It is the Engager’s responsibility – under both the ITA and provincial law – to create and maintain a workplace that is safe and respectful for all workers.
The Engager has a further obligation to provide workers with a recourse for raising concerns without fear of reprisal and to promptly investigate any safety concerns or incidents of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
Article 28:00 of the Independent Theatre Agreement covers Working Environment, Health and Safety. Clauses include:
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:
Click here for contact information for Workers’ Compensation Boards across Canada that are responsible for federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
Articles 9:00 and 10:00 of the Independent Theatre Agreement speak to the Engager’s responsibility to provide a respectful workplace.
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 Police 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.
Engagers are required to post Not in OUR Space! Materials in rehearsal and performance spaces.
Request additional materials by contacting communications@caea.com
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.
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