Swedish discrimination law
All universities and colleges must work to counteract discrimination and promote equal rights and opportunities within their operations. This work is described in the Discrimination Act and is referred to as active measures. This includes, for example, preventing sexual harassment and facilitating the combination of studies and parenthood for students.
Grounds for Discrimination
Within Swedish discrimination law, discrimination is defined as being treated worse than others in the same situation due to any of the seven grounds for discrimination:
- Gender
- Gender identity or expression
- Ethnicity
- Age
- Disability (accessibility)
- Religion or other beliefs
- Sexual orientation
Discrimination
In Swedish discrimination law, discrimination includes:
- Direct discrimination
- Indirect discrimination
- Inadequate accessibility
- Harassment
- Sexual harassment
- Instructions to discriminate
Active Measures
Active measures, like the prohibitions against discrimination, aim to prevent and counteract discrimination. The prohibitions against discrimination are meant to counteract specific discriminatory acts in individual cases. Active measures are also meant to prevent students and applicants from facing discrimination—or otherwise having limited opportunities—at universities on a general and structural level. Working with active measures should be an ongoing process and include all seven grounds for discrimination.
DO's Requirements for Work with Active Measures
Work with active measures should occur continuously in four steps: investigate, analyze, take action, and follow up and evaluate. It should be an ongoing process.
For Employers
In short, employers are responsible for counteracting discrimination and promoting equal rights and opportunities within their organization. Active measures involve both preventing discrimination and promoting equal rights and opportunities regardless of the grounds for discrimination across five areas:
- Working conditions
- Provisions and practices regarding salaries and other employment
- Recruitment and promotion conditions
- Education and other competence development
- Opportunities to combine work and parenthood
A key task is also to prevent harassment, sexual harassment, and reprisals.
For Education Providers (Universities)
Universities should work with active measures in five areas:
- Admission and recruitment
- Examinations and assessments
- Study environment
- Studies and parenthood
- Teaching methods and organization