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Table 2 Legal frameworks for the regulation of resident duty hours in Sweden

From: The Swedish duty hour enigma

 

European Union Working Time Directive[8]

Swedish Working Hours Act[9]

Collective Agreement (Swedish Medical Association and Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions)[10]

Weekly working hours

Working hours must not exceed an average of 48 per week, including overtime.

Working hours must not exceed an average of 40 per week, although if overtime is necessary a maximum total of 48 working hours is permitted.

 

Rest

A minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours in every 24 hours.

A minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours in every 24 hours.

 

Day/night working hours

Extra protection in the case of night work: average working hours must not exceed 8 hours per 24-hour period.

Extra protection in the case of night work: average working hours must not exceed 8 hours per 24-hour period.

Normal working hours are between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Working activities outside that time frame are considered to be overtime or on-call. Alternative and flexible agreements are possible.