Category Archives: Disability equality

Why ‘the freelance deal’ is a big deal – and not just for the workers concerned.

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Paul Evans

There’s a long read on this site about the ‘contingent production army’ that manages large parts of the entertainment industry. Thinking about this issue, and processing it has allowed me to get a clearer idea of what our grievances are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Disability equality, Employment, Employment Law and Rights, Employment status, Equality, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Gender equality, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, IR35, Long hours, Management, Mental Health, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Occupational Health, Personal Service Companies, Productivity, Race equality, Tax, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

3rd December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Paul Evans

Thursday 3 December is the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). Introduced in 1992, the IDPD aims to promote the rights and well-being of disabled people across society. In what has been one of the most challenging years … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Equality | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Diversity and equal opportunities in TV and radio – Ofcom reporting

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Paul Evans

Ofcom recently published their five-year review on diversity and equal opportunities in TV and Radio [pdf]. It’s an interesting one because a few things are gradually coming together now. So, for example, on disability, they now are able to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Equality, Gender equality, Gender representation, Race equality, Wealth inequality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Women more likely to leave the Theatre sector post-pandemic

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

A survey [pdf], earlier this year, by Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts (PIPA) highlights a survey it did of members, which showed that 43% of parents or carers were considering abandoning their career because of the pandemic. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Disability equality, Equality, Family rights, Gender equality, Theatre and Live Events data, Wellbeing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Cultural Diversity is not just about limiting discrimination – it’s an economic and industrial factor

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Paul Evans

It’s worth bookmarking Unesco’s Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions here. This is an important global statement on the need for cultural expressions to be produced, distributed, and owned ‘locally’ (in the Nations and … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Economics, Equality, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Gender equality, Gender representation, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Race equality, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios, Wealth inequality | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Making union communications more accessible

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Paul Evans

Making union communications more accessible https://t.co/wLuiIAJ5Me — Bectu (@bectu) September 9, 2021

Posted in Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Organising Skills, Recruitment and organising | Tagged , | Leave a comment

James McTaggart Memorial Lecture 2021 – Jack Thorne

Posted on September 6, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Irish News gave a good introduction to the 2021 MacTaggart Lecture Jack Thorne and his theme: to draw attention to the “glaring problem” of the treatment of disabled people. Update: If you don’t have time to listen to the … Continue reading →

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Post-lockdown mental health concerns among theatre workers

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Paul Evans

From The Stage [£]: “Half of backstage workers are considering leaving their career and more than two thirds do not think that employers have put adequate mental health support in place for their post-Covid return to work, according to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Disability equality, Freelance working, Gig economy workers, Health & Safety, Illness and disability, Management, Mental Health, Theatre and Live Events data, Wellbeing, Workplace conflict | Tagged | Leave a comment

RSC to offer socially distanced musicals for audiences reluctant to attend a full-capacity show

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

This will be happening in November and December, and audiences will be seated with an empty row in front of and behind them, and with one empty seat between parties, and with everyone (barring exempted people) asked to wear a … Continue reading →

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Bectu’s equality and diversity networks

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Paul Evans

Bectu has a number of equality and diversity networks that members can join. They include: Black Bectu network …for Black, Asian and minority ethnic people working in the creative industries is a way for Bectu to be able to listen … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying and Harassment, Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Equality, Gender pay, Gender representation, Sexual harassment | Leave a comment

Beacon Films and the UK Disability Arts Alliance

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Beacon Films have been in touch. They work to promote and train workers with learning disabilities seeking to work in the film and TV industries. They support their project members to: Discover Filmmaking Talents Develop Professional Skills Work on Film … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Equality | 1 Comment

Some wellbeing resources

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Paul Evans

My thanks to Adeel Amini of TV Mindset for sharing these resources. TV Mindset talks – wellbeing: The Science of Wellbeing – Practical Tips for Freelancers: “Stress Less” Session: Understanding Your Value in an Uncertain World: How To Deal With … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Disability equality, Equality, Freelance working, Illness and disability, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Workplace conflict | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Statutory Sick Pay and freelance working

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

For the purposes of this post, I’m taking the term ‘freelance’ in its broadest form. Many people who are on either short fixed-term contracts, or non-permanent PAYE contracts tend to regard themselves as ‘freelancers’. People who are ‘self-employed’ have few … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Employment Law and Rights, Equality, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Illness and disability, National Insurance Contributions (NICs), Welfare and benefits | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Culture of nepotism and inequality in the film industry

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Paul Evans

There are ‘diversity and inclusion – how are we doing?’ reports and lots of other useful diversity reports on the BFI website – here. There’s also a Disability Inclusion project here. Searching around there’s also this news report from four years … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability equality, Equality, Film & TV industry policy, Wealth inequality | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment