Bullying and harassment

Our support is available to help you to understand your rights and what options you have if you’re experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination 
A woman is sat with her back to the camera. She is talking to another person who is sat facing her, paying attention to what she is saying.

Unfortunately, bullying, harassment, and discrimination are big issues in the film, TV, and cinema industry and are one of the main causes of poor mental health among its workers. Our 2019 Looking Glass Survey found:

80% of industry workers had experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment, or discrimination in the workplace

It can be difficult to identify or know how to respond to experiences of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. This is especially true when these behaviours are too often accepted as a normal’ part of the job or an organisation’s culture.

This guidance provides:

  • Information about what constitutes bullying, harassment, discrimination, and victimisation
  • Guidance on what you can do if you experience or witness bullying, harassment, or discrimination at work
  • Helpful resources for preventing and addressing bullying, harassment, and discrimination

Bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation

If you feel you’re being treated unfairly at work, it’s important to understand what type of treatment you’ve been subjected to as you have different legal rights depending on what you have experienced.

A small crew are set up in a bright, white studio. In the foreground, a director is standing whilst holding a walkie-talkie. In the background there is a camera operator sitting at the end of a camera crane awaiting direction.

Speak to our Bullying Adviser

Support is available through our Bullying Advice Service which can help you understand your rights whether you wish to report it or not, and what options you have, whether you wish to report it or not.

What you can do if you experience or witness bullying, harassment or discrimination at work

Important

Please, always remember that if you have experienced or witnessed any form of physical or sexual threat, harassment, abuse, or criminal activity, you should consider contacting the police as soon as possible.

Anyone who is concerned about bullying, harassment, or discrimination at work should make a record, and start creating a written log with details of the behaviour they are experiencing or witnessing.

This should include dates, times, a description of what occurred and a note of any witnesses. Documenting your experiences can be an enormously useful way of helping you understand what you’re going through and identifying patterns, as well as the seriousness of the behaviour. 

It’s also helpful to gather any other evidence of the behaviour by keeping copies of any relevant documentation (e.g. emails, phone messages, notes of calls etc). Having a record can help you recall and process what’s happened. It will also help you to present your case if you decide you want to take things further, for example, by sharing your concerns at work, or by reporting the behaviour. 

Two young colleagues are sat in an outdoor open space.

Reporting bullying, harassment, and discrimination

Everybody’s situation is different, but as a basic guide, these are the broad steps you can consider following if you wish to seek support or take action against bullying, harassment, or discrimination at work.

Know your rights

It’s important to know your legal and contractual rights. It doesn’t matter whether you are employed, self-employed or freelance, you still always have the right to a safe and harassment-free workplace, and your employer has a legal duty of care towards you. Visit the Citizens Advice website to find out more.

A young man is sat on a sofa. On his lap he has a laptop that he is attentively watching.

Talk to someone right now

If you need urgent support, our free and confidential 24-hour support line is here for you.

Call 0800 054 0000

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