Broken turnaround
Broken Turnaround – reporting to HSE
As part of Bectu’s Broken Turnaround Campaign, if you have recently been asked or made to break your turnaround, your union is asking you to do both of the following steps.
Being asked or made to break turnaround means you have not been given adequate rest between the end of a call and the start of the next.
This campaign is for both scripted and unscripted workers.
Step 1: Fill out the HSE Reporting Form here
Your union wants the HSE to understand the extent of the problem on TV & film productions via their own reporting tools.
Step 2: Broken Turnaround Monitoring Form
This is a quick process to allow your union to keep track of reports and take action on this issue in collaboration with the HSE.
Bectu is calling for action on ‘broken turnaround’, after our research reveals how widespread it is – and the severe physical and mental health impact it has on film and TV crew.
Fixing the problem of broken turnaround is about preventing film and TV workers from working dangerously long hours without adequate rest breaks, and that affects everyone, whether it be in scripted or unscripted productions.
A worker is considered to have ‘broken turnaround’ when they are required by their employer to return to work within less than 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period. This is in breach of workplace rights set out in Regulation 10 of The Working Time Regulations 1998.
Bectu’s recent poll of nearly 500 film and TV crew, working in roles such as grips, costume, hair and makeup, lighting and locations, revealed that broken turnaround is commonly used on UK productions.
“It’s left me burnt out, unable to do my job well or safely, been terrible for my mental and physical health. Often, when finishing on a job of this sort I fall ill for several weeks after.”
Anonymous
“It’s taken for granted that I’ll be first in and last out. However, I’ve had several productions complain about paying broken turnaround, making me feel guilty and a nuisance. The fear of being replaced is still very real.”
Anonymous
“I cried at work from pure exhaustion, it was humiliating. I never see my family, I neglect most of my personal life to be able to keep up with the hours.”
Anonymous