ANTI-BULLYING AND ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
Effective date: 31 July 2025
1. PURPOSE
AR Studios Ltd is committed to creating and maintaining an environment — across all our productions, projects, and offices — that is safe, inclusive, and respectful for all. This policy sets out our zero-tolerance stance on bullying, harassment, and any behaviour that threatens the physical or emotional safety of our people. If you are unable to uphold these standards, you are not welcome at AR Studios.
2. SCOPE
This policy applies to everyone who works with AR Studios Ltd — including but not limited to:
• Freelancers
• Contractors
• Employees
• Talent and on-screen contributors
• Executive producers, directors, and heads of department
• Collaborators and partner organisations
• Interns and trainees
• Third-party vendors and crew
It applies on set, in the office, during development, in virtual spaces, over messaging platforms, and at all affiliated events.
2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
AR Studios Ltd is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination, workplace health and safety, and data protection. This includes but is not limited to the Equality Act 2010, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Employment Rights Act 1996, and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR). This policy is designed to uphold those legal standards across all our operations and collaborations.
3. OUR ZERO-TOLERANCE STANCE
We will not tolerate any form of:
Bullying — including intimidation, humiliation, shouting, exclusion, passive-aggressive remarks, or repeated undermining of others
Harassment — including sexual harassment, unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, or persistent attention
Discrimination — based on race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion, class, neurodiversity, appearance, or any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010
Abuse of power — including senior figures creating hostile environments, gatekeeping, gaslighting, retaliation, or exploiting junior staff
Retaliation — against anyone who reports inappropriate behaviour or cooperates with an investigation
We do not tolerate “brilliant jerks.” Talent is never an excuse for cruelty.
4. DEFINITIONS
Bullying is unwanted behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated, degraded, humiliated, or offended. It can be obvious or subtle, direct or behind someone’s back.
Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct that violates someone’s dignity or creates a hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
Sexual Harassment includes but is not limited to:
Sexual jokes, remarks, or comments about appearance
Inappropriate physical contact or proximity
Unwanted flirting, messaging, or suggestions
Abuse of power to secure romantic or sexual attention
5. REPORTING AND CONFIDENTIALITY
We encourage immediate reporting of any concerns. You can report to:
The production manager or line producer (their contact information will be provided to all crew and cast members during pre-production)
A designated safeguarding officer (DSO) - this will usually be the production manager or line producer, and will be communicated to all cast and crew in pre-production.
If your concern relates to the production manager or line producer, contact the company’s CEO (via this email info@arstudiosltd.com)
All reports will be:
Taken seriously
Investigated quickly and fairly
Kept confidential to the extent possible
Retaliation of any kind is grounds for immediate removal.
5.a. Grievance and Investigation Process
AR Studios Ltd is committed to a fair, thorough, and timely investigation of all reports of bullying, harassment, and misconduct. Individuals who raise concerns or complaints will be supported and protected from retaliation throughout the process.
While individuals found to have breached this policy will not be offered an appeal, AR Studios Ltd ensures that all investigative procedures are conducted in accordance with principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
5.b. Data Protection and Confidentiality
All personal data collected as part of reporting, investigating, or addressing incidents will be handled in strict confidence and stored securely, in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
Access to such data will be limited to those directly involved in the investigation or management of the complaint, and only to the extent necessary for those purposes.
6. CONSEQUENCES FOR BREACHING THIS POLICY
AR Studios Ltd reserves the right to take any of the following actions, depending on the severity of the misconduct:
Immediate removal from set or production
Termination of employment or contract without notice
Blacklisting from future AR Studios projects
Reporting to agents, commissioners, and partner organisations
Referral to law enforcement if appropriate
Removal of screen credit or removal from awards submissions.
No appeal will be offered to individuals found to have breached this policy. Our duty of care is to those harmed, not those who cause harm.
6.a. Information Sharing and Confidentiality
AR Studios Ltd may share verified and substantiated reports or evidence of misconduct with relevant production partners, agents, broadcasters, commissioners, and other stakeholders only after obtaining legal counsel’s advice to ensure compliance with confidentiality, data protection laws, and fairness.
Unauthorised disclosure of any information related to complaints, investigations, or disciplinary actions, including gossip or informal sharing, is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
6.b. Exclusion from Events and Activities
AR Studios Ltd reserves the exclusive right to exclude any individual from participation in any promotional activities, screenings, public events, awards ceremonies, or other activities associated with any project bearing the company’s name. Such exclusion may be applied in instances where the individual has breached this policy or engaged in conduct deemed detrimental to the company’s reputation, productions, or collaborators.
7. REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES
AR Studios Ltd recognises that some instances of bullying, harassment, or misconduct may constitute criminal offences under UK law (e.g. sexual assault, physical assault, stalking, threats, or hate-motivated abuse).
Any individual who believes they have been subjected to criminal behaviour is strongly encouraged to report the matter directly to the police.
AR Studios Ltd will support any employee, freelancer, or third party who wishes to make a police report.
Where there is a serious safeguarding concern or risk to public safety, AR Studios Ltd reserves the right to report the matter directly to law enforcement, especially where a vulnerable person is at risk, or if the Company has statutory obligations to do so.
The Company’s internal grievance, mediation, or disciplinary procedures are not a substitute for police investigation or criminal proceedings, and individuals are not required to exhaust internal routes before seeking police involvement.
8. WHAT WE EXPECT FROM EVERYONE
Every contributor, regardless of seniority, is expected to:
• Treat others with dignity and kindness
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Speak up if you see abuse or bullying
• Co-operate fully with any investigation
Silence in the face of bullying is complicity. We protect whistleblowers and allies.
9. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
We will provide:
Mental health resources and referrals
A named safeguarding contact for all productions (external to the production team or AR Studios employees if necessary).
A brief anti-bullying briefing at the start of every shoot
Optional anonymous feedback channels
10. CLOSING STATEMENT
AR Studios is unapologetic about protecting its people. If your behaviour creates fear, humiliation, or harm, you will not work with us, on anything that bears our name.