Sweden faces rising work-related illness and systemic challenges

In Sweden, rising work-related illnesses and complex social insurance regulations are creating significant challenges for employees in the care sector. Reports indicate that work-related illnesses increased by 30 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, with women disproportionately affected due to high workloads and intense pacing.

In municipalities like Motala, staff in healthcare and social services report high levels of stress and a constant state of readiness, often feeling unable to disconnect from work during their time off. Union representatives from Kommunal note that employees often feel pressured to cover shifts for absent colleagues, leading to a cycle of unsustainable working conditions.

Furthermore, the transition from sick leave to employment is complicated by the interaction between different government agencies. After 180 days of illness, Försäkringskassan may assess an individual's ability to work in the general labor market. This process requires coordination with Arbetsförmedlingen for job seeking and local municipalities for financial assistance. Critics argue that the lack of cohesion between these systems and the risk to sickness benefits may drive employees to work through pain and exhaustion to avoid financial instability.