How do we make it safe for Freelancers to whistleblow or raise a concern?

Opened discussion re how we make people in our Industry feel safe to speak out, especially when jobs are often by word of mouth, and there are always many people who could step in and take our place?

Attendee explained that the Federation of Scottish Theatre has a hotline for anyone to report sexual abuse or abuse of power only.
They have the option to report anonymously, stating what action they would like. Or to report in their name.
Next steps are generally that the company is then approached, and a mediation process happens.

Need to try and get some data on how many issues have been raised since that hotline was set up, and the outcomes ideally.

NB the hotline is funded by the Federation and companies have to pay subs to sign up to the Federation, so a question of what happens if people are working with a company who isn't part of that alliance.

Query on UK equivalents and what is already in place eg ITC/Solt. People can go to the Board if org is a charity. Suggestion that they really deal with more contractual issues.

The other issue is, how do you as a freelancer prove that you've been blacklisted. And if you raise a complaint anonymously, what paper trail do you have of your complaint.

Our Industry often relies on gossip - on A telling B not to work with C. So a sort of unofficial information sharing rather than anything that is public knowledge. And what "gossip" you are privy to you when you are starting out, versus what you get told further down the line in your career varies.

Also the element of people "letting things slide". eg stuff that happens that is not ideal, but doesn't feel big enough for someone to report. Especially if they personally make the decision that those bad aspects are worth putting up with because they get to do their job, and they want to be employed by that Org again. The issue in the freelance world, as opposed to permanent employees/employers, is that when people are only in a building for a short amount of time, they won't say anything. But that person/building might be a repeat offender with every new branch of people that come in. But no one knows, because the information sharing isn't there. So there is a continuation of allowance.

Wider issue of the gap between whistleblowing for major issues eg sexual abuse, and the smaller issues that are worthy of complaint or a grievance, but perhaps aren't considered as such.

Attendee suggested a theatre version of Glassdoor. Logistically we'd have to work out:
- who pays for it (eg Solt/ITC)
- how it is verified - eg we think standard Glassdoor requires proof that you worked somewhere, so we'd need a way for freelancers to be able to leave a review.

Another attended likened it to the Facebook group of "are we dating the same man?"

Understanding that the legislation that is currently in place, or indeed might be put in place, will not by itself solve the problem. Because there is an element of our working culture within the Industry that doesn't protect everyone.

In other industries, there are 360 reviews. Can we have a version of that that is standard in all arts settings? So anonymous, at the end of the contract, where every person gets to make a comment about how they found every other person in the building/on the project. It may be the only way to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. Could be a fairly standard survey monkey.

But then there is always the possibility that if a company does get poorly reviewed eg on Theatre Glassdoor, that they just set up under a new name.

Attendee suggested a Campaign for an Attitude Change. So that companies are blacklisted if they don't treat people well, rather than individuals being worried about being blacklisted if they complain?

There is a variety of facebook groups and whatsapp groups where people share information but they are separate - eg actors, producers. There is no one central group/resource.

Could we insist on 360 reviews and that organisations publish them? Project evaluations at the end of projects so freelancers have a safe space to feedback?

Can we get Spotlight to pay for a hotline/theatre Glassdoor? And what about the other jobs.

Do you have an employee handbook? Could you make a freelancer one that included policies etc?


I'd love more chats about this if people are interested. Please do contact me on hrinthearts@gmail.com or gemmagoggin@gmail.com or Insta: hrinthearts