October: News from Ingenjören in English

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Chalmers: “Flexible pension and security clearance are the most important changes”

On September 30, the new agreements for the state sector were finalized. One of those involved in the agreement is Peter Hellqvist, chair of Engineers of Sweden at Chalmers.

– One thing that has been important throughout the negotiations is the provision for flexible pension, which we want to get up to 2 percent. Now we have come some way, to 1.7 percent.

The flexible pension allows you to choose to retire earlier and get a better pension than you would have received without it, or continue working and instead get an extra high pension.

One of the news in the agreement regards those who fail a security clearance and lose their job because of it. From now on, the employer can report that they will receive transition support, which has not been possible before. And Peter Hellqvist at Chalmers says that this is something that clearly makes a difference.

– Sometimes a missed security clearance means that you are not allowed to continue on your job. I think that it’s very good that you can now get some support. For individuals who end up in such a situation, it has a great value.

Something else that is new is that the employer now has the right to offer career support to employees who are dismissed for personal reasons. 

Another change that affects Chalmers and Jönköping University, with the Jönköping Institute of Technology, is that they now have the opportunity to have associate senior lecturers, a position that qualifies them to become a senior university lecturer.

– For associate senior lecturers, it means a lot, and for the research community. According to the new agreement, associate senior lecturers have the right to review and reconsideration when they apply for senior lecture. As local unions, we need to ensure that this process is perceived as transparent and legally secure.

Read the entire article in Swedish: Facket på Chalmers: ”Flexpension och säkerhetsprövning viktigaste ändringarna”

Unemployment among engineers reaches pandemic levels

In August, unemployment for engineers was 1.7 percent. During the spring and summer, unemployment figures have risen and the figure is now at the same level as during the pandemic.

The increase can be noted in all groups regardless of age, educational background, gender and where in the country you live. This indicates that we are dealing with a recession and a general deterioration in the labor market. 

However, there is one group that stands out – engineers with a bachelor in construction. This is the only group where unemployment has decreased since August last year. 

One group that may be interesting to keep an eye on is engineers working in data, electronics and automation. Here, unemployment was the lowest among all groups two years ago. Since then, unemployment has increased significantly.

– This is a group that works closer to the technological shift which means that they can be affected by the transition to AI. Perhaps they will not return to the low unemployment figures they had before, says Albert Ohlin at Engineers of Sweden.

Albert Ohlin also believes that the unemployment figures might increase further during the autumn.

– The expected turnaround has been postponed several times. Companies have held back and waited with measures, but now we are starting to see the real effect of the recession. 

Read the entire article in Swedish: Arbetslösheten bland ingenjörer når pandemisiffror

Is it still worth changing jobs?

Change jobs and increase your salary. The old truth got a real blow when Dagens Nyheter presented a survey earlier this autumn. It showed that there is almost no difference in salary development between those who have changed jobs and those who have stayed with their old employer.

– I think the survey is painted too black-and-white. Our own statistics show that it is still profitable to change jobs. Those who change jobs often get better salary development, says Camilla Frankelius, head of negotiations at Engineers of Sweden.

According to Engineers of Sweden’s salary statistics for 2024, salary increases were approximately twice as high for those who changed workplaces or positions compared to those who stayed.

But the difference in salary development between those who changed jobs and those who stayed has nevertheless decreased. Whether this is a trend or not is too early to tell, but Camilla Frankelius sees several possible explanations.

– We are in a low-intensity recession that has been going on for a long time now. At the same time, several large employers have made substantial cuts, which means that many engineers are entering the labor market at once. This may have affected the salaries of those who change jobs, but we have not yet documented this with figures, she explains.

Now, when the economy is tough, how can I argue for my salary?

– There is no reason to think differently. You should be paid for your skills and assume that employers pay well. Changing jobs, internally or to another employer, is still the best way to increase your salary, reminds Camilla Frankelius.

Read the entire article in Swedish: Lönar det sig fortfarande att byta jobb?

Gaming companies want collective agreements adapted to the industry

Two major gaming companies, Avalanche Studios and Paradox, have signed a collective agreement with Engineers of Sweden. But many other gaming companies are still hesitant. In Malmö, Massive Entertainment and Sharkmob have formed a working group to try to design an agreement that will suit the entire industry. 

– We saw a common need to discuss these issues, the challenges and needs are often the same regardless of studio, says Thomas Andrén, CEO of Massive Entertainment.

Some of the issues being discussed are overtime pay and flexible working hours. Another is credit when publishing games.

– There are lots of things that are handled from company to company today, but this is a real industry now, with a lot of employees. It’s time for us to get these issues under control, says Fredrik Rundqvist, CEO at Sharkmob .

