Speaking Up: Whistleblowing to CIISA
CIISA is an independent, external whistleblowing body for those working in the film, TV, music and theatre industries (including live performance). This is known as being a ‘Prescribed Person’ under UK whistleblowing legislation.
This means workers may be able to make whistleblowing disclosures to CIISA, where those concerns relate to matters within CIISA’s official remit.
Our prescribed remit covers any concerns regarding workplace behaviours covered by the CIISA Standards (including harassment, discrimination, victimisation and risks to health or safety) by individuals or organisations in the film, television, music and theatre industries.
What kinds of concerns can CIISA receive?
CIISA may be able to receive disclosures relating to:
- Harassment and sexual harassment;
- Bullying and abusive workplace behaviour;
- Discrimination;
- Victimisation or retaliation;
- Risks to health and safety;
- Workplace cultures or practices that undermine compliance with the CIISA Standards;
- Other concerns affecting workers which may raise wider public-interest issues within the sectors covered by CIISA.
Not every workplace concern will amount to whistleblowing, which specifically covers issues that may impact on a number of people. So this wouldn’t cover an individual’s personal employment situation, which may be better dealt with through an employer’s grievance process or another route.
What will happen if I contact CIISA?
We will acknowledge receipt of your disclosure or enquiry.
If you are making an enquiry about whether a concern falls within CIISA’s remit, we will aim to respond as soon as possible and within 10 days.
If you make a whistleblowing disclosure, we will:
- Securely record the information you provide;
- Assess whether the concerns raised fall within our remit;
- Consider the information alongside other evidence, reports and intelligence available to us;
- Use disclosures to help build insight into themes, patterns, risks and issues affecting the creative industries.
We take all disclosures seriously. We take an evidence-based and evidence-led approach to understanding the issues being reported and how they contribute to our wider insight and intelligence picture.
What CIISA can and cannot do
We can:
- Receive whistleblowing disclosures within our remit;
- Receive enquiries about our ‘prescribed person’ role;
- Record and analyse information provided to us;
- Use information from disclosures to identify patterns, themes, risks and emerging concerns;
- Use disclosures to inform CIISA’s insight and reporting work;
- Take steps to protect confidentiality where possible.
We cannot:
- Act on or respond to every concern raised;
- Resolve individual workplace disputes;
- Determine whether a disclosure is legally protected;
- Provide legal advice;
- Guarantee that we will take action in relation to every disclosure;
- Provide detailed updates about every report received.
Before you report
Workers may choose to contact us because they do not feel able to speak up safely within their organisation, or because they believe their organisation has not addressed their concerns.
A whistleblowing report can be protected by law when certain requirements are met. This means a worker may be protected from unfair treatment at work because they made the report to CIISA.
Whether a report qualifies for protection will depend on the circumstances.
We have created a Guide for Individuals and a Guide for Organisations to help explain who can report to CIISA and the kinds of reports we are able to accept.
Confidentiality
We recognise that raising concerns is both sensitive and personal. We will take appropriate steps to protect personal information and limit access to disclosures to authorised personnel only.
Where we use information from disclosures in insight or reporting work, we will always prioritise confidentiality and protecting the identity of reporters or other individuals.
Further information about how we handle personal information can be found in our Privacy Notice.
Thinking about raising a concern?
If you work in the film, television, music or theatre industries, including live performance, and are concerned about wrongdoing, harmful practices, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, health and safety risks, or wider issues relating to compliance with the CIISA Standards, you may be considering making a whistleblowing disclosure.
Speaking up can be difficult. You may be unsure whether what you have experienced or witnessed is whistleblowing, whether it falls within CIISA’s remit, or what might happen if you raise concerns.
You do not need to work all of this out on your own.
Get independent advice before making a disclosure
If you are unsure whether you should raise a concern with CIISA, your employer, another regulator, or through a different route, we encourage you to seek independent advice first.
CIISA cannot provide legal advice or tell you whether a disclosure will be protected under whistleblowing law.
You can contact Protect, the UK’s independent whistleblowing charity, who provide free and confidential advice to workers who are considering speaking up about wrongdoing, risks or malpractice at work.
Protect can help you understand:
- Whether your concern may be whistleblowing;
- Whether it may be in the public interest;
- The different options available to you for raising concerns;
- The legal protections available to whistleblowers;
- The potential risks and practical considerations involved in making a disclosure.
Additional Whistleblowing Support
CIISA is working alongside a number of organisations who offer additional, specialist support in areas such as mental health and wellbeing, and sexual violence. This is open to all and free to access.
The Survivors’ Trust offers a Free National Helpline for those affected by sexual abuse or violence
For those in music: Help Musicians offers a free and confidential bullying advice line and mental health support to anyone working in Music
For those in Film and TV: The Film and TV Charity provides mental health support, a 24/7 Support Line, and a dedicated Bullying Advice service
For those in Theatre and performing arts: Wellbeing in the Arts offers confidential mental health and wellbeing support
There is also a range of support available to help with issues including advocacy, discrimination, union or professional guidance, access needs, workplace rights and other practical concerns.
Click here to access a list of useful resources and specialist support organisations.
Before you report to us
Read our Guide for Individuals or Guide for Organisations
Consider speaking to experts at the whistleblowing charity Protect
Report to CIISA
Access our confidential, secure reporting portal
After you report
Speaking up can be difficult. We work with a number of organisations who offer free, confidential specialist support.