Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q3 2017 Global Guide Quarterly updates

Swedish Labor Court Grants Interim Injunction for Unlawful Industrial Actions

Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency

Author: Anna Jerndorf, Partner — Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB

After a dispute over changes in the terms and conditions of the employment, employees of RenoNorden AB, a waste disposal company, started a so-called “wild” strike, in spite of the collective bargaining agreement that requires “industrial peace.” The trade union, Transportarbetareförbundet, did not support the strike. In a lawsuit against the union and various employees, on July 14, 2017, the Labor Court issued an interim injunction holding that all employees without a doctor’s certificate were participating in an unlawful industrial action and obligated to return to work immediately. RenoNorden AB has also claimed damages of SEK 5,000 from each of the employees, which will be tried by the court in October.

Swedish Labor Court Grants Interim Injunction for Breach of Non-Compete

Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency

Author: Anna Jerndorf, Partner — Advokatfirman Törngren Magnell KB

An employee who had resigned accepted a job offer from a competing company. Based on a contractual non-compete clause imposing a 12-month restriction, the employer applied for an interim injunction. In ruling for the employer, the Labor Court found that the employee had access to company-specific knowledge that the company had a legitimate interest in protecting and that the clause was reasonable, especially given that the employee was well- compensated. The interim injunction was accompanied by a fine of SEK 500,000 in case of non-compliance.