UK Theatre and SOLT are coordinating industry-wide activity to ensure that we respond positively and responsibly to the issue of sexual harassment and abuses of power in the theatre industry.
We will support members, and the industry, to share and develop policies and practices that mean theatre is a safe and supportive working environment for everyone.
It is vital that many voices from across the industry contribute to these conversations, so that lasting and meaningful change can take place.
We will hold a series of open forum events across the country as opportunities to share and learn from best practice across the industry, and to contribute your views. If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please click the links below.
Book for open forum events
- Wednesday 10 January or Friday 12 January between 2 – 4pm at 32 Rose Street, London – click here to book.
- Wednesday 14 February between 2 – 4pm at Birmingham Hippodrome – click here to book.
Dates of further sessions across the country will be announced. Please let us know if you are able to host an event.
Other industry bodies, including ITC and the Federation of Scottish Theatre will be involved.
- All members should consider their dignity at work policies. Ensure that you have clear, up-to-date procedures in place which are appropriate for your organisation, adhere to applicable legal principles and have been communicated to your teams. This is important so that individuals know how to raise these types of issues and management know how to handle matters raised in a sensitive and appropriate manner with regard to all concerned. We will issue guidance to support you in doing this so that you can tailor your approach for your organisation or production.
- SOLT members and UK Theatre Organisation Members - if individual issues arise please remember you have recourse to the Legal and Employment Relations services.
- A list of organisations and individuals with specialist skills to help deal with sensitive issues is here. We will keep this updated.
- We have scheduled Communications at a time of Crisis training for 15 January. You can book here. Our training programme in the future will be enhanced with new courses such as Developing Dignity at Work Policies.
- We have added a session on communications at a time of crisis to our Communications and Audiences conference on 23 November.
- This issue, and the SOLT and UK Theatre’s recent workforce review, has made it increasingly clear that freelance staff – who make up a significant proportion of the theatre workforce – should be better supported. SOLT and UK Theatre are committed to leading on an industry-wide initiative to develop that support and will take this work forward with other industry bodies, including ITC, One Dance UK, Equity and the Federation of Scottish Theatre.
UPDATE 11/12/17
We have now confirmed several open forum events across the country over the next 3 months and produced a checklist to support you in making sure you have clear, up-to-date policies and procedures for preventing and dealing with harassment and bullying. To see our forum dates, download the checklist and read our latest update, please click here.
Date Published: 14 November 2017
