The government can decide on increased preparedness (elevated or highest level of preparedness) in case of danger of war or if war breaks out. When there is increased preparedness, all or parts of the total defense, which includes both military and civilian defense, are mobilized. The war in Ukraine and the changing security political situation raises many questions, especially about what could happen to you as an employee and employer in a crisis situation in Sweden.
If you are employed by the state, municipality, region or an important company, you can be conscripted. Conscription is a planning measure that the employer can decide on at any time during employment. However, you are not obligated to serve in your conscription until a decision on increased preparedness and general service duty has been made.
All citizens or residents of Sweden between the ages of 16 and 70 are included in total defense duty, which means they can be called to various types of service. Total defense duty is divided into three main categories: military service duty, civilian service duty, and general service duty. Civilian service duty and general service duty ensure that important societal functions such as electricity and water supply, as well as child care, continue to function even under exceptional circumstances.
During general service duty, you may be expected to continue in your current employment and perform your regular duties or be assigned other tasks by an authority. It is required that you retain your employment and cannot resign during this period.
If there is a decision on general service duty that you are subject to, you must remain in your employment even if you have not received a specific conscription decision before the preparedness is raised.
The government can decide to raise preparedness in the event of a threat of war or actual outbreak of war, which means that total defense is mobilized. Increased preparedness includes both military and civilian defense.
Employers in state authorities, municipalities, regions or important companies can decide to place their employees in wartime service as part of their crisis planning. This placement is activated only when a decision on increased preparedness and general service duty has been made.
Total defense duty applies to all individuals between the ages of 16 and 70 and may involve conscription for military service duty, civilian service duty, or general service duty. Employers may need to release personnel to ensure that important societal functions such as electricity and water supply, as well as child care, are maintained.
During general service duty, employees are expected to continue in their current positions or perform tasks assigned by an authority. Employers are not allowed to approve resignations from employees during this period.
Government agencies can loan their employees to other actors and conscript them for service with other organizations. However, it does not seem possible for employers to conscript individuals other than their own employees during peacetime.
