Resources on discrimination

Speak to Equity about discrimination

If you think you’ve been discriminated against at work, Equity can support you. Call Equity staff on 020 7379 6000 or speak to the Equity Official for your sector. You can find their details on our contact page.

If you are being bullied or harassed in the workplace, you can speak to Equity and find more advice and information on our website.

Accessible word version coming soon.

Protected characteristics

On our Discrimination at work page, Equity's Equalities Equalities and Diversity Officer Ian Manborde outlines your basic rights at work and what to do if you experience discrimination.

The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of nine protected characteristics. The Equality and Human Rights Commission your rights in relation to each characteristic:  

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Invisible protected characteristics

Not all protected characteristics are immediately visible or communicable in a working environment. Equity recognises that members can still face workplace discrimination as a result of these characteristics.

Below you can find rights and resources related to discrimination in these areas, as well as related to discrimination you may experienced based on other characteristics.

Age

Young members committee

Equity provides tailored Young Members support for members aged 30 and under. The union understands that young members can experience age-related discrimination and can assist young members experiencing age-related discrimination.

Appearance

Increasingly, performers are sharing concerns about the pressures they face in relation to their appearance and the policing of their bodies. Body shaming can be a form of discrimination or bullying. Find out more about aesthetic labour and body shaming.

Appearance related discrimination crosses over with many other types of discrimination. Find out more on how to get support on these below.

Class

Join Equity’s Class Network by emailing classnetwork@equity.org.uk. You can also listen to the Equity Green Room podcast discussing issues around class in the industry here.

Disability

Information for d/Deaf and Disabled members — from representation to access to work:

• Your rights around Access to Work and making a claim.
• The Deaf and Disabled Members Committee’s guide to your rights around reasonable adjustments.

Contact the Deaf and Disabled Members Committee at DDMCommittee@equity.org.uk.

LGBT+

Information for transgender, non-binary and other LGBT+ members. Contact the LGBT+ Committee at LGBTCommittee@equity.org.uk

Maternity and parenthood

Advice and resources about your rights at work and beyond when it comes to pregnancy, maternity, parenthood and caring responsibilities, can be found on our maternity and care pages.

Mental health

Many people with mental health conditions or problems can encounter discrimination. You can find support on the BAPAM website and through Samwell Community.

Non-UK-Born Artists

The Non-UK-Born-Artists Network represents the interests of thousands of foreign-born Equity members. The aim is to expand the equality debate and work towards a culture shift in the industry and society as a whole. Find out about the Non-UK-Born Artists network. 

Race

The Race Equality Committee advises the Equity Council. They take approved action on any equal opportunities matters and discrimination on the grounds of race relevant to the professional employment of Equity members.

Find out more about the Race Equality Committee

Women

The Women's Committee advises the Council and takes approved action on any equal opportunities matters and discrimination on the grounds of gender relevant to the professional employment of Equity members. Contact the Women’s Committee at: womenscommittee@equity.org.uk

Further resources

Act for Change

Campaign to strengthen diversity across the performing arts.

ERA 50:50

Campaign to achieve 50:50 gender balance on stage and screen by 2020.

PiPA

Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts work to address a lack of provision for parents and carers in the performing arts.

Stage Sight

Stage Sight’s vision is to create an off stage workforce that is more reflective of our society today.

WASPI

The WASPI Campaign is fighting for justice for all women born in the 1950s affected by the changes to the State Pension Age.

What share of the cake report

Sphinx report analysing gender distribution in arts funding.

Equity guides and documents

The documents below outline the campaigns and resources created by Equity to support members facing discrimination.

• Agenda for Change
  Equity’s manifesto for a safe working environment for all.
• Bullying and harassment guide
  Equity’s guidelines on bullying and harassment.
• Casting Questions Card
  What you can - and can’t - be asked in a casting.
• Deaf and Disabled Members' Access to Work Guide
  Your rights around access to work.
• Diversity on screen
  Report on ethnic representation in peak drama (2020).
• Equity statement on diversity
  President Maureen Beattie’s speech to the TUC on sexual harassment.
• LGBT+ members guide
  Information for LGBT+ members.
• Making an appearance
  The report from the Women’s Committee and Royal Holloway University’s research into aesthetic labour.
• Manifesto for casting
  Equity’s guidance for best practice and what to expect during the casting process.