Not in OUR Space! is a national anti-harassment and respectful workplace program working with engagers across disciplines, developed by Equity. It seeks to ensure safe working conditions for all professionals working in live performance across the country.
Equity is committed to the pursuit of safe and respectful workplaces for all artists working under its contracts and will not tolerate nor condone unprofessional or inappropriate member behaviour.
Not In OUR Space! Objectives
- Stop harassment before it starts.
- Encourage collective accountability and responsibility for creating and maintaining safe and respectful workplaces.
- Empower members to speak out against harassment in any form.
- Educate Equity members and their co-workers about unprofessional behaviours that undermine safe and respectful workplace.
- Focus on effective anti-harassment strategies.
- Provide resources and assistance.
Tell the engager
It’s the Engager's legal responsibility to prevent inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, and failing that, their job to investigate the matter and take appropriate action should it occur. If you’re unsure of who to speak to or how the process works, you can always consult the engager’s anti-harassment policy, ask the Equity Liaison or the stage manager, or contact Equity for help.
Tell Equity
Equity is always prepared to help you resolve concerns of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. You can contact Equity to report incidents of inappropriate behaviour while working under one of Equity’s agreements or engagement policies through our form at HAVENonline. You may also request a follow-up conversation with an Equity Respectful Workplace Advisor.
Equity Working With Engagers
Equity is committed to the pursuit of safe and respectful workplaces by promoting zero tolerance for acts of racism, discrimination of any kind, harassment, violence, unprofessional behaviour, reprisal, or abuse of power. Equity is working with the professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and other engagers across disciplines, dedicating energy to cultivating and supporting the community in creating safe and respectful working environments across Canada in the live performance sector.
A key piece of Not in OUR Space! is a Joint First Day Statement [below] presented to the company by both an Equity company member and a representative of the Engager on the first day of rehearsal. If a presentation has not yet taken place in your workplace, email notinOURspace@caea.com.
If It's Happening To You... Remember, You Are Not Alone.
- Consider speaking with the designated engager contact as soon as possible to help resolve the issue while you are still in the workplace.
- Write down places, dates, times, people involved, witnesses and what happened. Make sure to record how the experience affected you.
- Reach out to someone you trust, such as the Stage Manager or Liaison and discuss available resources and assistance.
- Use the HAVEN Online Form to report the incident.
If You Are A Witness...
- Discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace affects everyone in the company by creating a toxic work environment.
- Support your co-worker(s) and encourage them to speak to the engager.
- Consider speaking with the engager about the toxic workplace, if you feel comfortable.
- If the situation isn’t resolved or is getting worse, use HAVEN to ask for support.
- Keep a written record. This can help in resolving the situation.
The Member Guide to Respectful Workplaces
The Member Guide to Respectful Workplaces is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to all of the resources available through Equity for fostering safe and respectful workplaces – making it easier for artists to understand their rights and where to go for support.
Developed by Equity Council’s Safe and Respectful Task Force, the Guide details responsibilities, preventive measures, resolutions and resources to help inform, empower, and support artists, and encourage a workplace free from harm and all forms of inappropriate behaviour.
Standard of Professional Conduct in Equity's Bylaws
What are my responsibilities as an Equity member?
As stated in Equity’s Bylaws, members agree to “uphold professional standards in the practice of their craft and behave in a way that favourably reflects on themselves, the Association, and the live performance community in which they work.” That means fulfilling your professional commitments and responsibilities with integrity as well as upholding and participating in collaborative and inclusive work environments that respect the dignity and well-being of coworkers.
Formal Complaints
Equity's Complaints and Disciplinary Process allows for formal complaints to be filed against a member if they are in violation of Equity's Bylaws. Visit Formal Complaints Process for more information.