Benefits and health

When you are on parental leave with parental benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), SMHI provides supplementary compensation. This means you receive up to 90 percent of your salary. You are also entitled to partial parental leave of up to 25 percent of your working hours until the child turns 12 years old.

For child care, you receive temporary parental benefits from Försäkringskassan. As a government employee, you get supplementary compensation for up to 10 days per year on income exceeding the basic amount limit.

As an employee at SMHI, you have some flexibility to influence your own employment terms. Through individual agreements, also known as salary exchange, you and your immediate manager can agree on certain modifications to your employment conditions:

• Exchange salary for pension
• Exchange saved vacation days for pension
• Exchange vacation days for salary
• Exchange salary for vacation

Trust-based working hours at SMHI are founded on a high level of trust between the manager and the employee, where both parties care about both the organization’s requirements and the individual’s needs. The focus with trust-based working hours is on the results of the work rather than when the work is performed. The main purpose is not to increase or decrease an individual employee's working hours, but to enhance flexibility. The planning and scheduling of work are adjusted to the organization’s conditions and requirements while meeting the employee’s needs. While most of the work time is spent at the office, there is flexibility to work from other locations when it suits the organisation.

Since SMHI operates 24/7, we also have shift workers. Similar to other work arrangements at SMHI, shift work is based on a high level of trust between the manager and the employee, where both parties are attentive to both the organization’s needs and the individual's needs.

Instead of reduced working hours during major holidays, those who work under the trust-based working hours agreement are entitled to three days off, known as "bridging days", per calendar year. These days essentially function as vacation days, but without the vacation day supplement, and you can take them when it suits you and the organisation.

There are occasions when you are entitled to take leave without loss of pay, such as in the event of a death and funeral within your immediate family, during a move, for union representative duties, and for medical appointments.

During Sick Days 1-14, SMHI pays sick pay, which corresponds to 80% of your regular salary. From day 15, you receive sickness benefit from Försäkringskassan, but SMHI also provides an additional sickness benefit supplement to reduce income loss.

At SMHI, there are several clubs that offer opportunities for socialising and having fun with colleagues. Here are a few examples:

• SMHI Sports Club: With 21 sections, there is something for everyone. You can get involved as a participant or take on a larger role within one of the sections. The club also organises joint social activities several times a year.
• SMHI Art Club: One of Sweden's oldest workplace art clubs, with around 75 years of activity. The Art Club arranges exhibitions, excursions, lectures, and guided art tours, and holds an annual lottery for purchased artworks in a pleasant setting.
• SMHI Choir: Composed of singing enthusiasts among the staff, the choir meets to sing together and, at certain events, also entertains their colleagues.

In SMHI's facilities in Norrköping, there is an exercise hall and a private gym available every day. The exercise hall also hosts training sessions that all employees can participate in.

As an employee at SMHI, you receive a fitness reimbursement of 3,500 SEK per year, along with discounted rates at various wellness providers.

If you visit a doctor, undergo physiotherapy, receive medical treatment, need to stay in the hospital, or are prescribed prescription medications covered by the high-cost protection scheme, you may receive partial reimbursement for these expenses from SMHI. The expenses are subject to benefit taxation.

You are insured through SMHI, including:

• Occupational accident insurance: Covers you in case of an accident at work, while commuting, or if you develop a work-related illness.
• Outplacement insurance: If you become redundant or are laid off due to changes and budget cuts in the public sector, you will receive help and support to transition to another job.
• Group life insurance: In the event of your death, your family may receive insurance benefits.

You are entitled to vacation from your very first year of employment. The number of vacation days depends on your age, based on a full calendar year. You are entitled to:

• 28 vacation days up until the year you turn 29
• 31 vacation days starting from the year you turn 30
• 35 vacation days starting from the year you turn 40

As a government employee, you receive an occupational pension in addition to the general pension. You can also exchange salary or saved vacation days for additional pension benefits.

''SMHI – My Benefits" is a web-based portal for employees at SMHI. Here, you gain access to a range of discounts and offers from various retail chains, hotels, and entertainment options.