BFI and BAFTA Announce New Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Guidelines

Emma Watson is a vocal proponent of the new measures: BFI/YouTube

The British Film Institute (BFI) and BAFTA are joining forces to fight bullying and sexual harassment in the UK film industry. Deadline confirms that the two organizations have put together plans and recommendations to help combat mistreatment. Other orgs and high-profile figures including Emma Watson and “Doctor Who’s” Jodie Whittaker have already lent their support.

The recommendations, officially called the Eight Principles & Guidelines, stress the BFI and BAFTA’s commitment to inclusivity and dignity for all individuals. They stipulate that there will be zero tolerance for bullying, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct.

According to Watson, the Eight Principles & Guidelines have been drafted to specifically address the film industry’s unique workplace culture. They reflect “what it’s like to work strange, unsociable hours,” she detailed. “I hope these principles become second nature for everyone,” The “Beauty and the Beast” star said. “They are not just about protecting individuals but are also an important step in embracing a greater diversity of voices — and eventually having an entertainment industry that actually represents the world we live in.”

The BFI and BAFTA are also starting a support hotline for those working in TV and film, which will be run by the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. They are also pushing for each production to designate two workers — a man and a woman — whom the cast and crew can turn to with issues and claims. Overall, the orgs are striving to “ensure workers understand their rights, and know how to seek help and support,” Deadline notes.

Other individuals lending their support to the new protocol include actresses Gemma Arterton (“Their Finest”), and Gemma Chan (“Humans”), and producers Barbara Broccoli (James Bond franchise), Alison Owen (“Suffragette”), and Rebecca O’Brien (“I, Daniel Blake”).

“In our industry we absolutely need to stamp out any abuse of power,” O’Brien commented, “and these principles provide a starting point for doing that. It’s essential for us to be pro-active in terms of confronting bullying and harassment and to change the culture so that all our workers feel safe and secure.”

“The principles enshrine what should be obvious — that’s what makes them so important,” Owen added. “It’s vital to use this key moment in our culture to make things concrete and tangible, so there can be absolutely no doubt that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated. I hope the Principles will contribute to making people feel safer and more secure in the workplace.”

Word of the BFI and BAFTA’s new guidelines comes only a few days after SAG-AFTRA introduced its Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment. The code defines sexual harassment and outlines the Four Pillars of Change, standards for how SAG-AFTRA will fight the culture of harassment. Other organizations to release codes of conduct specifically concerning sexual harassment include the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and Screen Australia.

See Watson’s discussion of the Eight Principles & Guidelines in the video below. The Eight Principles & Guidelines themselves are also included.

The Eight Principles & Guidelines:

1. Everyone is responsible for creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace that is positive and supportive.
2. We recognise that harassment may be unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
3. Those of us who are employers accept our responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
4. We do not tolerate bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, and will ensure that processes are in place for the reporting and investigation of these serious issues.
5. We recognise that bullying and harassment can have significant adverse impacts on the productivity, long-term health and well-being of affected people and we will work to eradicate them. This will mean providing adequate protection for complainants and victims, and, where bullying or harassment is found to have occurred, taking appropriate action against bullies or harassers.
6. We value inclusivity, appreciate difference, welcome learning from others, and consider people equal without prejudice or favour. We build relationships based on mutual respect. We will all work to give and receive feedback in a constructive way, which we know will improve creativity and productivity.
7. We understand that reporting bullying or harassment can be intimidating. We will respect confidentiality where possible and aim to make the process of reporting clear and straightforward. If anyone comes forward to report behaviour which might amount to bullying or harassment, we will endeavor to investigate objectively. Individuals who have made complaints of bullying and harassment or participate in good faith in any investigation should not suffer any form of reprisal or victimisation as a result.
8. We will respect each other’s dignity, regardless of the seniority of our role in an organization.