What action can I take?
Experienced or witnessed bullying?
Anti-Bullying Directory
Am I being bullied?
How can I support my mental health?
What can I do to support others?
How do I prevent others from being bullied?
How can I join an industry-wide movement for change?
If you are being bullied the idea of taking further action can feel too overwhelming to navigate on your own. It's easy for this behaviour to become accepted as 'the way things are.' But support is available. Even if you aren't comfortable making a formal report, there are things you can do to regain control and support yourself and others.
Seeking advice at work
Depending on your situation, experts advise that the first step is to try and seek informal help and guidance at work. This could be talking to someone you trust and feel comfortable with. There are often designated individuals on a production or at an organisation who you can speak to.
Taking the first step towards talking things through with another person can help you stop ruminating on an issue and feeling powerless.
Resources to help you seek informal support at work
This guide suggests who you might speak to in your workplace, and provides guidance on preparing for an informal meeting
When there is a dispute between 2 or more people (or groups), it can be helpful to have a neutral party involved in finding a resolution. This covers Mediation at work and how it can help
BFI, in partnership with BAFTA
This includes guidance for employees and freelancers, plus a simple list of steps you can take that covers both informal and informal action
The Guardians programme trains staff to offer a confidential outlet for colleagues to share concerns about behaviour at work. Check whether your employer is signed up to the network.
Making a formal complaint at work
If you attempt to address the situation informally and it doesn't help, you might want to move forward with making a formal complaint at work.
All organisations should have a policy in place for this purpose so it's worth checking this with your employer when you join a company, or at the start of a production.
Resources to help with making a formal complaint
This step-by-step guide to raising a formal grievance includes downloadable examples of procedures, a legal guide, plus information about mediation
The Film and TV Charity
The new digital recording tool can help you process and make sense of your thoughts, as well keep an accurate record of events. This can be invaluable when preparing for a meeting or making a formal report
Writers' Guild of Great Britain
This survey is designed to capture writers' experiences within the creative industries, to help WGGB build a picture of current practice and raise headline issues in anonymised and collated form with broadcasters, producers or other relevant bodies.
Taking action outside the workplace
If you are uncomfortable seeking advice at your place of work, there could be an industry body that can support you. Legal action might be something you wish to pursue further – especially if your experience is covered by the Equality Act. This is often a last resort, as it can be a lengthy and stressful process.
Resources for taking action outside of your workplace
The first professional service of its kind in the industry, for those who have experienced or witnessed bullying. It will provide independent, confidential and personalised support over the phone.
Directors UK
It could be difficult to work out if you are being bullied. If you're a member of Directors UK, or feel you've been bullied by a member, call 0207 240 0009 for help with appropriate next steps, with impartial guidance, in confidence
Bectu
If you're a Bectu member you can call 020 7346 0900 for further information on bullying and harassment. They also advise members and representatives on how to deal with the problems you're experiencing
This guide gives an overview of equal opportunities at work, legal rights and possible steps to take if pursuing legal action
If your can't resolve things at work you might be able to pursue a Personal Injury claim or claim to an employment tribunal. Find out when this might be appropriate and how to access legal advice
If someone pursuing a legal claim on the basis of race discrimination/harassment isn't eligible for legal aid, the EASS can point them towards an appropriate lawyer. The lawyer can then apply to this new pot of money to help pay for their legal costs.
If you're experiencing bullying or trying to prevent it in the workplace, one way to feel empowered is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. You may want to test your knowledge and thinking around the subject, plus apply it to real-life situations you've been in. This is when training and courses can be really beneficial.
Available industry training and courses
30 min e-learning module designed to help you recognise and address harassment and bullying behaviours in yourself and others
Our free online mental health community gives you access to online courses such as 'Assertiveness Training' which covers communication techniques, managing anger and conflict
This free e-learning module can be completed in your own time. It will help you understand unconscious bias and how it can impact behaviour
BIFA
For interactive training, BIFA, supported by ScreenSkills, runs 90 min zoom webinars roughly once a month. They have run bespoke sessions for Sky News, BFI and BAFTA
Are there any resources out there that we've missed? Or any information that would be useful to you that we can share in the future? Get in touch [email protected]