The Weinstein Rule: No More Hotel Room Auditions

Netflix has entered into a contractual agreement with SAG-AFTRA (the actor’s union) which provides for certain pay requirements (including overtime rules and minimum salary provisions) but also includes specific language aimed at prohibiting sexual harassment in the industry.  Specifically, the agreement bans auditions in private residences and hotel rooms.  While it should go without saying, and I feel like I shouldn’t even have to type this, here is the lesson for the day:  all employers should ban interviews in hotel rooms and private residences.  There should not have to be a written policy which states that rule.  If you have a supervisor who insists on conducting interviews in their private residence or the Red Roof Inn, they should be unemployed. 

Interviews should be conducted in the office setting with two employer representatives present to ensure that nothing improper occurs and only appropriate questions are asked (meaning you should not ask an interviewee how old they are, if they are pregnant, their religion, or if they are a citizen).  Questions should focus on an applicant’s ability to perform the duties of the position and their role within the company, and the interview questions should be consistent for all applicants.  Above all else, the interview should not take place in a hotel room. 

For discussions on this area of law and a variety of other employment law topics, please register for our 2019 Labor and Employment Seminar which will be held on September 18, 2019.  To register, click the following link and fill out the registration form: https://www.hhe-law.com/seminars