“Call It!” , an app that enables the UK’s film and television workforce to call out bad behaviour, has partnered with ITV Studios.
The app enables the workforce to quickly and anonymously record incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination, without fear of retaliation or repercussions. It also provides easy access to employers’ “dignity at work” policies and procedures for official reporting, and reference of third party support and resources. It also allows companies and productions to monitor the safety and well-being of their employees by asking the question “How were you treated at work today?” and collecting anonymous data on experiences of bullying and harassment.
After a beta and proof-of-concept phase, the app was launched on the film and TV market earlier this month. ITV Studios is the first major partner to sign up and will start offering the app to their UK companies.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios said: “The well-being of everyone who works at ITV Studios is of paramount importance and ‘Call It! “It would be a great addition to the ongoing evolution of our Duty of Care best practices and existing initiatives we implement – both within the company and with our external partners – that enable those who work in our production to feel safe and supported in speaking out. ‘Call it!’ It will complement our operations perfectly, which aims to help those who lead our production teams not only to identify problems early but also to manage them in a timely and appropriate manner.”
The independent app, as a not-for-profit, was created by director Delyth Thomas (“Victoria”) and producers Jules Hussey (“Guilt”) and Kate Wilson (“Sounds Like London”). It was created to address the statistic that 84% of workers in the film and television industry have experienced or witnessed bullying at work, and are twice as likely to leave the industry and more likely to have mental health problems. These incidents also have a financial impact: poor mental health at work costs the British economy 45 billion pounds ($50.6 billion) each year.
“We are thrilled that everyone working on ITV Studios productions will have the opportunity to use ‘Call It!’,” Hussey, Thomas, and Wilson said. We salute their proactive commitment to creating a safer, healthier and more productive workplace. We hope the entire industry will follow in the footsteps of ITV Studios and use “Call It!” so that better treatment at work becomes commonplace and cases of bullying, harassment and discrimination are reduced. Our industry can and must offer the best and safest workplaces The most satisfying of all, and our partnership with ITV Studios is a good start.”
“Call It!” added Tim Hunter, BAFTA’s Director of New Learning and Talent. The app provides a confidential temperature check for production, and apart from the useful information it provides, it is also a strong statement from employers that feedback is helpful and welcome and will help improve working conditions for everyone.”
“We call it!” Collaborates with Birmingham City University’s Sir Lenny Henry Center for Media Diversity, Bectu, Casting Guild, Director UK, Film and TV Charity, Mark Milsome Foundation, Personal Managers Association, Production Guild, Sara Putt Associates, Time’s Up UK, Writers Guild of Great Britain and others to include application in industry.
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