Schön, Maria Dahlin Kolvik, Sara Strandberg and Linn Adelwald have been elected as counsel at Vinge’s Stockholm office.

New regulation regarding employer’s obligation to provide information and parallel employment

In March 2022, the Government presented a proposal for a new regulation on extended obligations regarding information about employment conditions and new clarifying rules on workers' rights to parallel employment under certain conditions. The updated regulation is based on a directive from European Union called “transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union”.

Vinge wins M&A legal advisor of the year award

Mergermarket has awarded Vinge the Swedish Legal M&A Advisor of 2021.

Decision from the Government – requirement for authorities to have external whistleblowing functions

On 17 December 2021, the new Whistleblower Act entered into force. The Act requires businesses and authorities to set up and manage so-called internal and external reporting channels.

Emelie Svensäter Jerntorp appointed as new partner

Commencing 1 January 2022, Emelie Svensäter Jerntorp will become a partner at Vinge’s Skåne office.

What an employer should know about the New Whistleblowing Act

Why adopt a new Whistleblowing Act when the current act was adopted as late as 2017?

Employer bears burden of lack of clarity regarding dismissal        

In a judgment in case AD 2021 no. 14, the Swedish Labour Court has clarified that, if an employer has had a justifiable reason to believe that an employee considers himself or herself to be terminated or summarily dismissed notwithstanding that the employer does not believe such to be the case, the employer must make it clear that the employment relationship persists. Passivity in such a situation will cause the employee to be regarded as being terminated or summarily dismissed, which may constitute a violation of the Swedish Employment Protection Act.

The Supreme Administrative Court grants leave to appeal regarding comparison month for short-term work

At the request of the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court has granted leave to appeal on an issue involving a short-term work comparison month.

Extended measures in response to COVID-19

As we have previously reported in the newsletter, the Government has pursued various measures to reduce the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market, including the implementation of qualifying-period compensation for employees and reduced employer’s social insurance contributions for persons aged 19-23.

Amendments to the Employment Protection Act (Ministry Publications Series 2021:17): Labour law reform

Amendments to the Employment Protection Act (Ministry Publications Series 2021:17): Labour law reform – for flexibility, adaptability and security on the labour market

The European Court of Justice restricts a company’s possibility to “buy its way out of” discrimination cases

The European Court of Justice has clarified in a new judgment the fact that someone who believes they have been discriminated against is entitled to a determination by a court of law which establishes whether discrimination has occurred – on condition that the opposing party has denied it. Thus, a party who has been accused of discrimination may no longer “block” the right of the affected party to judicial review by stipulating to the compensatory part of the legal action. This decision augments the protection for individuals against discrimination and might mean that certain Swedish procedural rules are incompatible with EU law.

New survey of the conditions for working at home during the pandemic

The work environment has been altered for many employees during the pandemic largely due to the recommendation from the Swedish Public Health Agency that employers, to the extent possible, should see to it that their employees can work from home.

Vinge awarded Sweden Law Firm of the Year 2021 by Chambers & Partners

The award, Chambers Europe Award for Excellence – Sweden Law Firm of the Year 2021, is one of the foremost awards a Swedish law firm can receive. Vinge has previously received the award on four occasions.

Vinge has received the highest ranking in 14 of 18 categories in Legal 500’s recently released rankings.

The following practice areas have been awarded Tier 1 in The Legal 500’s EMEA guide: Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Commercial, Corporate and M&A, Employment, Energy, Environment, EU and Competition, Insolvency, Insurance, Intellectual Property and Media, IT and Telecoms, Real Estate, Shipping, Tax.