At ALWAYS it is our priority to ensure we provide the best experience for our clients and artists. We will always foster a safe, inspiring and inclusive space, free of harassment and discrimination of any kind.
ANTI-HARASSMENT AND ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
ALWAYS is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities. The goal of this policy is to create a safe and inclusive space, to prevent harassment and discrimination, to promote human rights within the organization, and to define principles and standards for behaviour.
Harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated, condoned or ignored at ALWAYS. Immediate action will be taken by management on observations or allegations of harassment or discrimination. For artists & employees, violating this code this means disciplinary measures up to, and including termination of residency and banning from future entry. For clients, this means asking them to leave the space and/or banning from future entry.
We are committed to a comprehensive strategy to address harassment and discrimination, including:
Promoting appropriate standards of conduct at all times.
Providing guidelines including a list of prohibited behaviour.
Sharing educational resources and hosting discussions to ensure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities.
Regularly monitoring the organization for barriers and issues.
Providing an effective and fair complaints procedure (work in progress).
PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR
All persons present at ALWAYS are expected to uphold and abide by this policy, by refraining from any form of harassment or discrimination, and by cooperating fully in any investigation of a complaint.
Discrimination: means any form of unequal treatment based on a Code ground, whether imposing extra burdens or denying benefits based on factors such as but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability or disability, body type, and/or other grounds. It may be intentional or unintentional. Discrimination may take obvious forms, or it may happen in very subtle ways. We have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind.
Examples of discrimination include:
Denying tattoo services based on factors including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability or disability, body type, and/or other discriminatory grounds.
Denying specific colours, designs or placements, based on discriminatory factors listed above.
Exclusion or isolation of clients or co-workers based on discriminatory factors listed above.
Use of discriminatory and/or offensive language including but not exclusive to racial slurs, sexist idioms, proverbs and expressions.
Use of racist imagery or any inappropriate symbolism that promotes hate or violence.
Harassment: means a course of comments or actions that are known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome. It can involve words or actions that are known or should be known to be offensive, embarrassing, humiliating, demeaning or unwelcome, based on a ground of discrimination identified by this policy. Harassment can occur based on any of the grounds of discrimination.
Examples of harassment include:
Epithets, remarks, jokes or innuendos related to a person’s race, gender identity, gender expression, sex, disability, sexual orientation, creed, age, or any other ground.
Posting or circulating offensive pictures, graffiti or materials, whether in print form or via e-mail or other electronic means.
Singling out a person for humiliating or demeaning “teasing” or jokes because they are a member of a Code-protected group.
Comments ridiculing a person because of characteristics that are related to a ground of discrimination. For example, this could include comments about a person’s dress, speech or other practices that may be related to their sex, race, gender identity or creed.
If a person does not explicitly object to harassing behaviour, or appears to be going along with it, this does not mean that the behaviour is okay. The behaviour could still be considered harassment under the Code.
Sexual harassment & solicitation: Our policy prohibits sexual solicitations or advances by any person who is in a position to grant or deny a benefit to the recipient of the solicitation or advance. This includes managers and supervisors, co-workers, and client-artist relations where one person is in a position to grant or deny a benefit to the other. Reprisals for rejecting such advances or solicitations are also not allowed.
Examples of sexual harassment and solicitation include:
Gender-related comments about a person’s physical characteristics or mannerisms.
Paternalism based on gender which a person feels undermines his or her self respect or position of responsibility.
Unwelcome physical contact.
Suggestive or offensive remarks or innuendoes about members of a specific gender.
Propositions of physical intimacy.
Gender-related verbal abuse, threats or taunting.
Leering or inappropriate staring.
Bragging about sexual prowess or questions or discussions about sexual activities.
Offensive jokes or comments of a sexual nature about an employee or client.
Rough and vulgar humour or language related to gender.
Display of sexually offensive pictures, graffiti or other materials including through electronic means.
Demands for dates or sexual favours.