Unacceptable behaviour policy

Purpose

This policy sets out what the Fringe Society considers to be unacceptable behaviour by Fringe participants. It covers behaviour between participants (as identified in our complaints process), and behaviour towards the Fringe Society and its staff. It should be read alongside the Code of Conduct, which sets out the positive behaviours we expect of everyone, and the Complaint Process, which explains how reports are handled and what action may follow.

Note: content presented at the Fringe – however provocative, challenging or controversial – is not covered by this policy, in line with the open access principles of the Fringe.

Behaviour between participants

The Fringe Society seeks to foster an environment in which all participants are treated fairly, professionally and with dignity. Where behaviour by one participant towards another is reported to us, we will respond in accordance with the Complaint Process.

The following is not an exhaustive list but sets out the categories of behaviour we consider unacceptable:

Harmful and harassing behaviour

• Bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), discrimination, victimisation or microaggressions.
• Creating hostile or intimidating working environments.
• Abuse of power – including by those in positions of creative authority over others.
• Threats to withhold pay (not in line with contractual mechanisms), block future work or damage professional reputation.
• Unwanted physical contact or attention.
• Online harassment, including sustained or malicious social media campaigns targeting other participants.

Note: some behaviour in this category may also constitute unlawful conduct. See below.

Exploitative and unfair practices

• Poor, missing or misleading contracts of engagement.
• Withholding of payments owed to artists, company members or staff.
• Unexplained or unjustified charges for services.
• Misuse of volunteer arrangements – using volunteers in roles that should be paid.
• Providing unclear or misleading financial information to artists.
• Failure to provide basic employment rights to paid staff.
• Unreasonable or unsafe working conditions – noting that some failures in this area may constitute breaches of health and safety legislation.

Note: some behaviour in this category may also constitute unlawful conduct. See below.

Unlawful conduct

Some behaviour reported to us will constitute or potentially constitute a criminal offence. This includes but is not limited to:

• sexual assault
• theft or fraud
• drug supply offences
• serious harassment or stalking
• hate crimes.

Where we receive reports of behaviour that may be unlawful, we will take immediate action in accordance with the Complaint Process, and will always direct complainants to Police Scotland. We are not able to investigate criminal matters ourselves.

Behaviour towards Fringe Society staff

The Fringe Society has a duty of care towards its employees. We do not expect our staff to tolerate behaviour that is abusive, threatening or unreasonably demanding. The following is considered unacceptable:

• Abusive, offensive, threatening or discriminatory language or behaviour – verbal, written or physical.
• Violence or threats of violence – including towards staff, their families or associates.
• Persistent, unreasonable contact or demands that take up a disproportionate amount of staff time.
• Refusal to accept decisions made by the Fringe Society after a matter has been properly considered.
• Submitting false or deliberately misleading information.
• Malicious allegations about Fringe Society staff.

Engaging with our processes

We ask all participants to engage constructively with the Fringe Society's complaints and mediation processes. Where a participant repeatedly or unreasonably obstructs a process, this may be taken into account when considering what action to take.