The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) has launched what it has called its “six demands”, which aim to help combat bullying and harassment in the film and TV industry. The six demands, which address production companies, broadcasters and studios, seek to establish a zero-tolerance culture towards bullying and harassment in the industry and bring about lasting change.
Head of Bectu, Philippa Childs, said: “Broadcasters, production companies and studios must put their money where their mouth is in the fight against bullying and harassment and implement real measures that will lead to long-lasting change. Bectu’s six demands provide a blueprint for how the industry can tackle this endemic issue and assure workers in film and TV that their complaints will be taken seriously.”
The first demand calls for intimacy coordinators to be hired to oversee consent and help to ensure safe practices during intimate scenes. The second demand concerns having safeguarding officers present on set in order to log and direct concerns and to provide support to help prevent misconduct. These officers, Bectu says, should have training regarding bullying and harassment in the workplace, as well as knowledge of policy on the production.
The third demand is for training on “Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, equal opportunities and relevant workplace policies” for all staff, including freelancers and new entrants, ahead of production beginning. Heads of Departments, meanwhile, should also be encouraged to take training on leadership and management, Bectu says.
Demand four is for “clear and enforceable contractual obligations” which help to ensure dignity at work for all staff and freelancers. The fifth demand is for a policy for processing bullying and harassment. complaints, with clear avenues to resolutions. Finally, the sixth demand calls for an external reporting body to be established to look into outstanding, unresolved historical claims and complaints.
Bectu’s #UnseenOnScreen campaign, which was introduced to raise awareness of bullying and harassment in the industry, aims to show that harassment and bullying in the film and TV remain prevalent. Despite the campaign’s progress, Bectu says it is still receiving calls on a weekly basis about poor behaviour on set, showing that work remains to be done.
