Anti-Harassment Policy

East London Printmakers (ELP) is dedicated to providing a safe environment for all of its keyholders, members, contractors, tutors and visitors and will take any and all necessary steps to address and prevent harassment, bullying and discrimination at its studio, online or at events associated with ELP. 

The ELP Anti-Harassment Policy applies at all times in the studio and at all in-person and online events and interactions organized by or associated with ELP (e.g. meetings, exhibitions, art fairs, market stalls, meetings, social gatherings and interactions via ELP’s website or on ELP’s social media accounts).

What is harassment, bullying and discrimination?

Harassment, bullying and discrimination take many forms and can be either a single incident or a series of incidents. Examples include:

Unwelcome remarks, gestures or physical contact.
The display or circulation of offensive, derogatory or sexually explicit pictures or other materials, including by email and on the Internet
Offensive or derogatory jokes or comments (explicit or by innuendo)
Verbal or physical abuse or threats (e.g. stalking, body policing, unwelcome photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention or advances, and bullying or coercion).

Is disagreeing with someone always harassment?

Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or reasonable and respectful critique made in good faith. ELP continues to welcome and appreciate presentation of appropriate controversial ideas, free speech, and creative artistic expression. ELP encourages members to hold one another accountable to the Code of Conduct set out below and to take the perspectives of others seriously when a disagreement arises. 

Where appropriate, members should consider whether it would be better to attempt to resolve a disagreement amicably before making a formal complaint.

Code of Conduct 

We expect all participants printing/working at ELP studio, at ELP activities, meetings, and networking events to contribute to providing a safe and harassment-free environment for all keyholders, members, contractors, tutors and visitors 

Reporting Procedures

Any person who believes there has been a violation of the ELP Anti-Harassment Policy can report the incident by emailing the chair of ELP’s board of directors or, if the complaint is about the chair, the company secretary (their email addresses are at the end of this document). 

Reports should include a description of what happened, the date, and whenever possible, a list of witnesses or a reference to the relevant URLs, if the incident occurred online. 

ELP will investigate all complaints and take whatever action is necessary and appropriate to prevent a recurrence and ensure a safe environment at ELP. ELP will take steps to protect the confidentiality of the complaint, to the extent possible. However, complete confidentiality may not be possible in all circumstances. ELP will make every attempt to respond complaints in a timely fashion. If appropriate, ELP may report the incident to local authorities. 

Non-Retaliation 

Any retaliation against a member of the ELP community for reporting harassment, intimidation or discrimination, or for participating in an investigation relating to any complaint made under this policy will be treated as a violation of the ELP Anti-Harassment Policy. The same investigations will take place and the same sanctions will apply. 

Sanctions 

ELP takes all allegations of harassment seriously and will investigate all complaints falling within the scope of ELP’s Anti-Harassment Policy. Depending on the results of the investigation, ELP will determine whether a sanction is appropriate.

Sanctions applicable to keyholder members may include one or more of the following:

a warning that the behaviour is inappropriate and must not be repeated (see clause 17 of ELP’s Membership Terms & Conditions);
temporary suspension or termination of keyholder membership contract (see clause 17 of ELP’s Membership Terms & Conditions).

Sanctions applicable to keyholder members, associate members, board members, tutors, contractors and  speakers may include any of the following: 

a warning that the behaviour is inappropriate and must not be repeated; 
immediate removal (without refund) from a particular event; 
a temporary or permanent ban from ELP’s studio, events and/or online presence;
withholding of a contracted honorarium;
cancellation of future teaching or speaking engagements;
termination (without refund) of ELP associate membership;
temporary or permanent exclusion from ELP associate membership; and/or
removal from the board of directors, when appropriate. 

Confidentiality 

ELP will make every reasonable effort to conduct all investigations into allegations of harassment, bullying, or discrimination in a manner that will protect the confidentiality of all parties and witnesses. Notwithstanding the above, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and be informed of the allegations will be so informed. Parties to the complaint should treat the matter under investigation with discretion and respect the reputation of all parties involved. 

If you have questions regarding this policy, you may send an email to either chair@eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk
or

company_secretary@eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk
Please include the words “Anti-Harassment Policy” in the subject line.