Workplace discrimination in music sector on rise

Two thirds of people working in the music sector have experienced some form of work-based discrimination, according to a survey by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM).

The music body says its new report, Dignity at Work 2, “paints a picture of unsafe workplaces where perpetrators face no repercussions and there is a scandalous lack of action by contractors and employers”.

The findings suggest instances of discrimination and harassment in the music industry have increased since ISM’s first survey in 2018, when 60% of sector workers had been affected.

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ISM President Vick Bain, who co-authored the report, said levels of discrimination and harassment in the music sector are “enormously concerning”.

“Everybody deserves to be safe at work and it’s a scandal that our brilliant music workforce is being let down in this way.”

Sexual harassment was identified as the most frequent type of harassment, totalling 58% of instances, but musicians also reported instances of racism and sexual assault, as well as age, disability, sexuality, gender and religious discrimination.

The report, which includes personal testimonies from music sector workers, also found the majority of discrimination reported (78%) was committed against women, with Black and disabled women particularly affected.

Overall, higher rates of discrimination are experienced the more protected characteristics a person has. Those identifying as non-white and having a disability were most likely to have experienced discrimination, with 90% reporting incidents.

Responses revealed that 82% of all cases were committed by a person with seniority or influence over the victim’s career. More than half (55%) of respondents that did not report the harassment said it was because it’s “just the culture here”, whereas no action was taken on 42% of reported incidents.

Director Arts and Culture at Queen Mary University of London, Dr Aoife Monks, said the findings show “the music industry must challenge its ingrained habits and hierarchies”.

“[They] only serve to ensure that the most vulnerable workers are made ever more vulnerable by inequitable cultures of harassment, coercion and discrimination.”

Focus on freelancers

As in ISM’s 2018 survey, this year’s results found freelance music workers to be most vulnerable to workplace harassment.

Of all the workers who reported experiencing discrimination, 53% were self-employed. But 88% of self-employed workers said they did not report the discrimination they experienced, with 94% of those who didn't saying it was because there was no one to report it too.

The ISM says this suggests “being a freelancer exposes musicians to unsafe workspaces where it is extremely difficult to raise concerns”.

It now plans to seek legislative changes to the Equality Act 2010 to ensure freelancers are protected, as current support is often reliant on a worker having a contract of employment.

‘Implement without delay’

The report sets out a series of recommendations to combat bullying and harassment that the ISM says should be implemented "without delay”.

Alongside amendments to the Equality Act, recommendations include trade bodies taking a more active role in policing their members, extensive training across the sector, reinstating rights around third-party harassment and extending the period of time to bring claims in an employment tribunal.

Director of Operations at Black Lives in Music Roger Wilson said the music industry needs to acknowledge, review and address its “detestable systemic flaws”.

“Equally, there is a crucial role to be played by the government to review legislation and provide effective support for those victimised,” he added.

“Both the government and the music sector itself need to play their part and help make the music industry a safe place to work for everyone.”

Nine in 10 respondents agreed organisations should be actively undertaking training to understand their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts says it is up to those in leadership roles in the music sector to work together and formulate effective solutions to tackle unsafe workspaces.

“Those who are discriminated against must feel safe to come forward and raise their concerns. If we do not engender this cultural shift then nothing will change.”