SAG-AFTRA has released a code of conduct in an attempt to protect its members from sexual harassment and promote equality in the workplace. The move comes after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) took a step ahead in establishing the Standards of Conduct for its members in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal involving disgraced Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein, among others. The standards set by the organisation is billed as "a call to action" to the 160,000 members of the guild, which defines sexual harassment and other prohibited conduct in the workplace, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The code also mentions the legal obligations of the employers, under which both the union's contracts and the law need to provide methods in which members can safely report workplace harassment. "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. "We are going further, however, with the launch of our Four Pillars of Change initiative to achieve safe workplaces and advance equity," SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said in a statement. As per the guild, the Four Pillars of Change refer to sections on "Rules and Guidelines, Empowerment Through Education, Expanded Intervention efforts, and Building Bridges and Safety Nets." SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White said the initiative would provide a critical framework for the collective efforts of the organisation to empower the members who experience harassment in the workplace. "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," he added.
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