For employers, VAB presents obvious challenges in terms of disrupting planned projects or rotas. But it’s still popular with businesses, since it enables companies to attract and retain a diverse workforce, says Catharina Bäck, a researcher at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, which represents 60,000 companies. She argues VAB is one of the factors behind Sweden having the highest employment rate for women in the EU, since it makes it easier for them to remain in the workforce while caring for young children. “The parental leave and insurance system – including VAB – together with childcare are essential prerequisites for both parents to combine working life with family life”.