An overwhelming majority of Sweden’s municipalities do not give employees the right to take a wellness hour to be able to exercise during working hours, according to the Association of Academics SSR.
There are also large differences in the size of the annual health care allowance.
Only 78 of the country’s 290 municipalities give employees the right to a wellness hour, which usually means that the employees can exercise one hour per week with full pay.
The SSR Association of Academics draws that conclusion after sending out a questionnaire about health care hours and health care grants to which all municipalities have responded.
22 municipalities offer nothing at all
Twenty-two municipalities have no wellness allowance for employees, and eight municipalities have neither wellness hour nor wellness allowance – including Emmaboda and Ystad.
“Municipalities must start taking employees’ health seriously. Wellness hours and wellness allowances are important tools to reduce sick leave but also to be attractive employers,” says the union’s president Heike Erkers in a press release.
Among the municipalities that have health care subsidies, there are large differences. Eleven municipalities give employees SEK 500 a year.
Only one municipality, Kiruna, provides the maximum amount of SEK 5,000 and wellness care hour.
Facts: Health care allowance
Facts: Health care allowance
The health care allowance is a tax-free personal care benefit and may be a maximum of SEK 5,000 per calendar year.
Can be used for simpler activities with an element of exercise or for treatment that relieves stress or counteracts soreness and stiffness. It can also be used for dietary advice and counseling for smoking cessation.
The grant may not be used to rent or buy equipment, or for membership fees, theory courses, diplomas, health care, medical care or beauty care.
For activities without an element of exercise, the activity may cost a maximum of SEK 1,000 per occasion.
Source: Tax Agency