Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct sets the standard of conduct expected of participants in The Future is Remote and its related online spaces. It sets the expectation that all participants will actively work to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment and strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Participation in The Future is Remote activities is conditional upon acceptance of the Code of Conduct.

If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, please submit a report by email to [email protected].

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to all aspects of The Future is Remote activities where individuals’ behaviour affects the ability of others to participate. This includes within the website, Event sessions, planning meetings, informal side meetings associated with the Events, social platforms, email discussion lists, and other related interactions. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants, including Attendees, Speakers, Sponsors, Volunteers, Exhibitors, and Visitors.

Standard of conduct

The Future is Remote seeks to offer a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for learning and sharing, guided by the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These values can only thrive in an environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, and discriminatory behaviour.

The standard of conduct at The Future is Remote and related spaces is set forth below. Anyone asked to cease behaviour in violation of this Code of Conduct is expected to comply immediately. Engaging in prohibited behaviour is subject to enforcement action, which may include being removed from the Event or its online spaces.

Behaviour that is expected and encouraged:

• Be respectful, inclusive, and accepting of others. Actively seek to challenge your personal biases, assumptions, and preconceived stereotypes. Approach differences with openness and curiosity.
• Be conscious of how your words and actions might harm others (even unintentionally). Take time to educate yourself on how to be more inclusive, and listen when someone takes the time to educate you.
• Be aware of privilege and power dynamics. If you find you are talking or commenting a lot, consider stepping back to leave more space for others. If you share the work or ideas of others, give credit where it is due.
• Be considerate of privacy and personal boundaries. Give others a chance to “opt-in” to personal interactions, and respect limits when they are set.
• Be constructive in offering criticism, and be gracious in accepting it. Consider “calling in” rather than “calling out,” and direct critiques toward ideas rather than people.
• Be committed to maintaining an educational environment.

Behaviour that is strictly prohibited:

• Discrimination, including unfavourable or disparate treatment to others because of any aspect of their identity, appearance, or protected class.
• Harassment and harassing behaviour, including use of epithets and slurs, derogatory or hostile comments, repeated attempts to make contact, or any behaviour that interferes with another person’s participation in the Event.
• Sexual harassment, including use of sexual images, jokes of a sexual or gendered nature, or any unwelcome contact of a sexual nature in any medium.

Definitions of prohibited behaviour

This section provides further definitions for what constitutes prohibited behaviour under Standard of conduct section.

1. Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when a participant is denied equal opportunity and suffers unfavourable or disparate treatment because of that individual’s identity, which may include their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or other protected categories under the law.

2. Harassment and harassing behaviour

Harassment is unwelcome conduct (whether physical, verbal, written, or via technology) that is based on a person’s identity or protected class, which may include their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, religion, veteran status, or other protected categories under the law. Moreover, harassing behaviour not based on any of the above discriminatory factors that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment also is unacceptable and subject to enforcement action under the Code of Conduct. Harassment and harassing behaviour has the purpose or potential effect of interfering with an individual’s ability to participate in The Future is Remote Events.

Some examples of harassment include (but are not limited to):

• Offensive comments related to a person’s identity or protected class
• Using epithets, slurs or stereotypes
• Mocking, ridiculing, or mimicking another’s culture, accent, appearance, or custom
• Deliberate intimidation, threats of violence, or incitement of violence (including encouraging self-harm)
• Stalking or following
• Harassing photography or recording, including logging online activity for harassment purposes
• Continued one-on-one communication after requests to cease
• Publication of private information, including private communications (unless publication is necessary to protect oneself or others from intentional abuse) or deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent.

3. Sexual harassment

Sexual Harassment encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical behaviour of a sexual or gendered nature that interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in The Future is Remote activities or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment can include such behaviours as unwanted touching or unwelcome conduct (whether physical, verbal, written, or via technology) of a sexual or gendered nature.  

Some examples of sexual harassment include (but are not limited to):

• Unwelcome and repeated flirtations, propositions, advances, staring, or other sexual attention
• Unwelcome physical contact
• Use of sexually suggestive language, gestures, or sounds (including whistling)
• Display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures
• Offensive, insulting, derogatory, or degrading remarks related to sex or gender
• Unwelcome comments about appearance
• Deliberate misgendering, including deadnaming (referring to someone who has changed their name by their previous name) and intentional use of pronouns that do not correspond to a person’s gender identity or specified preference
• Sexual jokes or use of sexually explicit or offensive language
• Gender- or sex-based pranks
• Demands for sexual favours in exchange for favourable or preferential treatment.

Confidentiality and anonymity

Those submitting Code of Conduct reports may request confidentiality. The Future is Remote takes confidentiality seriously and will protect confidentiality in the reporting process to every extent possible. Confidential information will be circulated to the minimum number of people necessary to process the report, and documentation will be handled with utmost sensitivity.

Reports may be submitted anonymously. Our staff will treat your anonymous report with the utmost discretion and seriousness. We are here to listen, support, and address your concerns, whether you choose to reveal your identity or not.