Bectu kick starts return to work theatre conversation

Theatre workers and employers are being invited by Bectu to share their views about how the industry can return to work.

Bectu has launched a ThoughtExchange which will allow both employers and workers to highlight their concerns about going back to work as the government considers plans to lift the lockdwon.

The interactive tool allows individuals to put in a ‘thought’ that other people can see and then rate it out of five.

Over 6000 theatre workers across the country will be invited to take part in the initiative which aims to bring employers and staff together in a conversation about how the industry can start to function again.

Close to 250 employers will also be asked to share their opinions using the interactive tool which will be open for 10 days. Once the results have been analysed Bectu will invite representatives from across the industry to take part in a discussion about returning to work. The initiative opens on 5 May.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“Many employers, particularly theatres in the West End, have acted responsibly and have furloughed staff wherever they can. However, there are groups of our members that have been economically stranded during the coronavirus outbreak with no work and no financial support.

“Theatre bosses are now openly saying they don’t expect to be open to the public until the end of the year and even then it is unclear what the impact of social distancing will be on permitted audiences and the government is yet to mention the creative industries in any of its briefings on returning to work.

“An industry wide approach and further collaboration is desperately needed to ensure that theatres are able to get back to work sooner rather than later in the safest way possible.”

A recent Bectu ThoughtExchange revealed that people working in theatre, live events and the arts are still desperate for income support during the coronavirus crisis.

People were asked: “What changes would you like to urge everyone working in live events, cinemas, the arts and theatres in the UK to demand as part of a new deal for freelancers and precarious workers?”

It attracted 559 participants, who created 226 thoughts which were rated 396 times. The top thoughts all related to the current COVID-19 crisis and highlighted demands for change in employment structures.

Some of the top thoughts relating to the coronavirus crisis were:

There should be option to choose to be self-employed or PAYE when working on short contracts. COVID-19 help has used broad categories and the mix of work we do mean people fall between cracks, in existing systems. Ranked 1 of 215

Regardless of how much of my earning were PAYE or freelance I should still be entitled to help even though I don’t meet the 50% self-employed threshold. I have been registered as self-employed for 7 years, however the past 3 I have primarily been paid as PAYE, I’m not entitled to help as a result. Ranked 2 of 215

The mix of PAYE and self employed work has always meant we suffer there should be a chance to choose on short contracts This is not limited to gaps in cov19 support, this also applies to things like getting rent reference checks and mortgages. Ranked 9 of 218