Chapter 405 - The Walls Are Breached - Part 8
Monday, continued …
Yao Tan handed the microphone to Anna "While what may seem acceptable behaviour here may not be tolerated in other countries you end up working in. In Australia, where I am from behaviour including bullying, harassment, sexual assault, and workplace behaviour that places people's well-being at risk is not accepted. It could leave you facing civil claims or criminal charges."
"I am not professing to be an expert in the law in every country, the code of conduct that you will be signing makes it clear that you will follow standards as to workplace behaviour acceptable in that country. Every effort will be made to ensure that you have the information to comply with that requirement."
After receiving the microphone from Anna, Amanda continued. "Finally, and Anna and myself will be here after this meeting for anyone who wishes to speak to us immediately, comes to a point in the code of conduct. You will be required to immediately act if you see any person being sexually harassed, abused or manipulated in the entertainment field including for the purposes of furthering their careers."
"While it has been tolerated in the industry, we will not continue to tolerate it. You as artists, and behind the scenes staff deserve a safe and secure workplace free from such behaviour, as much as Anna and myself have working in an office. And this is a warning, if any artist, director, producer or other behind the scenes staff member is found to engage in such behaviour your contract will be terminated immediately. No warnings."
"For victims of such behaviours, we will assist you to navigate the legal system to have your perpetrators face prosecution, support those who have observed the behaviour to make reports of what they have seen. For perpetrators who admit their behaviour before charges are brought we will assist in you to deal with the consequences of your actions, but those who do not admit their behaviour you will face the consequences on your own and potentially be terminated."
"We are drawing a line as of today regarding acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Over the next few months, there will be a course, run multiple times, for you all to understand what is acceptable behaviour. You will be required to complete this course as part of your employment."
After receiving the microphone back Yao Tan continued "You will all be handed a copy of the code of conduct, and it will be dated as to when you received it. You have a week to read it, obtain your own legal advice if you wish and return it. We ask those present to please write your name so we do not email you a copy of this as well. Additionally we will make available a list of contact details for both XF International and Hou Enterprises Entertainment Divisions and the new joint venture in case you require them."
"For those with existing contracts or contracts coming up for renewal, you can remain where you are or request a new contract with the joint venture. You will simply have to elect where you will go if the joint venture ends up. You are not obliged to make this decision if your contract still has time to run. There is no pressure on any of you."
"CEO Hou and I will remain to answer technical questions for ten minutes, as we have other matters to get to. Our wives however have agreed to stay until 12:30pm for anyone who wishes to discuss matters relating to anything that we have raised."
With that Yao Tan and Hou YI stood up and moved off to the side, while Anna and Amanda remained sitting down. Some senior managers within their entertainment divisions came up to speak to them about various operational matters, while quietly watching their views. For them both, it was obvious that they were getting asked questions in relation to the code of conduct, which they seemed in just the few minutes they observed them, they were handling promptly and quickly.
As Yao Tan and Hou Yi headed our three young women approached Anna, very timidly. As soon as they quietly spoke to her, she tapped Amanda on the shoulder and said something to her. With that Amanda moved across the stage as to give Anna some privacy.
As they were exiting the room Yao Tan quietly said to Hou Yi "One of those young women who approached your wife was the one I thought had something to say"
"Do not worry my friend both our wives can handle matter. And most importantly given we want to protect those working for us and the joint venture they know that crimes have to be reported."