Other types of leave

As a rule, you normally get a deduction on your salary. The size of the deduction depends on the cause of leave. The deduction is stated on your salary statement.

You must apply for leave via Primula self-service in good time. Your immediate superior will grant or deny your application.

Family matters

You are permitted leave without salary deduction for up to 10 days per calendar year:

• during serious illness (life-threatening or so acute that the employee is required to intervene) – 1 day
• death – 1 day
• funeral – 1 day
• estate inventory proceedings or distribution of an estate – 1 day

Applies to your family or close relatives.

Family or close relatives mean:

• spouse
• registered partner
• common law spouse (‘sambo’)
• children
• grandchildren
• parents (including step and foster parents)
• grandparents
• siblings
• parents-in-law (spouse’s, registered partner’s or common law spouse’s parents)
• uncle
• aunt
• nephew/niece
• son-in-law
• daughter-in-law
• brother-in-law
• sister-in-law

Also: if you are a beneficiary of an estate or have the right to represent such a beneficiary in matters of estate inventory proceedings or distribution of an estate.

Use of time: consideration must be given to how much time the matter takes up as well as any trips that need to be taken during working hours. Practically, one day is given to the matter and one day for any travel time over longer distances.

There are of course other occasions where you might want to take leave for other ‘family matters’, but then you must apply for other types of leave, such as holiday or leave with salary deduction (a so called ‘private matter’).

Examples of ’family matters’ where leave may be granted but with salary deduction (or holiday/compensatory leave):

• planning and discussion of a funeral (e.g. visiting a funeralparlour or meeting with a minister of religion)
• grieving for a death
• the funeral of a close friend, even if the relationship was very special
• cleaning a residence or moving after a death
• helping a close relative move
• going with a relative to the doctor
• visiting a close relative to help adjust their home, medical teams, etc.
• celebrating a birthday
• private matters

You do not have the right to take leave for other private matters than those listed above. Each application will be reviewed. During partial leave of absence, the employer will be considerate of the employee’s family’s social issues. Leave for private matters may be granted if there are specific reasons and if it does not inconvenience the operation. SLU’s policy is to be restrictive in this matter.

Care of close relatives

You are permitted to take leave with full salary deduction on days when you receive benefit for care of closely related persons because you are taking care of a close relative at home or in another residence. Benefit for care of closely related persons is granted by Försäkringskassan. You must enclose a copy of Försäkringskassan’s decision in the leave application letter.

Moving

You may take leave during a workday without salary deduction if you are moving. 

Qualifications or exams

You are permitted to take leave without salary deduction for a maximum of five workdays per calendar year to take an exam or a qualification. You salary will be deducted for the remaining days.

Serving in the Swedish Total Defence

The main rule is that you are granted leave with full salary deduction for service in the Swedish Total Defence. In certain cases, salary may be kept, e.g. during refresher training (or equivalent) where supplementary salary is paid, making the total reimbursement, including daily salary, correspond to 90% of the set salary. If you take leave to serve as a reservist, 25% of your salary is paid unless another agreement is made.

Fulfilling a public function

You are deducted your full salary during the time it takes to fulfil the function.

Other time-limited government employment

If you have an indefinite-term employment, you are permitted to take leave for another time-limited government employment. The employment must not exceed two years.

Other employments

You may also be granted leave for other employments than those relating to the government if there are specific reasons and if it does not inconvenience the university. SLU’s policy is to grant leave for a maximum of six months unless there are specific circumstances dictating otherwise. You do not have a definite right to this type of leave. According to the Villkorsavtalet-T agreements (General agreement on pay and benefits for government employees), this type of leave may last for a maximum of six months, unless there are grounds for something else.

Business operations

According to the Right to Leave to Conduct a Business Operation Act (SFS 1997:1293), an employee has the right to take a leave of absence from their employment for a maximum of six months to run their own business (self-employment). The operation may not compete with the employer’s operation and may not substantially inconvenience the employer’s operation. A prerequisite is that you have been employed for the past six months or a total of at least twelve months for the past two years. The decision is made by the head of the department (or equivalent).

General rules for leave without salary

Leave is not generally granted for an employee who has been employed at the university a shorter time (approximately a year). Also, leave is usually not permitted if you hold a temporary post.