Bullying and Harassment Policy

[Broadwaykat]

Bullying and Harassment Policy

We've all said something off-color before - went a little far with a joke or said something without meaning to come off as offensive, but it almost always risks affecting someone negatively. To make it clear: telling a one-off offensive joke and being warned not to again does not count as "Harassment". Harassment is a pattern of behavior, the likes of which I hope to outline here.

It is the primary objective for all associated with FAD to ensure that the environment for members, volunteer staff and visitors ensures a positive roleplaying experience. We are committed to providing a secure and comfortable environment through relationships built on mutual respect, and to ensuring an environment for its members that is free from harassment and/or the fear of harassment. Every member has the right to expect to be treated fairly and with respect at all times. 

It is the staff's intent to take every reasonable measure to ensure that no member is subject to unwelcome conduct, whatever the source. Harassment in any form violates fundamental rights of personal dignity and integrity. 

In Character Vs. OOC

Not every character is going to get along; just like our members, they come with a variety of experiences and personalities, but in a roleplay it is always important to make one thing very clear: Just because a character in a roleplay may be a bully, does not mean that the member has free reign to be a bully outside of the game.

To help, Staff find the official Discord helpful for plotting and communicating out-of-character, making it clear between members that what two characters think of one another does not mean that it's carried through to the people behind them. For clarification, this rest of this policy will primarily be dealing with the OOC side of roleplay.

Harassment Defined

Harassment is defined as any unwanted physical, sexual, verbal or written conduct that offends, humiliates, or is intended to humiliate by its nature. Whether on a one-time basis or in a recurring series of incidents, harassment can have the effect of interfering with an individual's performance. It results in an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, and can result in a change in how the members' status is viewed within the group. Victims of harassment may begin to distance themselves from the environment or lose interest in something they were originally excited for. Harassment can consist of a single incident or several incidents that occur over time. To repeat, individuals have a right to be treated with respect. FAD, in exercising its responsibility to uphold this right, will endeavor to always provide a safe and healthy environment which is supportive of both productivity and the dignity of every person, including members and staff.

Policy

Harassment is a form of discrimination, occurring when a person or group is subjected (often repeatedly) to unwelcome comments or behaviors that are insulting, demeaning, or otherwise offensive. Common examples of harassment include:

• Name-calling.
• Comments that make fun of, belittle or insult people because of their sex, orientation, race, or physical or mental disability.
• Telling Offensive Jokes based on gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or racial stereotypes.
• Racist, sexist or anti-gay publications, statements or displays on-site.
• Any unwelcome behavior, such as starting rumors, that is engaged in, in whole or in part, because of a person's race, sexual orientation, or other similar personal characteristic.
• Sending Offensive Pictures or Materials.
• Comments made on a person's race or gender identity, and/or expression, sexuality, age, creed, place of origin, ethnicity, family or marital status.
• Forcing plotting ideas or actions In-Character that the member has repeatedly stated they do not wish to do.
• Repeatedly messaging someone who has not replied to a thread within hours in the hopes that they will reply faster.
• Unwanted/Continued Attention after it has been made clear it is not welcomed.

Harassment is harmful because it attacks the dignity and self-respect of the victim. It may negatively affect both the victim's ability to perform their duties and the work environment.

Procedure

In the event that a member feels harassed, the member is to contact the founders or members of Staff through either a verbal and/or written statement. The statement will be reviewed by Staff and appropriate action will be taken if required.

Administrators are available at varying times throughout the day. They can be found underneath the Staff section of the side-bar.

To keep things concise and clear, please only contact one Staff member. If you want a quick response, you can use a ping on the Discord (@staff) to put some feelers out for who may be around.

Warning Policy

Harassing behavior and negative work habits may result in a warning that such behavior is unacceptable. At the discretion of the staff, first offenses will result in either a verbal or written warning, depending on the degree of the infraction. Warnings will be issued by the founders or staff only, never any other members. Second warnings will always be written and delivered privately to the member being warned. A third warning may result in the termination, expulsion, or banning of the member in question, determined on a case-by-case basis by the Staff.

Immediate Banning

Certain behavior will not be tolerated. The Staff reserves the right to immediately terminate/expel/ban any member exhibiting the following:

• Continued harassing, disruptive or threatening behavior.
• Threats of Physical violence towards another member or member of staff.
• Doxxing.
• Proof of continued theft or use of copyrighted material without proper credit.
• Posting of non-PG-13 material on board or on the board's associated Discord.