No law against contacting employee outside work hours
In Sweden, there is no law that regulates whether an employer can contact an employee outside of work hours. However, there is no obligation for the employee to respond outside of work hours. In countries like Portugal, France, Belgium, and Ireland, it is illegal for an employer to contact employees outside of work hours. An employer who emails or calls on the weekend can be fined. [1]
Can my employer contact me during my vacation?
The purpose of a vacation is for you to rest and recharge, and it is regulated by the Vacation Act Semesterlagen. The employer must aim not to disturb and not assume that you will check email or be available by phone. It doesn't matter if the employee uses a work computer or work phone. [2]
Can the employer demand that the vacation be interrupted?
If there is a genuine and unforeseen reason, there is a possibility for the employer to call in the employee during the vacation. For example, if the company's survival depends on the employee coming in to work. However, if it turns out that there was not sufficient reason, the employer may be liable to pay damages to the employee. [3]
Vacation Act - Semesterlag (1977:480)
The Vacation Act regulates that employees have the right to a leave period of at least four weeks sometime between June and August. If the employer violates this, they may be liable to compensate the employee. All employees have the right to 25 days of vacation per year. [4]