Massive and Sharkmob felt it was worth investigating whether they could create something new where the issues specific to the gaming industry are regulated from the start. It would also contribute to greater coordination within the industry.

Which employer organization Massive and Sharkmob ultimately choose remains to be seen. According to Erik Rundqvist at Sharkmob, the design is likely to be found somewhere between industry and media.

– We often live with the same premises as media companies, such as absolute deadlines, he explains. At the same time, our production is more reminiscent of traditional industry, where you sometimes have to rearrange an entire line to meet a deadline. We also have a company structure and volume of employees more similar to industry, with longer projects and more permanent employees.

Read the entire article in Swedish: Kollektivavtal för spelbolag

Lower compensation from income insurance

On October 1, the terms of income insurance from Engineers of Sweden was changed. The reason is the changes in the new unemployment insurance law that the income insurance must follow.

The highest compensation from a-kassan (the unemployment insurance fund) is, as before, 80 percent of SEK 34,000 before tax, that is SEK 27,200. But only for the first 100 days. After that, the compensation level will be reduced to 70 percent and after another 100 days it will be reduced to 65 percent. 

The changes also affect the income insurance from Engineers of Sweden:

• The income insurance, together with a-kassan, provides up to 80 percent of your previous income before tax for the first 100 days, for salaries up to SEK 100,000.
• After October 1, the compensation level has reduced from 80 to 70 percent for day 101-150, in the same way as a-kassan.

It is possible to sign supplementary insurance that is valid for longer than 150 days and for an income higher than SEK 100,000 per month, but it will also be reduced in the same way as a-kassan.

The regulations regarding when you are entitled to a-kassan have also changed. From now on it is based on income and the time you have been a member of a-kassan. 

Therefore, Engineers of Sweden have decided on two new requirements for income insurance:

• You must have been a member of a-kassan for at least 12 months. 
• Akademikernas a-kassa must have granted you 300 compensation days, which requires an income of at least SEK 11,000 per month for the last 11-12 months.

For students and recent graduates, there will be no difference in practice. Both before and after the change in rules, the time as a student member counts as qualifying time.  Income insurance also applies to members who are entrepreneurs.

Read the entire article in Swedish: Lägre ersättning från inkomstförsäkringen från 1 oktober

“I have a non-compete clause – now it feels impossible to change jobs”

The advice service at Engineers of Sweden receives many questions about non-compete clauses. Heléne Robson, Chief Legal Officer at Engineers of Sweden, answers some of the most common questions.

Can I negotiate away a non-compete clause? 

Non-competition clauses are contractual provisions that restrict employees from working for a competitor for a period of time after the employment has ended. 

When you receive an employment contract with a non-compete clause, it is important to understand what it will mean on the day you want to change employers. Heléne Robson believes that you should raise the issue with your employer before signing. 

– It is unlikely that you can negotiate away the clause, but it is possible to negotiate the terms. It happens that employers agree to changes.

What are reasonable terms in a non-compete clause?

For a non-compete clause to be reasonable, you must have duties and a position in the company that entails a risk of the employer being financially harmed if you start working for a competitor.

– Engineers who work with research and development must generally accept a non-compete clause. It is also entirely reasonable if you are given access to trade secrets or strategic business plans. But many engineers do not have information that could harm the company financially if they were to end up with another employer.

Where is the line for competing businesses? Does it apply to the entire industry or just the main competitors?

– It is difficult to give a general answer, it will be a question of assessment for each individual case. It depends on your role in the company and how much information you have about tasks that are competitively sensitive.

Does the non-compete clause apply on my new job?

It can be sensitive to tell your employer that you have applied for another job. But what if you don’t know whether the non-compete clause covers the position you have applied for? 

– Our advice is to be transparent and honest with your employer about these issues. If the employer considers it to be competing activities, it is still possible to negotiate the terms. 

What can happen if I don’t tell?

– If you violate a non-competition clause, you may have to pay high damages. If there is a penalty in the clause, the employer does not even have to prove financial damage. 

How will the new employer react?

Some members who contact the advice service feel anxious about telling their new employer about the clause. 

– Our advice is to always be honest with your new employer too. If your previous employer demands damages and you contradict it, the matter will end up in court. It is an unpleasant situation for both you and your new employer.

Can Akademikerföreningen at the workplace provide support regarding non-compete clauses?

– These are difficult legal issues and therefore it is better to talk to the advice service at Engineers of Sweden. 

Read the entire article in Swedish: ”Jag har en konkurrensklausul – nu känns det omöjligt att byta jobb”