The Equality Act states that you must not be discriminated against on the basis of your age in a number of circumstances:
- You are, or are not, in a certain age group.
- Someone thinks you are, or are not, part of a certain age group. This is known as discrimination by perception.
- You are connected (for example related) to someone of a certain age group. This is known as discrimination by association.
Circumstances when being treated differently due to age may be lawful
The Equality Act does allow for instances where discrimination is lawful where the producer or engager etc, can argue that the discrimination is objectively justified. This may be, for example, in seeking to cast a historical character based on their age at a certain point in time.
However, we would seek to challenge any objective justification where we felt the discrimination faced by a member or members was unlawful. Get in touch with us if you feel you’ve been discriminated against unlawfully.
Our work to combat age discrimination
We fight to protect members from discrimination and improve their status regardless of their age. Here are examples of our recent work in this area:
Protecting members who experience the perimenopause and menopause
We seek to improve statutory protections for people experiencing the perimenopause and menopause As part of this, we’re developing guidance for producers and engagers in good workplace practice to make sure the right support measures are in place.
Minimum fees and protections for minors
We secured minimum fees in the PACT Cinema Films Agreement (CFA) for children (aged 10-17). This means that minors are guaranteed a minimum of 50% of all adult minimum fees and payments. It also means they’re entitled to Use Fees and to participate in Royalty Payments / Net Profit Share in recognition of their performer rights.
Casting questions card
Our Casting Questions Card helps members know their rights to protection from discrimination during the casting process, including on the basis of age. It supports members to assert the standard of playing age, rather than biological age.
