Condescending ‘mansplaining’ to women triggers union hotline

Politicians and artists to answer phones in bid to tackle distasteful workplace behaviour

Mansplaining has driven one of Sweden’s largest trade unions to reach for the hotline. Photographs: Getty Images
Mansplaining has driven one of Sweden’s largest trade unions to reach for the hotline. Photographs: Getty Images

One of largest trade unions in an EU member state has launched a hotline for workers to complain about “mansplaining” – men explaining condescendingly to women – in a one-week initiative to highlight the problem.

Sweden’s Unionen, which has some 600,000 members in the private sector, said the hotline is aimed at “recognising and countering domination techniques like mansplaining in their workplaces”.

Politicians, artists and comedians will answer phones on the temporary hotline, which both men and women are invited to call.

Gender matters

Last week Stockholm city council caused a stir with its "gender-equal snow ploughing".

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Snow ploughs usually focus on clearing snow from city roads, which officials said benefited car drivers who were mostly men. The Stockholm initiative concentrated on clearing snow from pavements and cycle lanes - typically more used by women.

However, last Wednesday had one of the worst snowstorms for years in the city and the roads were chaotic, leading to heavy criticism from Swedes that the policy was a failure.

– (Reuters)