Marvin OnumonuBullying, harassment and discrimination remain widespread in UK film, TV and cinema, according to the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass 2024 Deep Dive.
The report found 32% of people had experienced bullying or harassment in the past year, and 19% faced discrimination.
In total, 41% dealt with at least one of these issues.
Additionally, the report found 53% of those targeted did not report incidents.
Managers were named as the source by 74% of people who experienced bullying or harassment.
42% of respondents did not believe that their workplace would act on reports, regardless of who the perpetrator was.
27% who saw a colleague report this behaviour felt unequipped to respond.
Bullying and harassment was reported by 40% of disabled people, 39% of neurodivergent people, 38% of those caring for adult dependants, 36% of Black and global majority respondents, 36% of LGBTQ+ respondents, 35% of women and 52% of Hindus, 43% of Buddhists and 42% of Muslims.
Nearly half (46%) of Black and global majority respondents from working-class backgrounds reported bullying or harassment.
Both managers and non-managers said a confidential, independent reporting body would help tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination.
The charity is working closely with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) ahead of its full launch.
Jen Smith, CEO of CIISA, said: “The failure to grasp this problem has significant economic consequences; workplace conflict leads to a staggering £1.8 billion in lost productivity and growth each year in the UK’s creative industries and impacts around 700,000 people.
“CIISA exists to close the damaging accountability gap that has persisted for too long in our creative sector.
“The Film and TV Charity’s work in uncovering and addressing the devastating human cost of bullying, harassment, and discrimination in the screen industries is vital and we are grateful for their valuable partnership, as we work towards our shared aims through our distinctive roles.”
Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, said: “We’ve timed the publication of this latest Looking Glass Deep Dive for Bullying Awareness Week so that it can serve as a call to action – not just for policymakers and industry leaders, but for everyone working in film and TV.
“The culture of silence the report highlights must end, informal hierarchies must be challenged, and the belief that change is impossible must give way to the conviction that it can – and is – happening.”
