SAG-AFTRA Issues Code of Conduct in Response to Sexual Harassment Climate

SAG-AFTRA, the entertainment industry’s actors guild, released a code of conduct on Saturday in the wake of a wave of sexual harassment allegations in the industry, offering clear definitions on what the union considers to be a hostile work environment, retaliation and other types of prohibited conduct.

“To truly change the culture we must be courageous and willing. At its most basic, this Code will ultimately help better define what harassment is, and what members’ rights are in real world situations,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “We are going further, however, with the launch of our Four Pillars of Change initiative to achieve safe workplaces and advance equity.”

The move follows the Motion Picture Academy releasing a code of conduct similar in tone, also aimed at defining unacceptable behavior in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Also Read: Writers Guild Announces 'Zero Tolerance Policy' on Sexual Harassment

The code of conduct states:

Employers have a legal and contractual obligation to maintain a workplace free from sexual harassment. SAG-AFTRA is committed
to holding employers accountable for meeting this obligation. We are prepared to work cooperatively with employers towards the achievement of this goal, but are also willing to use the union’s enforcement powers to protect our members, including directing them not to work for employers who will not keep them safe.

This SAG-AFTRA Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment (“Code of Conduct”) marks our rededication to upholding professional standards and addressing the toxic and often unlawful workplace culture that many of our members face on a daily basis. We expect our members to live up to these standards, including in their dealings with other members and employees.

As a union that draws its strength from collective action, we also expect our members to uphold our collective responsibility, stop harassing conduct whenever possible, support those who speak up, and report the o ensive conduct whenever possible. STOP. SUPPORT. REPORT.

This Code of Conduct is firmly grounded in established laws, contractual provisions, and policies that are articulated below. To ensure that this Code of Conduct provides practical guidance, we will be supplementing it with additional, scenario-speci c guidance that outlines best practices and o ers practical advice for members on how to avoid and/or address sexual harassment in the workplace and related environments.

“This initiative provides a critical framework for our collective efforts to further strengthen protections for SAG-AFTRA members who experience harassment in the workplace,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. “Our comprehensive approach ensures that we stay focused on providing members with clear information, making training available that is relevant and practical, and working with industry partners to expand our tools to intervene and support victims of workplace harassment and assault. We are very excited to engage in this effort.”

To read the guild’s full Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment, click here.