semesterrätten

Semesterrätten refers to the employee’s right to paid annual leave in Sweden. It is primarily defined in the Swedish Annual Leave Act (Semesterlagen) and supplemented by collective agreements and individual employment contracts. The core idea is that workers are entitled to time off from work with pay to rest and recover.

Under the law, a full-time employee typically accrues at least 25 vacation days per year, equivalent to five weeks. Part-time workers earn vacation days pro rata to their normal working time, and some agreements may grant more days. Vacation days are taken within a defined holiday year, commonly referred to as the semesterår, which runs from April 1 to March 31. The employer and employee usually plan holidays together, though the employer can impose restrictions for business reasons, while employees retain protection against being deprived of statutory vacation.

Holiday pay, or semesterlön, is paid during the vacation period. The calculation method can vary: it is often a percentage of earnings (commonly around 12 per cent) or a rate specified by collective agreements. The exact pay rule may depend on the employment contract or industry agreements.

Acquisition and use of semesterrätten occur as employment continues, with unused days sometimes carried over to the next year under specific terms. Upon termination of employment, the employee is generally entitled to a payout for unused vacation days, known as semesterersättning, subject to the law and applicable agreements.

Role of collective agreements and contracts: Many sectors provide more generous terms, different carryover rules, or alternative pay calculations. Disputes are typically resolved through internal procedures, unions, or labor tribunals if necessary.