övertiden

Overtiden is a Swedish term referring to overtime work. It describes the hours worked by an employee beyond their regular, contracted working hours. In Sweden, as in many other countries, regulations exist to govern overtime, primarily concerning compensation and maximum working hours.

The specifics of overtime are typically outlined in employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements. Generally, overtime work is compensated at a higher rate than normal working hours. This rate is often a percentage increase, such as 50% for the first few hours of overtime and 100% for subsequent hours or work performed on weekends and public holidays. Employees are also entitled to compensatory time off in some cases, depending on the agreement.

Swedish labor law, governed by the Work Environment Act (Arbetsmiljölagen) and the Working Time Act (Arbetstidslagen), sets limits on how much overtime an employee can work. These limits are in place to protect the employee's health and well-being, preventing excessive working hours and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Employers must ensure that overtime is managed responsibly and in accordance with legal requirements and any applicable collective agreements. The concept of övertiden is thus a regulated aspect of employment in Sweden, designed to balance the needs of employers with the rights and welfare of employees.