Union launches comedians’ charter

The Equity performing arts practitioners’ union launched a comedians’ charter at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last month. It is a set of standards for venues and promoters to sign up to and ensure good working practices and safety. It includes measures to ensure pay transparency as well as a safe working environment, late night safety, and anti-harassment and discrimination policies. 


The charter sets out that venues should communicate the available facilities in their space to acts clearly in advance, along with whether they are shared and who they are shared with. They should also provide clear and transparent information about parking and public transport routes. Anti-harassment and discrimination policies should be clearly visible in venues, made available to acts when they are booked for a gig, and visible online when audience members purchase tickets.


Equity will now develop a pack for venues and promoters with comprehensive guidance on adopting the charter, including template policies.


• In July, Newcastle City Council unanimously agreed to develop a new policy to make granting new late-night licences dependent on venues putting on free transport for staff after 11.30pm. It is the latest council to take action following the launch of the Unite general union’s Get me home safely campaign. Among the campaign demands is that local authorities make free transport home for staff a prerequisite for all new liquor licences.