This spring, Caroline, whose real name is something else, worked at a PR agency. When the corona pandemic paralyzed the company's finances, all were short-term laid off at 60 percent. 

- We would only work three hours a day, but it was completely impossible. My job is already at 120 percent a week and to then go down to only work 40 percent but at the same time have the same number of tasks, it goes without saying that it is not possible, says Caroline. 

Early in the crisis, it became clear that the company where Caroline worked needed to lay off a number of employees, including Caroline. She continued to be on part-time leave during the notice period. 

- The managers encouraged us to show our front feet and work as usual to have a chance to be re-employed. We drove as usual, but reported time as if we worked three hours, she says.

Has distributed 27.5 billion

More than 50,000 companies have applied for the support, and so far the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, which is responsible for the support for short-term layoffs, has distributed SEK 27.5 billion. After three months, the authority conducts a reconciliation to ensure that the information submitted by the companies is correct. Those who have not reported correct information risk receiving a letter of demand for repayment of the support. 

- Many of us at the company also worked overtime of our own free will, partly because we wanted to be re-employed but also because we felt like a team that was willing to do anything to save the company. But after a while, the team spirit disappeared, says Caroline. 

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, which together with the Swedish Tax Agency conducts investigations of suspected fraud, will review all employees covered by the support.

"Then maybe the rest of their business is not so nice"

Caroline's employer, who encouraged employees to report fewer hours, let her quit a month earlier than her severance pay. 

- This was the only way for the company not to go under, but it's ugly to cheat. There are probably many agencies that are much worse. One can wonder if companies that cheat really should survive, then maybe the rest of their business is not so nice, says Caroline.