Bullying is defined by ACAS as ‘as unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting or an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone.’

Harassment is defined by the Equality Act as ‘unwanted
conduct … which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s
dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or
offensive environment for that individual’.

The Equality Act 2010 is the UK’s discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society. The protected characteristics covered by the legislation are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Our Dignity and Respect Policy governs our professional relationships and practice. Our Protocol for Events and Meetings explains how we implement this policy in practice.

Whether at SoA events, in interactions with us online or in person, or on any SoA business, we will consider and investigate all complaints (and take whatever action is necessary and appropriate) to prevent a recurrence of any unprofessional behaviour. 

Sanctions may range from warning the party involved that the particular behaviour is inappropriate and must cease, through to immediate removal from the premises or event, to removing membership, should it appear that any member’s continuance would prejudicially affect the SoA.

We ask everyone to make a commitment to the principles outlined in these policies. Everyone includes: employees; members; associates; committee members; volunteers; prize and grant judges, assessors and participants; contractors; suppliers; trainees; visitors; and all our partners, professional or otherwise.