At Wassail we take bullying and harassment extremely seriously. Acting in a way that constitutes bullying or harassment is unacceptable and disciplinary means action may be taken which could include dismissal.

 

If any person engaged by Wassail considers they are being harassed or bullied, whether it is at their normal place of work or in other work-related settings (e.g. at work events, out on tour) they must let Wassail’s management know immediately. 

 

All persons engaged by Wassail have a responsibility to report such incidents and we empower them to do so. Complaints will be dealt with fairly, confidentially and sensitively and individuals will not be treated unfavourably because they have raised an issue. 

 

We endeavour to deal with all complaints related to bullying and harassment quickly and informally. The formal process for making and dealing with a complaint which cannot be resolved informally is set out in our Complaints and Grievances policy.

 

WHAT IS HARASSMENT? (UK THEATRE/SOLT definition)

For the purposes of discrimination law, harassment is unwanted conduct related to age; disability; race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins); sex; religion or belief; sexual orientation; gender reassignment, or unwanted conduct of a sexual nature (sexual harassment), which has the purpose or effect of violating another person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. Treating someone unfavourably because they have rejected or submitted to the unwanted conduct referred to above can also amount to harassment.  Unwanted conduct can be physical, verbal or non-verbal. Creating an offensive environment by, for example, making racist jokes, even if the person offended is not from the ethnic group referred to or the “target”. Examples include offensive emails, texts or social media content, suggestive comments, unwanted physical conduct such as grabbing someone, offensive comments to a man based on his wife’s disability or demeaning comments to someone because they are perceived to be gay. Serious harassment can amount to a criminal offence even if it is not related to one of the characteristics set out in discrimination law, which are referred to above. A single incident can amount to harassment. 

 

WHAT IS BULLYING?  (UK THEATRE/SOLTdefinition)

Bullying is not defined in the law but it includes offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour or a misuse or abuse of power which makes a person feel vulnerable, degraded, humiliated or offended. Examples include insulting or patronising comments, exclusion or intimidating levels of supervision. Bullying can be physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct. Giving legitimate feedback on, for example, performance does not of itself constitute bullying.