SWEDEN: Is the current legislation ineffective to combat work-related stress?

The number of diseases caused by occupational stress has increased considerably in Sweden. At present, 40% of those on sick leave are suffering a psychosocial disease. The social partners, aware of the problem, have decided to act by producing draft “guidelines” to supplement the Swedish Work Environment Act, seldom followed by employers, in the area of psychosocial risks. In the end, for want of agreement, no text was produced.

A researcher has published the results of his work carried out on a possible change in the current legislation. He considers that the Work Environment Act is too vague and does not clearly stipulate the responsibilities of the employer. It is therefore considered ineffective and obsolete. In his opinion, despite the complexity of the problem of work-related stress, it is possible to produce binding general provisions to better prevent it with or without an agreement between the employers and trade unions.