On September 13th, 2021, VLACC’s Board of Directors voted to approve as policy this Code of Conduct based on the model developed by the Cultural Human Resources Council.
Approved by the Board : 09/13/2021 Next review : 09/13/2023
The Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre Society (VLACC), pledges to create safer, more
inclusive, respectful workplaces where artists can thrive, free from all forms of harassment,
including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.
Harassment can take many forms including unwanted sexual attention, inappropriate jokes or
texts, threats, and other unwelcome verbal, written, visual, or physical communication or
conduct.
We believe that every artist, cultural worker, volunteer and employee should expect the
following:
• A work environment that encourages the creative process provides transparent
communication and promotes mutual respect from everyone involved
• A workplace free from harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence in all forms
• When harassment, discrimination or violence takes place, empowerment to speak out,
report abuses in good faith, expect thorough, timely investigations and appropriate measures
and/or consequences
• Expect those they work with to recognize the personal and physical boundaries of others
• Never to have to be alone with individuals who make them uncomfortable or who threaten
their safety
• Never be forced to conduct work in non-professional environments in which they may feel
uncomfortable or at personal risks, such as but not limited to private hotel rooms, vehicles or
homes.
• Rehearsals and performances involving culturally-specific content will be conducted with
advance consultation, care, sensitivity, and respect
• Rehearsals and performances involving sensitive material — including intimacy, nudity,
violence, or sexual content — will be conducted with the utmost care, advance consent and
respect
• If required to engage in any form of physical contact — such as but not limited to dancers,
actors, and choreographers — ensure that the contact is consensual and expect to be able to
speak out against any touch to which they do not consent
In support of these values and expectations, we commit to:
• Enact policies and procedures that maintain zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination,
bullying and violence
• Ensure that Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures are reviewed at least annually and
attached to all contracts and letters of agreement
• Convene artists, cultural workers, volunteers, and employees before each season or project
to discuss the Code of Conduct, shared values and expectations, and provide information on
policies and reporting mechanisms
• Provide artists, cultural workers, volunteers, and employees with definitions of harassment,
including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence
• Make available or provide training resources for artists, cultural workers, volunteers and
employees so that all stakeholders learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable
workplace behaviour, know how to report inappropriate conduct, and discover how to
cultivate a healthy workplace culture
• Post Code of Conduct and all anti-harassment policies and procedures prominently in all
workplaces
• Ensure that the Code of Conduct, and all anti-harassment policies and procedures apply to
all individuals who conduct work on the company’s behalf, including artists, cultural workers,
guest artists, directors, choreographers, conductors, staff members, board members,
contractors, interns, suppliers, and volunteers
• Ensure that these policies apply in any environment where company or project work is
being conducted, including auditions, rehearsals, meetings, job interviews, company
functions, fundraising events, off-site performances and tours, and work-related conferences
and training sessions
• Provide a system for reporting and investigating acts of wrongdoing, including,
• Identifying and/or establishing reporting mechanisms to disclose abusive behaviour,
including designating individuals to receive and process these complaints when possible
• Providing and prominently posting information on additional reporting resources
(third-party tip lines, union partners, community agencies and local authorities
• Ensuring that allegations of inappropriate behaviour are investigated and resolved in
a thorough and timely manner and that the parties involved will benefit from the
principles of natural justice, by learning of the allegations against them and having the
opportunity to respond to them
• Protecting whistleblowers so they are shielded from any repercussions for reporting
violations in good faith
• Ensuring that parameters are in place to protect, whenever possible, confidentiality
and the privacy of information during an investigation. The name of the complainant,
circumstances of the complaint, investigation reports, complaints, witness statements
and other documents or information will be kept strictly confidential, except when
disclosure is necessary as part of the investigation
• Enacting consequences for violations that are commensurate with the acts
committed, including additional training, controls, suspension, or termination
• Offering further training and/or counselling to artists, cultural workers, volunteers
and employees after a violation occurs in the workplace
• When a complaint is made that involves illegal conduct, applicable authorities must be
notified in accordance with local, provincial and federal laws, including human rights
legislation and health/ safety legislation
Artists tell the stories of our time through courageous acts of creativity that require
vulnerability, honesty, sacrifice, and talent. It is our shared responsibility to create safe spaces
for artists to create within, and by signing on to this pledge, we commit to this work on behalf
of all Canadian performing artists.
For more information or to see a full list of signatures to the code of conduct, visit
respectfulartsworkplaces.ca.
This code of Conduct was based on the template made available by the Cultural Human Resources Council
The Code of Conduct is a set of voluntary commitments developed by a coalition of Canadian performing arts
stakeholders. Each signatory is solely responsible for upholding its commitments under the Code and its
obligations under the law.