Received from: Equity
Merged into composite 05
Congress believes that this is a moment of change. Since November 2017, a raft of high-profile allegations has shone a spotlight on harassment, not only in the
creative industries but elsewhere. Behaviour that was never acceptable and should never have been tolerated.
As unions we have always championed the rights of our members. We are the first line of defence against bad behaviour and the go-to-source of advice whenever our members face problems of any kind. These problems can exist anywhere and that is why legislative changes are needed to protect and empower workers regardless of their employment status or sector.
Congress therefore agrees to redouble its efforts to bring change to the law including through:
i. calling for the reinstatement of the statutory equality questionnaire which allowed claimants to ask for information pertinent to a case of harassment or discrimination
ii. ensuring recognition of third party harassment claims
iii. investigating the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements by employers
iv. campaigning for the recognition of self-employed workers in the Equality Act 2010
v. seeking an extension to the current time limit for lodging a claim of discrimination and/or harassment from three months to at least six months.
Equity
AMENDMENT
- In paragraph 1, at end of sentence 2, after “elsewhere”
insert “including male dominated sectors”. - In paragraph 2, insert new sentence at start:
“Congress welcomes the General Council’s statement on sexual harassment, which demonstrates the movement’s clear leadership on this issue.” - In paragraph 2, at end of sentence 2, after “kind” insert:
“We collaborate with good employers on initiatives to tackle sexual harassment, such as the principles commissioned by the British Film Institute in partnership with industry bodies and unions.”
Prospect