Thoughtworks Meetups & Events
tl;dr: Be excellent to each other
1. Purpose
A primary goal of Thoughtworks’ events is to be inclusive to a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, appearance, disability, marital status, socioeconomic status, and religion (or lack thereof).
This code of conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our online and in-person events, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
We invite all those who participate in Thoughtworks Germany events to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone.
2. Expected Behaviour
The following behaviours are expected and requested of all event participants:
- Participate in an authentic and active way.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
- Attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Respect that people have differences in opinion and that there is seldom a right answer.
- Ask about gender rather than assume, and if you get it wrong apologize and use the gender pronoun they prefer. (Please keep in mind that continued misgendering is harassment!)
- Please note that by attending our events, you are subject to being photographed or videotaped, unless you let one of the organisers know that you would not like to photographed/filmed or are wearing a “Do not photograph/film me” sticker.
- Alcohol may be present at our events but please do not feel obligated to drink.
- Please note we have a gender diverse bathroom policy: anyone of any gender identity/expression can use whichever bathroom with which they are most comfortable.
3. Unacceptable Behaviour
The following behaviours are considered harassment and are unacceptable at our events:
- Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
- Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
- Wearing or displaying identifying signs of discrimination (eg. logos for racist organisations).
- Posting or threatening to post other people's personally identifying information ("doxing").
- Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.
- Inappropriate photography or recording (in any context where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy - in bathrooms or where participants are resting).
- Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone's verbal consent before touching them. Dressing or acting a certain way is not consent.
- Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes, sexualized comments or jokes; inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcome sexual advances.
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).
- Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
4. Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
If a participant engages in an inappropriate behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem necessary including warning the offender or expulsion from the event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed or have any other concerns please contact the organizer immediately.
Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
Please remember that mistakes happen, you are not a bad person, simply reassess your behaviour and do better next time.
5. Reporting Guidelines
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify the event organizer as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable to speak to an organizer please feel free to send your concerns or any feedback to the ThoughWorks Germany Awareness Team at awarenessteam@thoughtworks.com
The Thoughtworks Germany Awareness Team helps to cultivate safe and inclusive spaces across all diversity dimensions (e.g. gender, ethnicity/race, disability, LGBTQIA+, neurodiversity, class) at Meetups and events. Our Awareness Team members have undergone training to respond with recommended actions to incidents and/or complaints that may arise during events.
Please approach an Awareness Team member if you have any questions, concerns, or if you require support and/or assistance.
The on-site Awareness Team member(s) will introduce themselves at the beginning of the event and can be identified by TW-branded T-Shirt(s), or badges.
6. Scope
We expect all event participants (contributors; sponsors; and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct at all Thoughtworks Germany events--online and in-person.
7. Contact info
Thoughtworks Germany Awareness Team awarenessteam@thoughtworks.com
8. License and attribution
This Code of Conduct is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.
Portions of text derived from the Django Code of Conduct and the Geek Feminism Anti-Harassment Policy.
Revised and adopted by Thoughtworks Germany on November 5th, 2019.
Adopted by Thoughtworks San Francisco on October 19, 2015.
Revision 2.1. Posted 23 June 2014.
Revision 2.0, adopted by the Stumptown Syndicate board on 10 January 2013. Posted 17 March 2013.