Walterdale Theatre has a strong history of volunteers working together in a climate of mutual respect.  We operate in shared space, and we recognize that individual actions can have an impact on our fellow volunteers.

We are committed to having a respectful theatre workspace free from personal harassment, sexual harassment, and violence. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive work environment in which all members are treated with respect and dignity.

What is harassment?

• Any single incident or repeated incidents of objectionable or unwelcome conduct, comment, bullying, or action by a person that the person knows (or ought reasonably to know) will or could cause offence, humiliation, and/or adverse health and safety effects to another person
• Can be physical and/or psychological in nature
• Includes conduct, comment, bullying, or action based on race, religious beliefs, colour, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status, gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation
• Also includes sexual solicitation or advance; sexual harassment is any unsolicited conduct, comment, or physical contact of a sexual nature that is unwelcome by the recipient
• Can also include abuse of power and threats of reprisal
• Can happen both on premises at Walterdale Theatre and also anywhere we conduct Walterdale business (e.g. offsite rehearsal space, social media)

What isn’t harassment?

• Behaviour between individuals based on mutual consent (freely given, ongoing, active, and a clear-minded agreement to engage in the activity in question)
• Reasonable and respectful feedback on performance
• Play-specific content or actions that deal with sexual or violent behaviours

What should you do if you witness or experience harassment at Walterdale Theatre?

• Speak immediately to someone you feel comfortable with at the theatre (e.g.  your stage manager, production manager, directors of Production or Front of House, or members of the Board Executive)
• Submit your harassment observation, as well as any requested actions, in writing to the Board Executive
  • Please note that the Board Executive will not act on anonymous complaints but will act on confidential complaints

How will Walterdale Theatre handle harassment complaints?

• All harassment complaints will be handled by the Board Executive (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Past President)
• In a timely manner, the Board Executive will suggest approaches for handling the concern, communicate with key stakeholders, document all measures, and follow up to ensure resolution of the matter
  • Board Executive will honour any requests for anonymity by the person submitting the complaint
  • Board Executive will be fair and impartial in their analysis and treatment of the complaint
  • Board Executive will respect the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved limiting discussion related to the incident to those who need to know
• Possible consequence of harassment complaints could include a verbal/written warning or termination/expulsion of harasser from theatre involvement (volunteering activity, production, and/or membership)

How can we all create a safe and respectful theatre workspace at Walterdale?

• Speak up if we know there is a problem
• Provide support to those affected by harassment
• Model respectful behaviours in our work as Walterdale volunteers
• Ensure this policy is shared with all volunteers in our theatre work