Can you imagine being given time off to have sex? Yes, have sex and still get paid. This is exactly what is being proposed by Per-Erik Muskos, 42, a councilman from the small town of Övertorneå in Sweden.
He announced plans to give the municipality’s 550 employees paid time off to have sex. “There are studies that show sex is healthy,” Muskos explained, adding that couples in Sweden weren’t spending enough time together. “It’s about having better relationships.”
As in many developed countries, Sweden’s fertility rate has been gradually falling for the past several decades. In 1960, according to World Bank data, Swedish women had an average of 2.2 children – a rate scholars call “replacement fertility” as it tends to keep the population steady. But by 2014 the rate had fallen to 1.9 children per woman.
Övertorneå’s population has been dwindling for at least the past decade. Municipality data shows numbers have dropped from 5,229 in 2005 to 4,711 ten years later.
For Muskos, this would help grow the dwindling population and help improve the balance between work and fun.
Muskos also mentioned that sex can be a form of fitness, which we all need a little more of in our daily lives. In fact, according to Dr Gabrielle Morrissey, sex can help with immune function, fighting cancer, burning calories, heart health and sleep.
It’s safe to say that employees with all these attributes are likely to be more productive and contented in their jobs.
“I believe that sex is often in short supply. Everyday life is stressful and the children are at home,” Mr. Muskos said to the council. “This could be an opportunity for couples to have their own time, only for each other.”
We’re definitely not complaining. An hour of passion-filled exercise while getting paid would go down a treat.
There are some issues to be dealt with, however, including employees spending their dedicated ‘sex’ time doing other activities. The motion will go to a vote in spring and if the majority are a ‘yes’, we might just see the first paid-for employee sex break become a reality.
