Responsibility of the Public Employment Service in the event of a heightened state of alert and war

Everyone has a role in the event of a heightened state of alert or war. The duty to serve in the total defence, which comprises military and civil defence, includes everyone between 16 and 70 years of age in Sweden and may occur through general compulsory national service. If the government decides on a heightened state of alert, the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) will prioritise compensation for individuals and be responsible for assigning people to important jobs for the total defence. We explain what that means here.

The role of the Public Employment Service in a heightened state of alert

The Public Employment Service is one of approximately 60 preparedness authorities of particular importance for civil preparedness. In the event of a heightened state of alert, the Public Employment Service will continue to carry out its mission as long as it is possible to do so as it would during peacetime, but will prioritise:

  • handling compensation to individuals and
  • helping to ensure staffing of the total defence through the general compulsory national service.

If there is a heightened state of alert and the government activates the general compulsory national service, the Public Employment Service has a mandate to make decisions relating to important operations for the total defence. This means that the authority determines who will be required to go to their ordinary jobs, and who will be required to carry out important operations for the total defence, if additional staff is needed. This mainly applies to people who are unemployed, but may also include others if the situation requires it. For example, this could mean that people with medical training are assigned to work in a hospital.

Your role in case of a heightened state of alert

For jobseekers

If the government decides to activate the general compulsory national service, the Public Employment Service may assign you to a job that is important for the total defence

  • The Public Employment Service might assign you to perform work that is important for the total defence. Such an assignment only happens if the government decides to activate the general compulsory national service.
  • You cannot be assigned to do work that involves using a weapon against another person without giving consent.
  • You are entitled to the same benefits and working conditions in general that are applicable based on a contract or that would otherwise apply for similar work.

The general compulsory national service means that the Public Employment Service decides that you will continue working in your current role, be assigned to a job, or participate through voluntary agreement. You are obligated to comply with the decision – it cannot be appealed. The Public Employment Service does not make decisions for those who participate through voluntary agreement.

For employers

If your operation is not important for the total defence, you may need to release staff who have been appointed by the Public Employment Service to another assignment within the total defence, or who have a wartime placement from another player. It is also possible, through wartime placement based on an employment contract, to protect key individuals who you need to retain.

  • You may need to release staff who have been appointed by the Public Employment Service to another assignment that is important for the total defence or who have a wartime placement from another player.
  • You do not pay salary to staff members assigned to another task – the new operation is responsible for this.
  • If the Public Employment Service assigns staff to you during the general compulsory national service, they are entitled to compensation and other terms in accordance with the applicable contract with you.
  • If a preparedness authority has determined that you are important for the total defence, you may claim key individuals in your business yourself through registration (wartime placement based on employment contract – krigsplacering med anställningsavtalet som grund) with the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency (Plikt- och prövningsverket).

How do I know if our operation is important for the total defence?
You will be contacted and assessed by a preparedness authority.

Can I terminate the employment of a staff member who has a wartime placement with another business?
No. The person retains their employment and their right to salary development and career development.

Can I protect staff I need?
Yes, through wartime placement in your operation – but only if you are important for the total defence.

If you are employed

If the government decides to activate the general compulsory national service, you may be required to work in your current job during the heightened state of alert or be assigned by the Public Employment Service to another operation that is important for the total defence.

  • During a heightened state of alert, you may be required to continue to work in your current job, a so-called extension of service (tjänsteförlängning). Your employer can prepare for this by registering you as claimed (wartime placement based on employment contract – krigsplacerad med anställningsavtalet som grund) with the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency. The decision means that you cannot quit and entails criminal liability if you fail to show up. If you already have a wartime placement, for example with the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), your employer will have a dialogue with those who have already given you the placement.
  • If you do not have a wartime placement with your employer, the Public Employment Service may assign you to perform work in another operation that is important for the total defence. The decision means that you cannot quit and entails criminal liability if you fail to show up.