Code of Conduct

Let’s build a more inclusive community

Why we’ve decided to launch a new coworking Code of Conduct and why this is an important first step in the right direction for existing members, future members, and us!

With constantly changing times, and many of us in a process of reflection and self-improvement, we too as an organisation are seeing things with fresh eyes, redefining and shaping the kind of space we want to be. As a diverse community, we learn and grow together. We believe that what happens inside our studio and space is a reflection of what’s happening in society and that by exploring challenges and thinking proactively together, we can discover new ideas and approaches.

Rabble Studio is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, age, national origin, social status, religious affiliation or marital or parental status. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Members violating these rules may face consequences including, but not limited to, expulsion from our space and membership without a refund.

By becoming a member, you are agreeing to abide by these Code of Conduct. We expect our community to help us realise a safe and positive experience for everyone.

At Rabble Studio we strive every day to empower all of our members and creative geniuses to innovate, make connections, and have fun in the process.

We do so by providing them with a welcoming space to call home, a community to connect with, and skills to match their ambitions.

We envision a world where everyone, regardless of race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, and physical appearance, is empowered to innovate, creativity is celebrated and technology fosters equality.

We believe that diversity is a powerful tool to help build strength within any community. That’s why we want to provide and build an inclusive environment for members of all backgrounds to enjoy and get stuff done!

This code of conduct contains our expectations for everyone who uses the space, whether as a studio manager as a co-worker, or as an organiser or attendee of events.

This code of conduct applies not only in our physical spaces, but also to online spaces, at all related events at Rabble Studio or elsewhere, and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of community business.

It also states the consequences of violating these expectations.

We invite you, as Rabble Studio members, coworkers, event organisers, supporters, and visitors to help us create a safer space and positive experiences for everyone.

With regards to each other

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration and negotiation before conflict. At the end of the day, we are all adults, so if something is bothering you, you should respectfully say something and try to resolve the problem. This is obviously preferable to allowing issues to fester and build up, making your time in the studio uncomfortable. We do expect members to manage and police their own behaviour.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow coworkers.
• Apologise sincerely when you hurt someone.
• Recognise the effects of your actions are more important than your intent. Intervene directly (or find someone to help) when witnessing abusive behaviour of any degree.
• Alert Rabble Studio staff or event organisers if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or breaking this code of conduct, even if it seems inconsequential.

What Constitutes Harassment?

Just so we are all clear, this is not a grey area. However, just in case you would like clarification, harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal comments that are offensive and reinforce discrimination based on gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, caste, social status, or religion.
• Sexually-charged jokes, statements, or comments.
• Creation or display of sexual images in public spaces.
• Prejudicial surveillance, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwanted following.
• Harassing photography or video/audio recording.
• Sustained disruption of talks or other events and collaborations – aka ‘Trolling’.
• Any threat of violence.
• The incitement of violence towards any other individual, encouraging any form of self-harm/suicide.
• The sharing of images or links to news stories/articles that may be disturbing to others e.g. violence, genocide, or sexual assault without the use of content warnings.
• Inappropriate social and physical contact – simulated physical contact (e.g., textual descriptions like “*hug*” or “*backrub*”) without consent or after a request to stop.
• The continuation of one-on-one communication after requests to stop.
• Deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent except when correcting someone or as necessary to protect vulnerable people from intentional abuse.
• Non-consensual publication of private correspondence including but not limited to direct messages and private channels, text messages, or emails.
• Unwelcome comments regarding a person’s lifestyle choices and practices, including those related to food, health, parenting, drugs, and employment.
• Use of inappropriate language that could alienate or disparage others.
• Invasion of personal space.
• Intimidation – in any form, including online or in person.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour.

These behaviours, as well as others below, are not conducive to a welcoming environment and are therefore prohibited in all spaces (physical and virtual) that are encompassed in this agreement.

Inclusive Language

As language is both a reflection of, and a contributor towards, culture, we ask that all members use language that demonstrates the best aspects of coworking culture and avoid language that could alienate or disparage others.

