The Public Theater is committed to providing a conscious, healthy, and respectful work environment for everyone involved in bringing its mission to life. We recognize that the effects of racism, sexism, and other systemic biases are deeply embedded in our national culture, including in the theater world. As an anti-oppressive organization, these behaviors are contrary to who we are and what we aspire to be. The purpose of this document is to help us all work together in new ways to create a workplace where we all feel safe and are given the respect we deserve — where our differences can be celebrated.
The work to provide a conscious, healthy, and respectful work environment can be challenging, but it is something that every employee of The Public Theater must take seriously. Because the spaces in which we work are broad — encompassing administration, auditions, rehearsals, technical work, late nights, parties, public-facing frontline work, and more — we must acknowledge, and not exploit, the blurred boundaries between work and social spaces.
This Code of Conduct should be read in conjunction with The Public Theater’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment. All employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is free of bias, prejudice, discrimination, and harassment at all times. Failure to abide by the expectations set forth in this Code of Conduct and in all Public Theater policies may result in appropriate discipline, up to and including termination of employment.
The Code of Conduct is about helping us all to be a responsible member of The Public Theater community and committing to treating each other well. We all make this commitment together and we will all get there together by supporting this commitment with our actions.
In order to ensure sustainable change, all of us must:
The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to help us all work together in new ways to create a workplace where we all feel safe and are given the respect we deserve – where our differences can be celebrated. This addendum is to address how employees can expect to be treated at Public Theater events.
The Public Theater is committed to providing a healthy and respectful work environment for everyone involved in bringing its mission to life. And we extend that commitment to any on-site or off-site work-related events you attend, including but not limited to:
Attendees at these events may not be aware of our code of conduct and the standards we’ve created around how we treat one another.
To that end, we have created the following addendum to the Code of Conduct to provide you with guidelines on appropriate behaviors and processes.
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WHAT DOES DISRESPECTFUL CONDUCT LOOK LIKE?
The list of potentially inappropriate behaviors below is not all-inclusive, but it is meant to provide you with examples.
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SO WHAT’S NEXT? – If you experience or observe harassing or bullying behavior, you can feel empowered to address it directly in the moment if you choose. Some possible ways to address behavior that makes you uncomfortable:
As a bystander, you can interrupt and:
But what if?
What if the person says: “Don’t you know who I am? I am a big donor to the Public!”
All of the above responses are still appropriate. You have every right to feel respected at work events, regardless of the status of the person with whom you are interacting. Retaliation against employees who stop harassment, or who make complaints in good faith, will not be tolerated.
If you don’t want to address the issue yourself, please reach out to anyone on the below list with whom you feel comfortable. If appropriate, you can also request that the guest be monitored during the event.
If you feel physically threatened, please call on CSS, our security firm. You can also call 911 if you are alone or don’t see security.
After the fact, all incidents should be reported to Sarah Rosen, Senior Director of HR, at srosen@publictheater.org.
All issues raised will be treated sensitively and with discretion by the representative you approach. The Public Theater is committed to treating all complaints seriously. Confidentiality will be respected when at all possible.
This Addendum to the Code of Conduct is a living document and will be periodically updated.
(Updated June 2019)
The Public is proud of its professional and congenial work environment, and seeks to ensure that the work environment remains pleasant for all who work here. Accordingly, The Public strongly disapproves of and will not tolerate sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), marital status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status and any other status protected by federal, state or local law.
Prohibited Conduct
Each employee must exercise their own good judgment to avoid engaging in conduct that may be perceived by others as harassment. Forms of harassment may include, but are not limited to:
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or any other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (i) submission to the conduct is made either an explicit or implicit condition of employment; (ii) submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for an employment decision; or (iii) conduct occurs that is unwelcome and is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to interfere with an employee’s work performance or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
Employee’s Responsibilities
Employees must conduct themselves in a manner that ensures others are able to work in an atmosphere free from harassment. Employees who feel that they have experienced or witnessed conduct that could be in violation of this policy are encouraged to promptly notify the offender that their behavior is unwelcome. Additionally, employees must immediately report the incident to their immediate supervisor, their department director and/or the Human Resources Director. Employees must not allow an inappropriate situation to continue by not reporting it, or by complaining only to the alleged harasser. All incidents of objectionable conduct must be reported, including those occurring outside the facility or during off hours. Supervisors or managers who receive a complaint, or otherwise become aware of conduct that could be in violation of this policy, must notify their department director and/or the Human Resources Director.
Investigation of Complaints
The Public will investigate all complaints of harassment, discrimination or other objectionable conduct thoroughly and promptly, as appropriate to the nature and particulars of the complaint. The Public will keep complaints and the terms of their resolution confidential to the fullest extent practicable.
If an investigation leads to a determination that an individual engaged in conduct in violation of the Company’s policies, The Public will take appropriate, corrective action against the offending party, up to and including immediate termination of employment.
Protection against Retaliation
Retaliation of any kind or discriminating against an employee who in good faith reports a suspected violation of this policy or who cooperates in an investigation is prohibited. An employee who violates this policy in any way will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination.
Following (Mis)Conduct, a community town hall convening held on Monday, December 4, 2017, at The Public, we have collected resources for those interested in knowing more about ways to combat sexual misconduct and assault in our community.
National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Safe Horizon 24-Hr Helpline - 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
Project Callisto
Creating technology to combat sexual assault, empower survivors, and advance justice – an online sexual assault reporting system.
Not in Our House
A Chicago-based movement founded to fight against sexual discrimination and harassment as well as gender-based violence in the theater community.
The Royal Court’s “Code of Behaviour”
A comprehensive code of behavior created by the Royal Court Theatre, offering concrete steps and actions to prevent sexual harassment and abuses of power in the theater community.
RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
CVTC
CVTC (Crime Victims Treatment Center) is dedicated to helping survivors of interpersonal violence heal. They offer crisis intervention, individual and group trauma-focused therapy, legal advocacy, complementary therapy and psychiatric consultation. All services are confidential and completely free of charge.
The Sexual Harrassment Handbook by Linda Gordon Howard
A guide by attorney Linda Gordon Howard on how to recognize and effectively deal with sexual harrassment in the workplace.
The Actors Fund
Offers emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development, and more for theater professionals
Human Resources for the Arts
A coalition of New York-based artists and lawyers dedicated to educating and supporting arts workers around sexual harrassment issues.
The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women
A guide on internet safety written by women for women.
The Recovery Village: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Educational materials on how to identify the signs, types, and treatments for PTSD.