Expanding the Possibilities With the Entertainment Ombuds
A Writer’s Dilemma
A writer spent months helping shape a television series about their own community. They’d been in the room for the hardest conversations – about authenticity, about who gets to tell which stories, about getting it right. So when the staffing list for the next season came out and their name, along with the names of the other Black and Brown writers who’d built the show, wasn’t on it, the decision was distressing.
The writer felt trapped. Speaking up could mean being labeled difficult. Staying silent meant accepting it. They didn’t know what reporting options existed, what the process looked like if they pursued one, or whether any path would protect their ability to keep working in the industry.
As far as they knew, the only real option was either staying silent or a formal production investigation – a process they feared could end in their showrunner’s firing, retaliation, or litigation they didn’t want.
This writer’s dilemma is common. Among respondents to the Hollywood Commission's Entertainment Survey, 25% said they chose not to report the most serious incident they witnessed because they believed they'd be labeled difficult to work with.
Fear of retaliation, being shut out of future work, speaking up and being punished for it — these are among the most consequential barriers to accountability in the entertainment industry.
The writer's assumption that formal investigation was the primary option is itself part of the challenge. When employees don't know what resources are available to them before something goes wrong, the most visible option becomes the only option they can imagine.
The Solution
The writer contacted the Hollywood Commission’s Entertainment Ombuds, a confidential third-party resource distinct from HR or legal channels, where workers can explore options without triggering a formal process.
“This is a place of tailoring; we always start from a place of comfort. Some people know that a legal path is not for them. I assess on a case-by-case basis and suggest options ranging from formal to informal. In this case, the person was concerned about the possibility of getting rehired by this studio, so my suggestions were framed by their caution.” — Lillian Rivera, the Entertainment Ombuds
Working with the Ombuds, the writer learned that the choices were not binary. Between silence and formal investigation lay a range of options, some that could surface the issue without identifying the writer at all.
The Impact
What initially felt like a high-stakes, all-or-nothing decision became something the writer could actually navigate. After a single visit, the writer left with a plan they felt good about, a clearer understanding of rights and options, and connections to people inside the company who could support them going forward. The fear that had defined the writer’s situation gave way to a sense that their career was not on the line for asking questions.
The deeper impact extends beyond this one case. When workers know that informal, confidential support exists and are aware of it before a crisis, they're more likely to come forward. That’s a shift that benefits employers too: issues surface while they’re still solvable, before silence becomes something costlier for everyone. It’s the shift the Ombuds role is designed to create.
"While a formal process may be the most helpful option for some, without the right assistance, clear instructions, or a contingency plan, it can create a difficult situation for workers who need to maintain their employment while seeking help." — Lillian Rivera, the Entertainment Ombuds
About the ombuds
Lillian Rivera (she/they) is the Entertainment Industry Ombuds.
The Ombuds is an unbiased resource to help members of your organization navigate their experience and/or explore available reporting options and next steps.
Lillian serves in an informal capacity and does not have the authority to act on behalf of any member of your organization.
Click here to learn more and schedule time with the Ombuds.
About the Hollywood Commission
Led by board members Anita Hill, Chair and President; Cindy Holland; Alan Jenkins; Kathleen Kennedy; John Landgraf; and Nina Shaw, The Hollywood Commission brings together 26 companies, unions, guilds, academies, and talent agencies to end harassment, discrimination, bullying, and abuse in the entertainment industry.
Click here to learn more.