Sky Fine-Tunes Harassment Policies, Requires ‘Safeguarding Representative’ on All Productions
Comcast’s pay-TV giant Sky has strengthened its existing procedures against sexual harassment in the wake of a series of scandals that have rocked the British entertainment industry, including multiple misconduct allegations against actor Noel Clarke.
Clarke starred in Sky’s “Bulletproof.” The broadcaster stopped Clarke’s involvement across all productions after sexual harassment and bullying allegations emerged against him in late April. As revealed by Variety Sky ultimately canceled “Bulletproof.”
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The broadcaster now requires every production to have a named Safeguarding Representative, who will support production with information on policies and routes to report issues. In addition, everyone working on a Sky production, including cast and crew, will have to complete a mandatory online training module, ‘Respect in the Workplace,’ which details the level of behaviour we expect in the workplace. On scripted productions, it will be mandatory to do ScreenSkills training as well and the organization is exploring options with ScreenSkills regarding unscripted productions.
In addition to printing details of Sky’s confidential service, Sky Listens, on call sheets, each production will now be required to prominently display details around the workplace of how to report any concerns, including private spaces, such as toilets and trailers, and public spaces, such as canteens and break spaces. This should include details for Sky Listens, the Film & TV Charity’s reporting line and the new, on-set Safeguarding Representative.
Sky will also introduce anonymous exit questionnaires to give everyone finishing a production the opportunity to raise any concerns or provide any recommendations for the future to both the independent production company and Sky.
“Recent allegations of sexual misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour on set in the TV industry have given us all reason to address what is and is not acceptable during production. This is a moment for the U.K.’s TV and Film industry to take stock and ensure we are doing all we can to prevent future occurrences of misconduct, and support those who have concerns they wish to raise,” said a joint statement signed by Zai Bennett, MD of content and Sky U.K. and Jane Millichip, chief content officer, Sky Studios.
“As ever, our focus is on ensuring that Sky’s shows are produced in safe, professional workplaces, with industry leading safeguarding measures in place,” the statement added.
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