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Bullying, Harassment & Sexual Harassment

Bullying and harassment are unacceptable behaviours that can make someone feel intimidated, offended, humiliated or unsafe.

Bullying is unwanted behaviour that is offensive, intimidating, malicious, insulting, or an abuse of power that undermines or harms another person.

Harassment is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 where unwanted conduct relates to a protected characteristic and has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Bullying and harassment can be: intentional or unintentional; a one-off incident or repeated behaviour; directed at an individual or group; carried out by colleagues, managers, freelancers, contractors, clients or customers; in person, by phone, email, messaging apps, social media or other online platforms; during work, business travel, work-related events or social occasions.
 

Who This Guidance
Applies To

This guidance applies to everyone working for, with or on behalf of the organisation, regardless of employment status, contract type, seniority, location or working pattern.

  • employees, workers and casual or temporary staff
  • freelancers, contractors, consultants, contributors and anyone engaged on a project, production, event or assignment
  • managers, senior leaders, board members, trustees, volunteers, interns, trainees and apprentices
  • people working remotely, on location, on set, in offices, at venues, during travel, at industry events or at work-related social occasions
  • third parties who interact with the organisation or its people, including clients, customers, suppliers, partners, agents, visitors and audience members where relevant.


Examples

  • shouting, threats, intimidation or aggressive behaviour
  • humiliating, ridiculing or belittling someone
  • spreading rumours or malicious gossip
  • offensive jokes, teasing or inappropriate banter
  • excluding individuals from meetings or opportunities
  • unreasonable workloads or unrealistic deadlines
  • constant criticism or micromanagement
  • racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
  • cyberbullying through email, messaging or social media.

Sexual
Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Examples include: sexual jokes, comments or innuendo; unwanted flirting or advances; unwelcome physical contact; sharing sexual images or messages; requests for sexual favours; offering benefits or making threats linked to sexual advances.

Sexual harassment can occur regardless of gender or sexual orientation and may be committed by employees, managers, clients, customers or other third parties.


Employer
Responsibilities

Employers have a duty to provide a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. Since 26th October 2024, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023. This includes assessing risks, providing training, promoting appropriate workplace behaviour, and having clear reporting and investigation procedures in place. Further guidance for employers on preventing sexual harassment can be found on the ACAS website.

We do not tolerate bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or victimisation. Everyone is responsible for treating others with dignity and respect and for helping to create a positive working environment.


CIISA

The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is the industry-funded and Government-endorsed independent standards authority for the UK creative industries.

The CIISA Standards
The industry-endorsed CIISA Standards set out industry-wide behavioural standards for safe, inclusive and accountable working environments. Productions commissioned by the BBC and ITV are now required to align with the CIISA Standards and the BAFTA Rulebooks for Film (British categories), Television and Television Craft Awards require entrants to declare if productions were committed to consistently safe and inclusive working environments in alignment with the Standards

CIISA Registration
Organisations that register with CIISA receive the CIISA Registration Mark, which they can display to demonstrate their commitment to the CIISA Standards.

CIISA Confidential Reporting Service
In October 2026, CIISA launched a first-stage independent whistleblowing portal. It is focused on confidential reporting, immediate signposting and building insight. CIISA will analyse reports to identify patterns in harmful behaviours and accountability gaps across the creative industries rather than resolving individual cases. This centralised, real-time data will inform evidence-based recommendations to industry and policymakers, as well as future development of the service.
 

Useful
Links