Red Stitch - Melbourne Theatre - Policy - Code of Conduct

Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. We do not tolerate or condone any form of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment or bullying in the workplace. 

This Code of Conduct outlines expected standards of behaviour by all employees at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre. All employees must comply with this Code of Conduct. A breach of this Code of Conduct may lead to disciplinary action, result in termination of your contract with Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, and/or, if the breach is of a criminal nature, may be reported to the police. 

SCOPE 

For the purposes of this Code of Conduct, employees are defined as: 

  • Board members 

  • Leadership and management personnel (e.g. Ensemble members, Artistic Director, General Manager) 

  • Production and venue personnel (e.g. actors, creatives, writers, stage management, technical crew, front of house staff) 

  • Full-time, part-time, and casual employees 

  • Student placements, apprentices, work experience students/interns 

  • Contractors, sub-contractors 

  • Volunteers 

This Code of Conduct applies to all employees while: 

  • at work – such as rehearsals, performances, production tours 

  • at work-related functions – such as Christmas parties, after parties, conferences 

  • outside of work where there is a connection to the workplace – such as when using social media 

PRINCIPLES

  • Employees should perform their duties with professionalism and integrity, and effectively and efficiently service the Company and the public. 

  • Employees should ensure the confidentiality of all matters pertaining to the Company’s business and operations. 

  • Fairness and equity should be observed by employees in all official dealings, including dealings with the public and other Company employees. 

  • Real or apparent conflicts of interest should be avoided. However, employees should not be subject to unnecessary restrictions on their private activities purely as a result of their employment with the Company, where such activities do not involve a conflict of interest or adversely affect their work performance. 

  • Employees should follow the Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre Policies in their dealings with other employees and the public. 

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre’s employees are responsible for promoting a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace environment by: 

  • Treating all employees and audiences/patrons/customers with dignity, courtesy and respect 

  • Respecting cultural, ethnic, religious, gender and sexual orientation differences 

  • Behaving in a professional, fair and courteous manner at all times 

  • Promptly reporting any breaches of this Code of Conduct, and any of the Company’s policies - as detailed in the Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre Reporting, Complaint Handling and Investigation Procedures. 

  • Maintaining confidentiality when complaints are made and/or under investigation 

  • Abiding by all applicable laws and regulations. 

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS

Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre’s employees must not

  • Abuse or threaten to abuse (verbally, physically or in writing) another person 

  • Physically or sexually assault another person 

  • Discriminate or unfavourably treat someone because of their race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristics 

  • Intimidate, threaten or harass another person 

  • Sexually harass another person with unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited behaviour 

  • Bully, isolate or humiliate another person 

  • Victimise, unjustly treat or threaten someone because they have raised a complaint or are a witness in an investigation 

  • Behave unethically 

  • At any time, allow the consumption of alcohol or restricted or dangerous drugs to adversely affect their work performance or official conduct; and 

  • Consume alcohol while on duty except as provided for under the company’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Employees have a right to make public comment and enter into public debate on political and social issues. However, there are circumstances where public comment or debate by employees is not acceptable. These include circumstances where: 

  • A public comment made in a private capacity gives rise to public perception that it is some way an official comment of the Company; 

  • An employee is directly involved in advising on or directing the implementation or administration of Company policy, and public comment would compromise the employee’s ability to do so; 

  • A public comment amounts to criticism sufficiently strong or persistent to give rise to a perception that the employee is not prepared to implement or administer policies of the Company; 

  • A public comment on Company administration causes serious disruption in the workplace; and 

  • A public comment amounts to a personal attack. 

Where employees are in any doubt as to the propriety of a proposed public comment they should consult with the Board, or an agreed representative of the Board in this regard, and should observe any directions made by the Board governing public comment. 

RELATED POLICIES

This Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with: 

ALSO AVAILABLE

PRIVACY POLICY

WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY

REPORTING, COMPLAINT HANDLING & INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

TICKETING TERMS & CONDITIONS