How did Sweden’s workplaces respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise presents Sweden’s national report as part of the PEROSH collaborative project: “Lessons learned for OSH from the COVID-19 pandemic: How Different European Countries Addressed Occupational Health and Safety Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Key findings from the Swedish report:
- Voluntary compliance and individual responsibility: Sweden’s strategy relied on recommendations and trust, rather than mandatory lockdowns. Most workplaces, schools, and businesses remained open, with a focus on social distancing, hygiene, and staying home when ill.
- Teleworking and digitalisation: Remote work surged, bringing both flexibility and challenges. Many experienced better work-life balance, but also isolation, blurred boundaries, and ergonomic issues. Digitalisation accelerated across sectors.
- Strain on frontline sectors: Healthcare, elderly care, and education faced high workloads, staff shortages, and increased stress. Over 39,000 COVID-19-related occupational diseases were reported, mainly in healthcare and social care.
- Mental health and psychosocial risks: Stress and sleep problems increased, especially among women, younger people, and those in high-risk sectors. Teleworking reduced stress for some, but created new psychosocial challenges for others.
- Economic impact: Unemployment and economic vulnerability rose, particularly among young people, those with lower education, and foreign-born workers. Financial support measures helped mitigate some effects.
- Lessons for the future: Sweden’s experience highlights the need for strengthened systematic work environment management, crisis preparedness, investment in digitalisation, and a focus on psychosocial health. Relationship-oriented leadership and targeted support for vulnerable groups are crucial for resilience.
Sweden’s approach—based on trust, decentralisation, and voluntary compliance—offers unique insights for building adaptable and resilient workplaces across Europe.
📘 Read the full report:
Sweden’s Experiences from the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Work Environment Perspective
