STEMM Global Anti-harassment Policy and Code of Conduct
STEMM is a science-to-technology community of recognized experts in smart technologies, academic conferences, business-meets-academia events, R&D labs, and more. We are committed to providing a unique communication and networking platform to all our members that offers a free and robust exchange of research developments. Our scientific community requires that all participants be treated with equal consideration and respect. Our aim is to protect members of our community from bullying, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any sort, and create an environment in which everybody feels comfortable and happy and are not threatened or intimidated. All members of the STEMM Global Community, as well as participants of STEMM events and activities, are therefore expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully.
It is the policy of STEMM Global that all forms of bullying, discrimination and harassment, sexual or otherwise, are prohibited within the on-line networking platform and in any STEMM events or activities. This policy applies to all registered members and every individual at the STEMM events (on-line or on-site), whether attendee, speaker, exhibitor, award recipient, staff, contractor or other. It is a violation of this policy to retaliate against our members and any individual at the STEMM event for reporting bullying, discrimination or harassment or to intentionally file a false report of bullying, discrimination or harassment.
STEMM Management Team may take any disciplinary action it considers appropriate if, after a thorough investigation, it finds a violation occurred.
What should you do if you experience or witness bullying, discrimination or harassment?
Individuals may be unaware that their conduct is offensive and are often willing to correct their behaviour if so informed. If you experience or witness bullying, discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to immediately inform the individual that their comments or behaviour are unwelcome.
If you do not feel comfortable addressing the violator, or if the violator continues the behaviour after being advised that their conduct is unwelcome, you should report the incident.
You can file your official report through the following methods:
- contact any STEMM staff member (if onsite at an event or meeting);
- email official administration of the STEMM event;
- email to STEMM Global Management Team at [email protected]
To ensure a fair and complete investigation, we cannot accept anonymous reports of bullying, discrimination or harassment.
We will maintain your confidentiality in accordance with the STEMM Privacy Policy except where doing so would compromise another individual’s rights or our management team ability to conduct an investigation. We will limit disclosure only to that information necessary to ensure proper investigation and compliance with procedures.
What will happen if I submit a report?
- A member of the STEMM Management Team will respond to you within 2 working days to request further details.
- You do not have to respond to this request, but if you do it will help the team to signpost you to the relevant support.
- STEMM Management Team will start a thorough investigation, which will include interviewing all parties with knowledge of the incident.
Any formal reports made about harassment, bullying or other inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously, in line with the STEMM Global Policy. Where there is found to be evidence of bullying and harassment then this could result in action being taken under the HR Disciplinary procedure.