Incisive Media (the Organiser) is committed to creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees and staff. To help ensure we achieve this, we have created this code of conduct which outlines the standards of behaviour expected from every individual who is present at our events, and we ask that you read and comply with it. If you have any questions about the application of this code of conduct, please contact reportit@arc-network.com

Expected Behaviours

You must ensure that you behave respectfully towards other individuals at all Incisive Media events. Harassment, discrimination, excessive alcohol consumption, disruptive behaviour, or safety or security breaches of any form will not be tolerated. At Incisive Media, we strive to ensure that everyone at our events feels welcome, valued, safe, and comfortable to engage in discussions without fear of injury, humiliation, bullying or intimidation. All attendees, including sponsors, speakers, delegates, staff and suppliers, are expected to behave professionally, respectfully, and kindly, at all Incisive Media events, whether in-person or online, and before, during, and after the event.

Harassment

What is harassment? Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating a hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. A single incident can amount to harassment. It also includes treating someone less favourably because they have submitted or refused to submit to such behaviour in the past. Unlawful harassment may involve conduct of a sexual nature, or it may be related to age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Harassment is unacceptable even if it does not fall within any of these categories. Harassment may include, for example:

(a) continued suggestions after it has been made clear that such suggestions are unwelcome;

(b) offensive or intimidating comments or gestures;

(c) mocking, mimicking or belittling a person’s disability;

(d) racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist jokes, or derogatory or stereotypical remarks about a particular ethnic or religious group or gender; and/or

(e) taking photos or showing photos to somebody without their consent.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is unlawful and will not be tolerated. In some cases, sexual harassment may also amount to a criminal offence. Sexual harassment occurs when a person engages in unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, which has the purpose or effect of either violating another person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. It also includes treating someone less favourably because they have submitted or refused to submit to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature in the past. The law requires Incisive Media to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of our staff. Conduct may amount to sexual harassment even if it is unintended and the person doing it is unaware that they might cause offence. Conduct does not need to be sexually motivated in order to be sexual in nature and can be from someone of the same or a different sex. Even a one-off event can amount to sexual harassment, and it does not need to be directed at anyone in particular (it can be witnessed or overheard).

Sexual harassment may include, for example:

(a) physical contact of a sexual nature, ranging from unnecessary touching to sexual assault;

(b) unwelcome sexual advances, including leering, whistling or sexually suggestive gestures;

(c) suggestive, flirtatious, or inappropriate comments about another person’s appearance, or innuendos or banter (which the harasser may perceive as harmless);

(d) sexual or suggestive jokes;

(e) intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life; and/or

(f) showing someone pornographic or sexually suggestive pictures or materials.

Alcohol and Responsible Consumption

Incisive Media encourages attendees to enjoy the social aspects of the event but to behave respectfully while doing so. We ask all participants to drink responsibly, respect the boundaries and comfort of others, and follow the rules of the venue and event organiser regarding the consumption of alcohol, smoking, vaping, and tobacco products. These substances should only be consumed when and where permitted.

• Attendees who are visibly intoxicated or whose behaviour becomes disruptive due to excessive alcohol consumption will be asked to leave the event.

• If an attendee feels uncomfortable or concerned about another individual’s drinking, they are encouraged to seek assistance from a member of the Incisive Media event staff team.

For the avoidance of doubt, being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is not a defence or mitigation to allegations of harassment. Some attendees will not drink alcohol. This may be for religious reasons, health reasons, or simply personal choice. You must not make anyone feel uncomfortable about this choice or put pressure on them to drink alcohol.

Event safety and security breaches

Incisive Media is committed to providing a safe environment for all event participants. Any protests, security breaches or any other acts that may endanger the safety and wellbeing of individuals at our events are strictly prohibited. As part of this commitment, the following measures might be put in place to protect staff and attendees:

• Security checks may be in place at the entrance to the event.

• Emergency procedures will be clearly communicated to all attendees.

• Incisive Media staff will have clear protocols for managing any security-related incidents to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone present.

What to do if you are concerned

If you experience or witness harassment or other unacceptable behaviour at one of our events, or if you have any concerns about your own or someone else’s safety or welfare, please take the following steps:

1. Report the incident: If you feel comfortable, notify a member of Incisive Media events team immediately. Our events staff will be identifiable by their staff badge. Alternatively, if you would like to report your concerns in writing, you can do so by emailing reportit@arc-network.com

2. Provide as much detail as possible: So that we can properly investigate any allegations of wrongdoing, we would be grateful if you would please provide as much detail as possible, including: - Your name. - Name or identifying details of the person(s) involved. - A description of the incident. - The time, location, and context. - Any witnesses or relevant circumstances. All reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and details will only be disclosed to those with a strict “need to know” or as required to ensure compliance with the law.

Incisive Media will respond to any concerns or complaints as quickly and effectively as reasonably possible.

Consequences for failure to comply

If you fail to comply with this code of conduct, you may be asked to leave the event you are attending and/or be excluded from future Incisive Media events. Breaches of this code of conduct by individuals that are employed or engaged by Incisive Media may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of the employment/ engagement.

In Conclusion

We expect and hope that all attendees, sponsors, speakers and staff will treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves – professionally, politely and kindly. In the event that harassment or other inappropriate behaviour takes place at one of our events, this code of conduct explains what you should do, and provides a mechanism for Incisive Media to take immediate steps to resolve the situation.