In December 2023, several employees at Volvo trucks in Umeå stepped forward and testified about rough jargon among older employees, hierarchies, special treatment – and sexual harassment.
It was the youth committee at Volvo trucks that, through a survey, shed light on the problems.
Now they have been appointed this year’s trade union heroes by LO.
– It feels great fun, says Hedvig Näslund, one of the members of the youth committee
– Unreal too. It really feels completely insane. But it’s great that our work has been noticed, says colleague Veronica Reian.
The testimonies among the employees
Hedvig Näslund, 22, Veronica Reian, 23, and Eveline Sahlén, 25, are part of the youth committee.
There had been whispers among the staff for a long time, and it was decided to send out a survey to find out what was actually going on.
The result?
– Worrying, but not surprising, notes Hedvig Näslund.
– For example, that they have been picked on by a colleague during an after-work session, received strange comments at the workplace, inappropriate compliments, unwelcome phone calls and messages, says Eveline Sahlén.
With more.
A man wrote in a text message to a female colleague that he gets “a seven-man tent in the bralla”, and that “the blanket stands straight up”, from looking at pictures of her. Furthermore, the man urged her to keep quiet. “Surely I can trust you?”, he asked. Despite the woman repeatedly speaking out, the man continued to write.
Another woman had been asked to “stretch herself so that her breasts are visible”.
– We who work on the “floor” were not too surprised by the result. You have still heard rumors and people have talked about this jargon being at Volvo. But those not working on the floor were more shocked that it looked so bad. Then you were saddened that this is actually a reality. It’s not just something we’ve heard about, says Veronica Reian.
Four of the award winners. From left: Jenny Viklund, Veronica Reian, Hedvig Näslund and Eveline Sahlén.
Photo: LO/Clara Dagh
It’s happening at Volvo now
Seven out of ten stated that they know someone who has been subjected to sexual harassment. And that one experiences a widespread culture of silence. What shocked Hedvig Näslund and Veronica Reian the most was that there is a concrete fear among colleagues that this could actually happen to them.
They presented the survey results to the management in April 2023. But nothing happened, they felt. It was only after Västerbotten-Kuriren’s disclosure in December that something “concrete” happened, according to Hedvig Näslund, Eveline Sahlén and Veronica Reian.
– Now, at the last meeting we had, they presented a “roadmap”, a plan for the year. It still looked good. They had taken our suggestions for solutions to heart. After that, it felt like now things will happen, says Veronica Reian.
The youth committee feels that the colleagues on the “floor” think it is positive that problems have been brought to light.
The Youth Committee’s proposal
■ Extended group meetings.
■ External lectures.
■ Workshops together with companies that work with education and these issues.
– They have contacted a company here in Umeå. They will have a program for all groups for a few weeks this spring. At least that’s what they planned. We have intended to start with all leaders and our managers and then all employees, says Veronica Reians.
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Volvo’s answer
The hope now is that this work doesn’t just stop in Umeå, but can make waves nationally and in other workplaces.
– Yes, it is our hope that this will spread and that we will work on issues like this. It feels incredibly important and right on time and not a day too late, says Eveline Sahlén.
– No one should have to go to work and be exposed to harassment or offensive discrimination or be worried that it will happen to them. You must be safe at work and feel safe all the time, says Veronica Reian.
Volvo trucks in Umeå confirm that the work is underway, and that they are proud of their colleagues’ efforts in this matter.
– This is an issue where we and the trade union parties are in complete agreement. The systematic work is a work where we also have close cooperation, and in order to get better, we also need to be open to opinions. We have strengthened the work and are keen that our colleagues feel secure that the efforts we make have a long-term effect, says communications manager Elisabeth Lundell.
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Tags: revealed sexual harassment Volvo Sweden
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