New York – Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, has announced the creation of an anonymous hotline where members can report workplace harassment and bullying.
"This hotline is another outlet for members to anonymously report any kind of harassment or hostility in the workplace, even if they aren’t ready to bring formal charges," said Kate Shindle, President of Actors' Equity. “In addition to the hotline, of course, Equity members can always contact their business rep anytime for a confidential conversation about any problems they are having at work.”
Members can access the hotline by telephone at 833-550-0030 or at the website www.actorsequity.org/safety.
This hotline was recommended by the President’s Committee to Prevent Harassment. The Committee was formed last year to recommend forward-looking strategies to prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the theatre.
Actors' Equity increased efforts to prevent harassment and bullying starting in 2016, when Equity partnered with The Actors Fund to develop a program to help Equity staff respond to members who had questions or complaints about harassment.
Since then, Equity has requested that all Equity employers provide a copy of their own harassment policies to the union, as well as make those policies available to Equity members at the first rehearsal and throughout their employment under an Equity contract. Equity now has hundreds of policies on file as a resource for members, and staff are following up with employers who have not yet sent a policy. In addition, Equity has provided additional staff training throughout the association and adopted a Code of Conduct – for elected officials and rank-and-file members – that is read aloud at activities, events and meetings.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its Members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. #EquityWorks.
May 22, 2019
###
