Changes to the Swedish Employment Protection Act (LAS) will primarily affect those in fixed-term employment with an hourly wage

By Charlotte [dot] Hedin [at] hr [dot] lu [dot] se (Charlotte Hedin) - published 19 September 2022

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In June, the Riksdag adopted the Government’s bill Flexibility, adaptability and security in the labour market. The bill concerns modernisation of labour law with changes to the Employment Protection Act (LAS), among other things. The changes to LAS will take effect on 1 October.

The changes mean that the basis for time-limited work “general fixed-term employment” is being replaced by “special fixed-term employment”, which has different conditions in terms of preferential rights and becomes permanent employment more quickly.

The aim of the changes is to provide better employment protection for the employee.

Requires long-term vision and planning in talent provision

Now that there are changes being made in the labour law, there will be different requirements for long-term planning in employers’ approach to talent provision, needs analyses, recruitment and proactivity in transition work.

At Lund University, the HR Division works to keep managers and HR officers updated on the consequences of legislative changes.

Affects those who are offered temporary employment on an hourly wage

At Lund University, the change in LAS affects those who are offered temporary employment on an hourly wage – i.e., who have a so-called “intermittent agreement, based on time-limited general fixed-term employment”.

If you have fixed-term employment with a monthly salary that started before 1 October, you will not be affected by the new rules.

Ends in Primula on 30 September

As “general fixed-term employment” expires on 1 October, these agreements will have an end date of 30 September 2022 in the Primula payroll system.

Are you leaving LU before 1 October? Report your hours in Primula by 14 October at the latest.

If you will not be working at Lund University after 30 September this year, you need to report your hours worked in Primula by 14 October at the latest. After that, your access to Primula will stop working. If for any reason you are unable to record your hours worked before 14 October, you must notify your manager so that an administrator can assist you in recording your hours and handling payment.

If you do not usually report your hours yourself in Primula, but via a source reporter, you should report your hours as usual (to your source reporter) after the end of September.

Still working at LU after 1 October?

If you have agreed on new shifts after 1 October with your manager or are going to be offered new short-term and temporary employment after 1 October, you must draw up a new agreement with your manager, based on the new rules in LAS. Contact your manager or local HR officer if you have any questions about this.

Those offered the opportunity to enter into a new agreement for short-term and temporary employment can register their hours worked in Primula after 14 October.

Register hours on time to get paid in the right month

If you have temporary employment on an hourly wage, it is important that you register your hours worked in Primula during the first calendar week of the month following your month of work, at the latest. This is to ensure that you obtain your salary in the correct month, and so that Lund University is able to fulfil its obligations towards you as an employee.
Read more about the proposal on the Riksdag’s website:

Flexibility, adaptability and security in the labour market – Riksdagen (in Swedish)