CONFERENCE, MEETING, AND EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT
HBF and HBM are committed to creating and maintaining an engaging and productive conference, meeting and event environment that is welcoming and free from any form of harassment or other discrimination, in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
This Conference, Meeting and Event Code of Conduct (“Event Code of Conduct”) guides everyone who participates in or attends HBF or HBMs conferences, meetings or other sponsored events (“Events”), including members, non-members, employees, speakers, sponsors, vendors, contractors, volunteers, and other guests (“Attendees”).
HBF and HBM wants to ensure that all Attendees understand what behaviour is expected and what behaviour will not be tolerated at an Event. The facilities covered by this Event Code of Conduct include any venue, hotel, office, meeting room, conference centre or other location where an Event takes place, as well as at off-site locations where Event-related social gatherings take place, including sporting locations.
1. Expected Conduct
Attendees shall:
a) Be considerate and respectful to each other;
b) Refrain from harassing, discriminatory or demeaning conduct;
c) Alert a member of HBF or HBM management or staff if they observe any conduct that violates this Event Code of Conduct;
d) Comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the facilities at which any Event is being held; and
e) Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the state where the Event is being held.
2. Unacceptable Conduct
HBF and HBM expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability
or perceived disability (physical or mental), family responsibilities, political affiliation, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Examples of conduct prohibited by this Event Code of Conduct include, without limitation:
a) Sexist, racist, homophobic or other discriminatory jokes, slurs, insults or comments;
b) Unwelcome sexual advances, whether verbal or physical;
c) Display of sexualised images;
d) Stalking, whether in person or online;
e) Threatening or intimidating language or physical conduct; and
f) Inappropriate photography or recording.
3. Reporting Procedure
If any Attendee believes s/he or another Attendee has been subject to conduct that violates this Event Code of Conduct, or witnesses such conduct, they should report the violation to a member of HBF or HBM management or staff while on-site at the Event or as soon after the Event as possible. Any member of Event staff who receives such a report or who witnesses inappropriate conduct must notify a member of HBF or HBM management on site at the Event or as soon as is reasonably possible.
HBF and Housebuilder Media HBM operate an independent, externally hosted whistleblowing website and hotline system (Ethics Point) to make it easier to raise concerns about issues that relate to HBF and HBM (i.e. bribery or corruption, damage to the environment, fraud, health and safety breaches, falsification of records, behaviours of attendees at events or meetings and violation of policy).
A whistleblowing concern will involve some form of risk, wrongdoing or malpractice, actual or perceived, where there is a risk to others, e.g. to members of staff, attendees at HBF and HBM meetings and events, or the general public.
4. Consequences
Attendees asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. At HBF or HBMs sole discretion, any violation of this Event Code of Conduct may result in removal from or denial of access to the Event without a refund of any applicable registration fees, and/or disqualification from attendance at future Events.
5. Retaliation
HBF and HBM will not tolerate any actual or attempted reprisals or retaliation against individuals who raise in good faith a concern that this Event Code of Conduct has been violated, or who participate in the investigation of such a concern. HBF or HBM take all allegations of harassment and discrimination seriously and is committed to ensuring an Event environment that is free of any harassment or discriminatory activitie
