The Workshop Code of Conduct

 

This policy is designed to clearly communicate our standards of behavior for our members and the process for reporting violations of these standards. We are committed to having an inclusive community embracing different perspectives and viewpoints. And we are equally dedicated to providing a safe and productive experience for everyone who practices in THE WORKSHOP and to treating everyone with respect. That means that misconduct, including but not limited to harassment in any form, will not be tolerated. Members* violating these standards jeopardize losing the privilege of membership (without a refund) at the discretion of The Workshop. Our policy is as follows:

 

Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors at The Workshop, or in connection with THE WORKSHOP-sponsored/affiliated activities or events: 

• Sexual harassment, which includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when, for example, submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or participation in The Workshop-sponsored activity, or submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions. Sexual harassment also can occur when a member is subjected to discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, or insult by another member or employee, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it creates an abusive environment, or an environment where the member feels uncomfortable. 

• Sexual harassment may include a range of subtle and not so subtle behaviors and may involve individuals of the same or different gender. You can be harassed by an employee, a co-worker, or a member at THE WORKSHOP’s office or at an THE WORKSHOP-sponsored/affiliated event or activity, and the conduct need not be sexual; a pattern of profanity or rudeness based on your gender, for example, might constitute sexual harassment. Other examples of behavior that might constitute sexual harassment, depending on the circumstances, include, but are not limited to, publicly indecent behavior**; subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors; repeated and unwelcome sexual jokes, innuendo, advances, or propositions; repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature; repeated and unwelcome graphic commentary about an individual's body, sexual prowess or sexual deficiencies; repeated leering or insulting or obscene comments or gestures; and other physical, verbal or visual conduct of a sexual nature.

• Harassing, physically threatening, or physically or verbally abusing any person because of, but not limited to, that person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or viewpoint.

• Conducting oneself in a manner endangering the health or safety of another person. 

• Exhibiting disorderly conduct, including but not limited to, abuse of controlled substances or overt drunkenness.

• Bringing any weaponry, firearms, dangerous chemicals, or any materials specifically banned by the chapter and/or venue space to an THE WORKSHOP sponsored activity or event.

• Defacing property.

• Any social media posting reflecting any of the above behavior occurring at an THE WORKSHOP-sponsored/affiliated event or activity.

 

Other misconduct

Failing to respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the course of the member’s professional engagements, unless compelled by law to divulge the information.

 

Making intentionally false communications, either written, spoken, or posted on any social media, that harms a member’s or the organization’s reputation.

 

 

Stealing or misappropriating any property (including digital) belonging to another member or the association. This includes all materials developed for or on behalf of THE WORKSHOP chapter without the express permission of the member and/or chapter.

 

Reporting misconduct

 

The safety, well-being and professional reputations of our members and participants is of the utmost importance. If someone engages in behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, you are urged to address the situation.

 

If you feel comfortable doing so, you are encouraged to first speak to the person directly, asking him or her to cease the misconduct. If you are not comfortable confronting the person directly or if the misconduct continues, you are urged to report the behavior to a representative of the THE WORKSHOP team, whose office is responsible for Code of Conduct matters.

 

While confidentiality will be respected to the extent possible, allegations of illegal behavior must be investigated and must be based on a written complaint. If you are uncomfortable putting your complaint in writing, the person to whom you brought the allegations will create a written complaint and ask you to review and correct it and to then sign the final version. Complaints will be maintained in a confidential file.

 

You should be assured that there will be no retaliation against you for making good faith claims.

 

How complaints are investigated:

  

Persons accused will also be interviewed. They will be provided with a copy of the written complaint against them, asked to respond, and asked to identify any relevant witnesses and produce relevant documents. They also will be warned about the need to protect the accuser from retaliation.

 

Persons with relevant information will also be interviewed. During the interview, they will be told of the need for confidentiality and the need to protect accusers from retaliation.

 

Relevant documents will be reviewed.

 

*Members include all membership at any level

 

**Publicly indecent behavior is defined as:

Obscene or indecent acts, characterized by, or for the purpose of becoming aroused.

Sexual behaviors that are unlawful in nature and are performed with the intention of arousing the perpetrator or the person to whom the behavior is directed.