Safe and Respectful Workplace Requirements

Every person employed in Canada has the right to a safe work environment. The Occupational Health and Safety Act or equivalent in your jurisdiction entitles all workers to three essential rights:

1. The right to know about health and safety matters.
2. The right to participate in decisions that could affect their health and safety.
3. The right to refuse work that could affect their health and safety, and that of others.

Articles 9:00 and 10:00 of the Canadian Theatre Agreement speak to the Engager’s responsibility to provide a respectful workplace. This includes the requirement to annually submit an Article 10:00 plan to Equity, as well as their Respectful Workplace Policy, prior to the first production of their season.

Equity is committed to working with Engagers to raise awareness of everyone’s right to a respectful workplace and to promote zero tolerance for acts of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.

A key component of this initiative is Equity’s Not in OUR Space! Program — a collection of resource materials to educate and empower both Artists and Engagers.

Engagers are required to have a Respectful Workplace Policy that must be shared with Equity and all workers. The policy should affirm the theatre’s commitment to providing and maintaining a respectful workplace, as well as clear procedures for reporting and investigating allegations of unprofessional conduct or inappropriate behaviour.

A rep from the Theatre and an Equity member are required to present a “Respectful Workplace Statement” at the first day of rehearsals and again, should it be requested. The statement should outline their commitment to providing and maintaining a respectful workplace, as well as how to bring forward any concerns.

The Engager has a responsibility to conduct an investigation of any complaint they receive regarding the workplace. The process for receiving and investigating a complaint should be outlined for all workers in the Engager’s Respectful Workplace Policy.

Equity must be notified of any complaint brought forward by an Equity member or made against an Equity member. Upon written consent of the Equity member, the Engager will share a summary report of the actions and findings of any investigation with Equity.