#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

Sign the petition

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.

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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

Two young women playing Highland Bagpipes in front of stone wall.

Women in Piping and Drumming Report Reveals Culture of Sexism in Sector

National Piping Centre research reveals fundamental challenges facing women in piping and drumming.

Published: 13 December 2024

Hand stopping wooden dominos from falling, a proactive concept.

Worker Protection Act Comes into Force to Help Tackle Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The Worker Protection Act 2024, which comes into force on 26 October, introduces a new Preventative Duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers and employees.

Published: 17 October 2024

Female musician busking, playing acoustic guitar and singing outdoors in the street.

MU Writes to Government Over its Failure to Address Misogyny in the Music Industry

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has contacted Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities, to express our concerns about the Government’s response to the Misogyny in Music Enquiry.

Published: 07 May 2024

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

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

Access our expert music industry advice and services as a woman music artist, whether you are a full-time or part-time music professional, employed, freelance, teaching or recording from home.

Make the most out of MU membership

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Advice on workplace rights and access to a parental grant
Be part of community of women musicians to connect, network and make positive change across the MU and the music industry.

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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