The holidays are long-awaited for many, but what should you do if your employer suddenly calls and asks you to work in the middle of your summer vacation?
You cannot refuse to cancel your vacation if your boss orders you to. However, your boss must have special reasons to cancel or withdraw your already granted vacation.
Extraordinary reasons mean things that could not have been foreseen, for example if all employees at the workplace become ill, or if something unforeseen were to occur that would affect the entire company.
Very unexpected
In white-collar professions, it can be more difficult for employers to recall employees citing exceptional reasons than it is in healthcare, for example, according to Caroline Lindeberg, negotiator and adviser at Akavia.
In healthcare, exceptional reasons may be more obvious. In white-collar professions, the employer really has to be able to prove that something very unexpected has happened and that they were unable to plan for or foresee this, she tells TT.
However, as long as nothing else has been agreed, an employer cannot require that you be available by phone or email during the holiday, according to Caroline Lindeberg.
This applies to both permanent employees and temporary employees, and regardless of whether you have a work phone or not.
Can deny
The employee may also have a valid reason not to interrupt the vacation, for example if they have small children and childcare is not available at that time.
A holiday that has been granted but has not yet started can only be revoked in exceptional cases. If an employer revokes the holiday without having a compelling reason, the company or organization may be liable to pay damages to the employee.
If you are forced to interrupt your vacation and return to work, your regular salary and benefits will apply and you will receive back the vacation days you would have taken.
If your break from your vacation means that you are forced to cancel a trip or a rented summer cottage, you should agree with your manager about compensation for any costs you have incurred for this.
Sources: Akavia, ST Trade Union, Unionen and the Swedish Healthcare Federation.
