POMONA GALLERY ZERO TOLERANCE ANTI-BULLYING & ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY The Hinterland Art Group Inc (Trading as The Pomona Railway Art Gallery) (“the Gallery”) seeks to provide a gallery environment that is safe and enjoyable for all. Bullying has a detrimental effect on the Gallery and its people. It can create an unsafe working environment, result in a loss of trained and talented workers, increase absenteeism and reduce efficiency and productivity. People who are bullied can become distressed, anxious, withdrawn and can lose self-esteem and self-confidence. Bullying is also, in some circumstances, against the law. For these reasons, bullying will not be tolerated by the Gallery.
MEMBERS’ ROLE The Gallery expects members: • not to engage in harassment or bullying; • not to aid, abet or encourage others to engage in harassment or bullying; • to behave in a responsible manner in any dealings with the Gallery staff; • treat Gallery staff with courtesy and respect; • listen and respond appropriately to the views and concerns of others; and • to be fair and honest in their dealings with the Gallery and staff UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT Incidents of unreasonable behaviour (such as harassment, violence or threatening behaviour) can present a risk to health and safety and will not be tolerated. Harassment is considered to be any form of behaviour that is: • unwanted; • offends, humiliates or intimidates; or • creates a hostile environment. Where such conduct occurs towards a person due to a particular characteristic of that person (such as when based on sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, ethnicity or race, etc) this may be unlawful under discrimination and equal opportunity law, even if it is limited to a single incident. For example, sexual harassment is unlawful even where it is not repeated conduct. The Gallery will not tolerate any form of abuse or bullying toward any volunteer. bullying is considered to be any incident where a volunteer is physically or verbally attacked or threatened in the workplace. It includes (but is not limited to): Any type of direct physical contact such as punching, pushing, tripping, spitting, blocking of someone’s way, etc.; Any form of unwanted physical contact. Abusive, insulting or offensive language or comments; Violent, aggressive or intimidating conduct; Belittling or humiliating comments; Unjustified criticism or complaints; Spreading misinformation or malicious rumours; The above examples are not an exhaustive list of bullying behaviours. They are indicative of the type of behaviours that may constitute bullying and are therefore unacceptable to the Gallery.
Gallery response to complaints by volunteers Complaints of bullying, harassment and workplace violence will be taken seriously and will be handled in accordance with the Gallery’s Zero Tolerance bullying Policy. Should the Gallery find that a Gallery member has bullied or harassed a volunteer, responses may include: Cancellation of membership and lifetime ban Cancellation of current or future planned exhibitions and lifetime ban Referral for legal action
Protocol for Members’ Complaints If a member feels they have a legitimate complaint against the Gallery for any reason, they are invited to directly contact the President of The Hinterland Art Group Inc (Trading as The Pomona Railway Art Gallery) and outline the complaint in writing. The contact email is [email protected]. Any complaint will receive a response within 48 hours.