Creative UK launches new bullying & harassment resource hub

On Friday 1 December 2023 Creative UK is launching ‘It’s NOT OK‘, a new free-to-use e-learning module to help give the creative industries the tools to call out and tackle bullying and harassment.  The ‘It’s NOT OK’ module aims to inform workers in the industry about these prevalent issues and offer guidance on where and whom people can approach for help.  

Since June 2021, senior leaders within the creative industries have been working with the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to convene a series of industry roundtables with representatives from film and television, music, advertising, games, publishing, theatre, and fashion along with key unions, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), and people with lived experience of bullying, harassment and discrimination.  

Chaired by Caroline Norbury, OBE, CEO of Creative UK; roundtable members have come together to develop responses across three distinct areas, 1) prevent, 2) protect and 3) monitor bullying and harassment across the industry. 

• Under prevent, industry has developed codes of conduct and a new e-learning module launched today. 
• Under protect, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is under development and will lead the industry’s response to addressing incidents of bullying and harassment. 
• Under monitor, we are seeking to bring together existing sub-sector data to establish a baseline that paints a picture of the levels of BHD behaviour in the industry with a view to understanding what interventions are working to shift behaviour and cement culture and behaviour change. 

The most recent roundtable was attended by Rt. Hon Lucy Frazer MP KCE, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and Sir John Whittingdale, Minister for Creative Industries, where the new e-learning module was presented to raise awareness and help prevent incidents of bullying and harassment.  

Produced by Creative UK’s Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Sarah Gregory, the development of the e-learning module has been supported by cross-industry partners including the British Fashion Models Association (BFMA); the British Fashion Council; CIISA, Time’s Up UK, UK Music; Music Managers’ Forum (MMF); the British Phonographic Industry (BPI); Personal Managers’ Association (PMA); Creative UK; Musicians Union; Advertising Association; PACT; Society of London Theatres & UK Theatre; and Bectu. The e-learning module is free to access on the Creative UK website and through industry partners’ websites including UK Music, Time’s Up UK, the BPI and Music Managers Forum.  

Bullying and harassment are unacceptable behaviours that affect far too many workers in the cultural and Creative Industries. The ‘It’s NOT OK’ resource is a key tool in establishing a safer and harassment-free sector for everyone in it. 

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: 

“I’ve heard first-hand this week about the serious impact bullying and harassment can have. It is never acceptable and the creative industries must leave no stone unturned in making sure that people feel they can contribute their skills in a safe and supportive environment. Giving them the tools and training to call out inappropriate behaviour is an important step forward in achieving that.” 

Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Creative UK, Sarah Gregory says:  

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and be free from all forms of bullying and harassment in their work whether that be a stage, set, studio or rehearsal room. This new e-learning module will help to raise awareness amongst workers across the creative industries about their rights and where they can turn if they experience or witness bullying or harassment at work. We’re immensely grateful for the help, support, guidance and contribution from all our industry partners that has enabled the production of this cross-industry, free-to-use resource.” 

UK Music, Deputy CEO and Director of Public Affairs, Tom Kiehl said:  

“Incidents of harassment, bullying and discrimination across the creative industries need to be taken very seriously indeed. It is important that we ensure companies, organisations and individuals have the right tools and training to assist responses to complaints about unacceptable behaviour. This new resource hub is a welcome addition to existing materials and UK Music is pleased to partner and support.” 

Commercial Director, Inclusion Lead, Advertising Association, Sharon Lloyd Barnes says: 

The Advertising Association is delighted to see the launch of the e-learning module to tackle bullying and harassment in the creative industries. It aligns with our industry’s work with All In to identify these behaviours within our workforce and take action to improve the experience of all those working in advertising. This module provides an excellent tool for us to share in order to achieve those objectives. 

Interim CEO CIISA, Jen Smith says:  

“CIISA’s long-term aim is to upskill and professionalise behaviours across the creative industries and so we welcome this new free resource to ensure we have the tools to help us get there.” 

Anneliese Harmon, GM at the Music Managers Forum says: 

The MMF has supported Creative UK in its work on tackling Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in the Creative Industries, and we have proudly contributed to developing and financing the brand-new learning module. 

We strongly believe in taking action for positive and meaningful change. Their vision and approach is fully aligned with our own goals, aspirations and our continued work to empower, educate and protect music managers and their clients.  All our members are signed up to a Code of Practice to govern good behaviour and we support the establishment of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority to uphold best practice in our sector and address bad actors. 

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: 

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work and it’s critical that people feel confident in raising concerns in the workplace.  

“Bullying and harassment remains a serious and endemic problem in the creative industries. Industry collaboration is critical to tackling this issue, and we hope this new module will create further awareness, as well as equip creative workers with practical tools and resources for seeking help.  

“Alongside other industry initiatives like the development of CIISA, this is an important step forward in ensuring the creative industries foster a culture where everyone can feel confident, empowered and respected at work.” 

BPI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, Hailey Willington said: 

“The BPI is delighted to support Creative UK’s new bullying and harassment e-learning module ‘It’s not OK’. We are proud to be rolling the module out internally and promoting it to the BPI’s membership. Widespread and accessible education about what bullying and harassment is, what ‘good behaviour’ looks like, and where to find resources for support are essential to creating workplaces that are safe and inclusive for all. We welcome and encourage engagement with It’s not OK across both music and the wider creative industries.”  

Access the e-learning module here.