The Yard Theater Policy on Harassment

The Yard Theater (TYT) is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination and/or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity including transgender status), national origin, age (40 or over), marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, uniformed (military) service, or in reprisal for an individual’s complaint about, or opposition to, discrimination or participation in any process or proceeding designed to remedy discrimination (the protected purviews).

The Yard Theater must be an environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. This TYT environment includes the physical theater, online streaming channel, and any official TYT online communities. TYT will take prompt action to prevent, address, and remedy conduct that is contrary to this policy. 

This policy applies to all employees, interns, volunteers, staff members, teachers, performers, showrunners, and/or agents of TYT, including, but not limited to, supervisory and non-supervisory staff members. TYT also seeks to protect those in the theater from harassment and/or discrimination by third parties,. Reasonable action will be taken to protect individuals from the misconduct of contractors, suppliers, clients, and others.

Prohibited Activities 

Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct, which is so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s participation in the theater, or associated functions. Examples may include, but are not limited to, making offensive or derogatory verbal or written comments or engaging in physically threatening, intimidating, or humiliating behavior based upon the protected purviews. These activities are prohibited by TYT’s policy and are consistent with definitions provided by local, state, and/or federal anti-discrimination laws. 

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal, written, or physical conduct of a sexual nature such as, but not limited to: making or threatening to make material decisions based on an individual’s submission to, or rejection of, sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; deliberate or repeated unsolicited verbal or written remarks, or displaying illicit materials with a sexual connotation, or physical contact of a sexual nature that is unwelcome to the recipient; or behavior that creates a sustained hostile or abusive environment so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s participation in the theater, or associated functions, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including permanent removal from the TYT community. TYT is committed to providing individuals a safe, productive, and inclusive workspace and will tolerate nothing less. 

Although not every instance of inappropriate behavior may fit this definition of harassment, such behavior undermines morale and may violate the TYT standards of conduct. 

Bullying

Though Bullying may not meet the standard of harassment, TYT nevertheless prohibits bullying conduct. TYT defines bullying as the repeated, malicious, and intentional use of force, coercion, and/or threat by a dominant party in order to ridicule or intimidate another individual or group, regardless of the protected purviews. This may include, but is not limited to: repeatedly using an imbalance of power or social standing to dominate, belittle, or abuse an individual.

Disciplinary action may result in the instance of bullying, or other inappropriate conduct, even if the conduct does not constitute harassment under the law. 

TYT Responsibility 

All teachers, coaches, directors, and staff members are responsible for preventing harassment and inappropriate behavior that could lead to harassment, and must promptly report any such conduct to The Yard Theater leadership team. The Yard Theater leadership team shall promptly respond to any such complaint either by attempting internal resolution, or ensuring a fair, thorough, and timely investigation. When harassment or inappropriate conduct is found, The Yard Theater leadership team shall take prompt and effective corrective action. TYT will protect the confidentiality of all parties to the fullest extent possible.

All teachers, coaches, directors, showrunners, and staff members will receive information on harassment prevention, as well as a copy of this policy upon appointment.

Individual’s Rights and Responsibilities 

Individuals who believe that they are the victims of harassment prohibited under this policy (i.e., harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity including transgender status), national origin, age (40 or over), marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, uniformed (military) service, or in reprisal for a complaint about or opposition to discrimination or participation in any process or proceeding designed to remedy discrimination) or who have witnessed such harassment or inappropriate conduct, should bring the situation to the attention of their coach or director or to the The Yard Theater leadership team.

Reprisal against individuals who raise a claim of harassment, report inappropriate conduct, or provide evidence in any investigation is also prohibited, and can result in disciplinary action. 

Allegations involving any possible criminal misconduct should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. TPT reserves the right to summarily implement corrective action where there exists a good faith belief that criminal conduct may have occurred. 

If you have any questions about this policy please talk with your teacher, coach, director or with The Yard Theater leadership team.