#ProtectFreelancersToo

End Sexual Harassment at Work

Help change the law to protect all self-employed musicians.

48%* musicians have experienced sexual harassment at work

85%* did not report it

61%* believe freelancers are at higher risk of being sexually harassed while working

Freelancers like musicians often miss out on protection from sexual harassment at work. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to protect freelancers too.

* Source: MU member research of 700+ participants, conducted in 2019.

Help us to end sexual harassment in the workplace

Behind Every Musician

Government Response to Consultation

The MU welcomes Government’s commitment to introducing a mandatory duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work. But it does not adequately protect all of our members. Government must ensure the duty protects freelancers too.

woman adjusting her hearing aid in the mirror

Guidance and advice

Safe Space

Report Your Experiences to the MU’s Safe Space

Share your experience in confidence

In the workplace

Developing a Sexual Harassment Policy

If you've been affected

Help and Support

Appropriate Behaviour at Work

For employers

Music Sector Code of Practice

Trade Union Advice and Assistance

Latest news and features

Hand turns a wooden cube and changes an unequal sign to an equal sign between symbols of men and women, on an orange background.

MU Deeply Disappointed as Government Fails to Address Misogyny in the Music Industry

Today the UK Government has responded to the Misogyny in Music Report and rejected recommendations that would help protect and support women in the music industry from harassment and discrimination, despite hearing strong evidence from women, experts and organisations in the sector.

Published: 19 April 2024

Young female Black musician, wearing headphones sat in front of a keyboard in a recording studio.

Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

The survey will inform government legislation, the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and the wider music industry. It will also be used to support BLiM’s forthcoming Anti Racist Code of Conduct. Members are encouraged to share their experiences.

Published: 19 April 2024

Group of four young people, smiling on a roof top while one plays acoustic guitar.

12 Recommendations to Make the Music Industry More Inclusive for LGBTQ+ Musicians

The Musicians' Census' LGBTQ+ Musicians Insight Report revealed multiple issues that the music industry and Government need to tackle to make the industry more diverse and inclusive. Here we look at the recommendations we think can make that happen.

Published: 07 February 2024

Inclusion and discrimination concept. Lines of wooden figurines as a barrier in front of different coloured figurines.

LGBTQ+ Musicians Still Impacted by Discrimination and Harassment Says 2023 Musicians’ Census

New findings from the Musicians’ Census show that LGBTQ+ musicians are disproportionately impacted by discrimination and sexual harassment, particularly for trans musicians, having a more widespread impact on their careers and ability to work.

Published: 07 February 2024

Silhouette of a young woman playing guitar alone in the dark.

MU Welcomes Recommendations Made in Government’s Misogyny in Music Report

The report, which was based on an inquiry into what misogynistic attitudes existed in the music industry and why, concluded that much work is still needed to tackle discrimination and the harassment and sexual abuse of women.

Published: 30 January 2024

Around the web

The Telegraph

‘I’ve been mistaken for a groupie’: how the music industry is still failing women

Hollywood Reporter

#MeToo Missed Us: Female Composers Speak Out

PRS for Music

‘It’s a massive problem with the whole culture of the industry,’ Naomi Pohl on Safe Space

Listen in

In this episode on "Sexism and sexual harassment in the music industry" Naomi Pohl, Deputy General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, talks to Katie on Music Works podcast about the problems of discrimination and harassment musicians can face, and how the Union has created their online Safe Space facility to help victims report incidents in confidence and receive the support they need.

Listen to the episode

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of inappropriate sexual or discriminatory conduct can contact MU Safe Space.

Get support as a woman musician through MU membership

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Get support as a woman musician through MU membership

Naomi Pohl

General Secretary

John Shortell

Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

equalities@themu.org

Maddy Radcliff

Campaigns and Social Media Manager

campaigns@themu.org

End Sexual Harassment at Work

Help us to end sexual harassment in the workplace

MU research shows that sexual harassment is a normalised, almost expected, part of working as a musician.

Government is introducing a mandatory duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work.

No one should experience or fear sexual harassment, abuse, bullying or discrimination on campus or at work.

Campaigns can move fast at a moment’s notice. Make sure your stay up to speed with the latest on the issues you care about the most.

Government Response to Consultation

Guidance and advice