Diversity FAQ | Screen Actors Guild

What Should I Do?

What should I do if I believe I have been discriminated against or sexually harassed?

If you believe that you are being, or have been, discriminated against or sexually harassed in any way, you should:

Call SAG

Immediately report the conduct to the SAG Affirmative Action/Diversity Department by calling them directly in Hollywood at (323) 549-6646 or New York (212) 827-1542 during business hours or call the SAG Complaint Hotline at (800) 724-0767 after hours.
Talk to us
Upon receipt of your call, SAG staff will contact you to obtain basic information about the incident to determine the most appropriate course of action. SAG staff will also assist you in determining whether any immediate or emergency action needs to be taken, particularly if you believe you are in danger of possible physical harm or other serious injury.
Write to us

If there is no immediate threat, SAG staff may ask you to fill out the SAG Membership Discrimination & Harassment Complaint Questionnaire in order to gather more information.
Open an official file

Upon receipt of the Questionnaire, SAG will open an official file for the incident, which will be kept confidential unless you wish to continue to file a formal complaint.
File a complaint
If SAG staff deem it appropriate, SAG will provide notice to the producer/agent/director of the member complaint via a formal written complaint. The Guild will send a copy of our policy regarding discrimination and harassment along with a letter advising the producer, agent or executive of the complaint and requiring that the company investigate the complaint and take immediate action to remedy any inappropriate conduct.

Remember: Neither discrimination nor harassment is your fault. When you see or become a victim of discrimination or harassment, don’t ignore it and don’t pretend it did not happen. Every action you take against this behavior means it is less likely to be repeated. You have a responsibility to yourself and your fellow Guild members to see that all performers are treated with respect in the job search and in the workplace.

Diversity FAQ

How do I stay informed about the events in the Affirmative Action/Diversity Department?

The best way to be notified about the events is to join a specific distribution list. Send an email to affirmativeactionrsvp@sag.org and let them know which list you would like to join: Women, Seniors, Performers with Disabilities, African American, Latino/Hispanic, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, and/or LGBT.

Are casting directors allowed to ask me about my age, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation?

Absolutely not. Casting directors are prohibited from asking such questions during the hiring process. But the reality of the audition experience often includes such inquiries, and an actor may not want to appear uncooperative by not answering the question or by informing the casting director that he or she is not allowed to ask that question.

More often than not, the casting director is not asking the question in order to exclude certain groups but, rather, to determine if you fit the character description.

Regardless of an actor wanting to avoid a potentially uncomfortable situation, and regardless of the casting director’s reasons for asking, actors should be aware that it is illegal to ask for this information.

So what should you do?
Different people use different tactics when facing this situation. For example, playing it coy by saying “I can be whatever you want me to be,” or perhaps your best bet is to gently remind the casting director that he or she should not be asking you that question.

If they insist, you should feel comfortable telling them that they can call someone in the SAG Diversity office for clarification at (323) 549-6646 or (212) 827-1433.

But remember, the bottom line is they are not allowed to ask, and therefore, you are under no obligation to answer.