There is no place for language that is openly or casually degrading to a person or group. Any words or phrases, no matter how seemingly innocuous, that perpetuate negative stereotypes and communicate exclusion are not allowed. Some of these can be subtle and said without ill-will, which is why we encourage members to examine their own language and use this guide as an opportunity for learning. 

Pronouns

It is important to be aware that different pronouns exist and you can never know how someone identifies until they have communicated and expressed it. Everyone is expected to respect each other’s chosen pronouns. We can easily take steps into a positive and respectful direction and when using pronouns it is always better to ask than assume.

Photo Policy

All recordings must be identified publicly and give members the option to not be recorded. Members are free to ask that photographs of themselves be withheld from any promotional materials. To maintain privacy and personal boundaries, all members must ask before taking any photographs that are clearly meant to highlight a small group or single person.

If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, Rabble Studio retains the right to take action in order to maintain a welcoming environment for other members. This includes warnings, expulsion from the building/event/membership without a refund, or other measures deemed appropriate. Our team is authorised to address anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, making the environment hostile for any members or other visitors and individuals. We expect members to follow these rules in all spaces (physical and virtual) including social activities, and we encourage all members and individuals to follow these guidelines outside of these spaces as well. We always welcome any new ideas and good practices to help our community continue to be a safe and pleasant space for all!

With that said, it is important to remember that, as a studio, we are not responsible for any individual’s actions or opinions. We are also not responsible for any incidents, behaviour, or disputes outside of the studio, for example, within personal friendships or relationships.

Not all events interactions are necessarily linked to a physical space. Regardless of the mode of interaction, all other guidelines apply here, and extend to unwelcome or deliberately ill-intentioned activity directed at members and individuals via social networks, forums or other online platforms linked to their participation in online or physical spaces.

Before reporting any behaviour to a studio manager, we encourage all members to try to sort any disputes out among themselves. Studio management should only be brought into a dispute as an absolute last resort for a major violation of this Code of Conduct.

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, or have any other concerns, please notify a staff member or event organiser, as soon as possible. You can also inform us via email at hello@rabble.studio. All claims are taken seriously and will be handled by our dedicated staff. Any information provided will be treated as confidential, except in the case where there is a clear risk to self or others.

If you witness unacceptable behaviour, where it is safe to do so, we encourage you to intervene immediately by addressing both parties directly, telling the first person their behaviour is inappropriate, and asking the second person what they would need to feel safer or would like to have done about the situation, as well as notifying a staff member or event organiser. Definitory power (the right of the person being harassed to define what constitutes harassment as well as to contribute in outlining the consequences for said behaviour) applies here.

Personal Report

You can make a personal report by:

• Contacting Emily (Studio Manager)
• Emailing us: hello@rabble.studio

When taking a personal report, our staff will make sure that we discuss your issue privately and securely. They may involve other staff to ensure your report is managed properly. At this point, we will ask you to go over the details of the harassment. This can be a difficult process, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you are welcome to bring someone with you for support. We will not relay your name or information to the accused. We want you to feel safe and comfortable. Your attendance is important to us.

Depending on whether a clear picture can/cannot be formed – we will take the appropriate action/no action depending on the situation. 

As previously stated, we can only act in a mediatory capacity, where absolutely necessary. While we reserve the right to cancel a member’s membership and ask them to vacate the studio should a serious violation of this Code of Conduct be reported, we are not the police. Therefore, if you feel further action is necessary, it is your responsibility to report any potential legal issues to the relevant authorities.

Emergency contact numbers

If you require police or medical assistance, please call 999.

Members are encouraged to attempt to resolve any sort of disputes among themselves, contacting Studio Management as a last resort. If you are accused of violating the Code of Conduct, before escalating an issue and challenging the validity of a report against you, see if it’s possible to learn from the experience, reflect, apologise, and move on. However, if you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, notify a Rabble Studio manager with a concise description of your grievance. Your grievance will be handled in accordance with Rabble Studio’s Code of Conduct and your individual Membership Agreement.

The Studio is not designed for children and should a member bring a child to work with them, they are solely responsible for the health and wellbeing of that child for the duration of their time within the building.