User:Lankiveil/Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy

Policy Statement

Wikimedia Australia regards the dignity and autonomy of all people as a core value of the organisation. Bullying behaviour is based on the misuse of power in human relationships, and negates the dignity and autonomy of its victims.

Wikimedia Australia regards the health and safety of its volunteers as a primary responsibility. Bullying can affect health and wellbeing. Wikimedia Australia also recognises that every volunteer and member of the association has the right to engage with the Wikimedia movement in a manner free of harassment.

Wikimedia Australia is fully committed to eliminating, as far as possible, all forms of bullying and harassment within the organsiation through a culture of openness, support, and accountability.

Definitions

Unreasonable behaviour is behaviour that is offensive, humiliating, intimidating, degrading or threatening. It includes, but is not limited to,

Verbal abuse
Initiation pranks
Excluding or isolating members or volunteers
Giving a person the majority of an unpleasant or meaningless task
Humiliation through sarcasm, or belittling someone’s opinions
Constant criticism or insults
Spreading misinformation or malicious rumours
Displaying written or pictorial material which may degrade or offend certain persons
Making vexatious or baseless criticisms or complaints

Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed towards a person or group of persons. It includes behaviour that could be expected to intimidate, offend, degrade, humiliate, undermine or threaten.

Repeated … behaviour refers to the nature of the behaviour, not the specific form of that behaviour. "Repeated unreasonable behaviour" may thus be a pattern of diverse incidents.

Harassment is repeated behaviour that disturbs, upsets, annoys or offends. For the purposes of this policy it also includes sexual harassment.

Obligations of Members

Members of the Association are required to abide by the following:

Refrain from engaging in harassment and bullying of other members of the association, including members of the management committee
Refrain from engaging in harassment and bullying of persons associated with partner organisations or the wider Wikimedia movement
Be aware of steps available to resolve conflicts within the organisation, including dispute resolution

Obligations of the Management Committee

Members of the Management Committee are required to:

Commit fully to developing an organisation free of harassment and bullying
Adhere to all obligations expected of members of the Association
Respond promptly to allegations of harassment or bullying within the organisation
Ensure that those accused of harassment or bullying are afforded due process and natural justice
Take whatever steps are necessary to resolve substantiated cases of bullying or harassment

Period of review

This policy is to be reviewed six months after adoption and annually thereafter.