In order to solve the summer staffing at many covid departments around the country, the employer has been forced to move on vacations. Many regions then pay compensation from a few thousand SEK up to SEK 25,000 per moved holiday week to affected personnel.

"It burns and hurts"

The Jönköping region has so far chosen not to pay any compensation to staff who are forced to move on their vacation. Something that upset, among others, the specialist nurse Eva Berglund, who works at covid-IVA at the county hospital Ryhov.

- Other regional managers have well realized that they must pay for their nurses to keep them and be attractive as an employer.

How does it feel when others receive compensation for relocated holidays and not you?

- I don't envy any other compensation, it's worth it. Many have worked hard this spring. But it is clear that it is stifling and hurt when our regional management does not realize what it is they are doing to us, says Eva Berglund.

Follows the collective agreement

But the regional management in Jönköping claims to follow the collective agreement and according to it, the employer is not obliged to pay compensation for relocated holidays. HR Director Sven Fägerskjöld emphasizes that the region has done much different.

- After all, we have decided on an extra investment of 50 million in our pay review to the vulnerable groups. In addition, we have decided on a work valuation supplement of approximately SEK 30 million, which is specifically aimed at staff working with covid patients.

Sven Fägerskjöld, HR Director of Jönköping Region. Photo: SVT

May be compensation anyway

But during the interview, Sven Fägerskjöld says that the region now opens to possibly pay compensation for relocated holidays. On Wednesday, there is a negotiation on the issue with the relevant unions.

- If we were to agree on Wednesday that we have found a good solution, then decisions can come already on Wednesday, says Sven Fägerskjöld.