The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made it easier for members to report instances of workplace misconduct. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the organization approved measures to help enforce the updated code of conduct it unveiled last month. Per the new course of action, claims of harassment or abuse can be securely logged on the Academy website or reported via phone call to the membership department.
“Claims must include supporting evidence such as a second witness, a second party who was told of the violation, a contemporaneous written report, or evidence that the claim is part of an established pattern,” the source details. After they are submitted, claims will be sent to the Academy’s membership and administration committee, which will decide whether or not to take action. If they do decide to move forward, the committee will inform the accused that they have 10 business to respond to the allegations.
At that point, the committee will either take remedial action or escalate the claim to the Academy’s board of governors. “Only the board can decide whether to suspend or expel a member. The member will have 10 business days to appeal any decision.”
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson informed members of the new standards of conduct in early December. “The Academy’s goal is not to be an an investigative body,” Hudson wrote the members, “but rather ensure that when a grievance is made, it will go through a fair and methodical process. This process will determine whether a claim will be brought to the board for possible action regarding membership status.”
The new code of conduct was put together by a special task force headed by Governor and Academy Officer David Rubin. It was designed in response to the wave of sexual misconduct allegations that has been coming out of Hollywood since the Harvey Weinstein accusations came to light in October.
In recent months many other measures have been taken to fight the Hollywood’s massive harassment problem. The Time’s Up initiative was introduced, Women In Film launched a hotline for survivors, and “The Hunting Ground” filmmakers Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick are currently collecting research for their documentary about the widespread assault in show business.
You can read the statement the Academy made when it announced the new code last month below, courtesy of THR.
Academy membership is a privilege offered to only a select few within the global community of filmmakers. In addition to achieving excellence in the field of motion picture arts and sciences, members must also behave ethically by upholding the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity. The Academy asks that members embrace their responsibility to affirm these principles and act when these principles are violated. There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency. The Academy is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion, or nationality. The Board of Governors believes that these standards are essential to the Academy’s mission and reflective of our values.
If any member is found by the Board of Governors to have violated these standards or to have compromised the integrity of the Academy by their actions, the Board of Governors may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s Bylaws, including suspension or expulsion.
