Q. I know that the union is doing a lot of work on sexual harassment. Can you give me some examples of that work?
A. Here are some examples of that work:
- Expanded our existing 24/7 safety hotline to include a specialized trauma line staffed by clinicians for those working in our jurisdiction who are experiencing, or who have suffered, sexual harassment or assault.
- Customized, in-person training for over 100 first- and rapid-responder staff across the organization including specialized assessment and intervention training for field reps.
- Achieved new provisions in our Commercials and Network Television Code contracts: explicit personal harassment protections and landmark language directly based on the first SAG-AFTRA sexual harassment code of conduct’s guideline calling for the end of auditions in hotels and private residences.
- Held dozens of education and empowerment events in LA, NYC, Chicago, Georgia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Detroit, and other locations.
- Hired expert staff on both coasts for intake and case management of harassment and discrimination complaints.
- Introduced a dedicated service offering confidential crisis and short-term supportive counseling, education on individual rights and legal avenues, referrals to related resources and, when needed, referrals for other clinical services. Created through a collaborative effort of SAG-AFTRA, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and the Actors Fund, which administers the program.
- Advocated for the passage of crucial legislation that enhances and strengthens sexual harassment city and state laws in California, New York, Hawaii and elsewhere.
- Sustained significant public policy efforts to go after tools of silence, expand the statute of limitations, allow independent contractors to sue, etc.
- Sponsored and supported legislation that bans image-based sexual abuse. Specifically, two current bills that go after nonconsensual digitized nudity and sex scenes (the modern day body doubling violation). Focused attention through the SAG-AFTRA podcast premiere episode: “Sexual Harassment, Have we Reached a Turning Point” and another in the first season: “Who Controls Your Rights: From Deepfakes to Resurrecting the Dead.”
- Continued work with the International Federation of Actors (FIA) Sexual Harassment Work Group in developing a global code of conduct and guidelines to protect actors wherever they work.
- Released the SAG-AFTRA Code of Conduct to the Actors Guild of India for their use as a template in developing sexual harassment provisions and industry standards for performers and others workers in the massive Indian film and television production business.
- Continued our collaboration with AFL-CIO leadership and affiliated partners to create best-practice recommendations for the protection of workers across industries and geographies.
- Advocated for global protections at the FIA executive conference in Tokyo, Japan. President and NED appeared on an expert panel on best practices in preventing sexual harassment. The conference, sponsored by the Japan Actors Union, hosted several hundred guests including ranking representatives from government, the entertainment industry, and performing artists organizations.
Q. Can you give me some specific examples of legislation that SAG-AFTRA sponsored or supported?
A. Below are several examples of recent legislation:
- Senate Bill 1300 (Jackson) prohibits an employer, in exchange for a raise or bonus, or as a condition of employment of continued employment, from requiring the execution of a release of a claim or right under FEHA or from requiring an employee to sign a non-disparagement agreement or other document that purports to deny the employee the right to disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment.
- Senate Bill 224 (Jackson) expands sexual harassment protections to explicitly prohibit sexual harassment in certain sensitive business relationships that exist outside of the employer-employee legal structure.
- Senate Bill 820, by Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, which prohibits secret settlements and non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases.
- Senate Bill 1343 by Sen. Holly Mitchell, mandates, for the first time, sexual harassment training for non-supervisory employees. Which is critical as harassment can be committed by co-stars or other coworkers.
HELP IS AVAILABLE
If you believe you have experienced workplace harassment or unlawful discrimination, call your union at (855) SAG-AFTRA/(855) 724-2387 and press 1. In addition, SAG-AFTRA and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation have partnered with The Actors Fund to offer workplace harassment support services including counseling and referrals. Call the office nearest you.
The Actors Fund — Los Angeles
(323) 933-9244, etc. 455
INTAKELA@ACTORSFUND.ORG
The Actors Fund — New York
(212) 221-7300, ext. 119
INTAKENY@ACTORSFUND.ORG
The Actors Fund — Chicago
(312) 372-0989
SHAUGHT@ACTORSFUND.ORG