Equity, the UK performing arts and entertainment union, has published a declaration of commitment against bullying, harassment and inappropriate behavior on television.
The statement is drawn up by 21 leading UK and international organisations, including AMC, Apple TV+, BBC, The Casting Directors’ Guild, Channel 4, Channel 5, The Co-operative Personal Management Association, Disney, Equity, HBO, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators , ITV Studios, Northern Ireland Screen, Pact, Paramount, Personal Managers Association, S4C, Screen Scotland, Sky, TAC and Warner Bros.
Equity has called for these organizations to come together and together they are committed to creating a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect – and bullying and harassment are not tolerated – with prompt responses to all issues raised and actions taken.
Concretely, this means the creation of safe casting and audition spaces, where standards for professional recruitment will be adopted and auditions carried out in suitable work spaces; and producers will have clear policies on respect in the workplace, which include a process for raising and addressing concerns and complaints of bullying and harassment.
In addition, information will be shared with cast and crew on how concerns can be raised if they are victimized or see inappropriate behavior, for example, information on call sheets and posted in areas common areas, access to hotlines and whistleblowers, and backup contact details for each production; and anti-bullying and harassment training will be completed by cast and crew before they begin work.
In addition, a back-up contact: a senior member of the production team, properly trained, who can be contacted and who can proactively make the necessary adjustments, will be appointed; and for nudity and simulated sex acts, notification will be given in advance and in writing of the scope and extent of nudity and/or simulated sex requested, followed by discussion and agreement with the artist. For scenes of an intimate nature, an intimacy coordinator will be hired if acceptable to the actors involved.
Lynda Rooke, President of Equity, said: “On behalf of every artist who has experienced bullying and harassment in their professional on-screen life, I salute this commitment from industry representatives to create a safe work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. But building an inclusive and respectful culture takes actions, not just words, and I encourage everyone working in this sector to recognize their individual responsibility to report inappropriate behavior and to come together against any pressure to keep silence on these issues.
