Tjänstled

Tjänstled is a Swedish term that translates to "leave of absence" or "unpaid leave" in English. It refers to a period where an employee is granted permission by their employer to be away from their work duties for a specified duration. During this time, the employee is generally not paid their regular salary, and their employment contract is temporarily suspended, though they typically retain their job for when they return.

The reasons for taking tjänstled can be varied and are often stipulated in collective agreements or individual employment contracts. Common grounds include pursuing further education, caring for a family member, undertaking voluntary work, starting a business, or experiencing personal circumstances that require an extended break from employment.

In many Swedish workplaces, the right to tjänstled is regulated by law, particularly the Act on Parental Leave and the Act on Leave of Absence. These laws often specify the conditions under which an employee can request such leave, including notice periods and the duration of the leave. While the employer must consider requests for tjänstled, they may sometimes have grounds to deny it, depending on the circumstances and the impact on the business operations. Upon the conclusion of the tjänstled period, the employee is generally entitled to return to their former position or a comparable one.