Only 78 of the country's 290 municipalities give employees the right to a fitness hour, which usually means that employees can exercise one hour per week with full pay.
This conclusion is drawn by Akademikerförbundet SSR after sending out a survey on fitness hours and fitness grants that all municipalities have responded to.
Twenty-two municipalities lack fitness grants entirely, and eight municipalities have neither fitness hours nor fitness grants – including Emmaboda and Ystad.
"Municipalities must start taking employees' health seriously. Fitness hours and fitness grants are important tools for reducing sick leave but also for being attractive employers", says the union's chairman Heike Erkers in a press release.
Among the municipalities that have fitness grants, there are large differences. Eleven municipalities give employees 500 kronor per year.
Only one municipality, Kiruna, provides the maximum amount of 5,000 kronor and a fitness hour.
Facts: Fitness Grants
The fitness grant is a tax-free personnel benefit and may be up to 5,000 kronor per calendar year.
It can be used for simpler activities with elements of exercise or for treatment that is stress-reducing or counteracts stiffness. It can also be used for dietary advice and counseling for smoking cessation.
The grant may not be used for renting or purchasing equipment, or for membership fees, theory courses, diplomas, healthcare, medical care, or beauty care.
For activities without elements of exercise, the activity may cost up to 1,000 kronor per occasion.
Source: The Tax Agency
