The Boiler Room is committed to providing all employees, patrons, and board members a healthy and safe work environment, free of all forms of bullying. There will be no recriminations for anyone who in good faith alleges bullying. Bullying is unwelcome or unreasonable behavior that demeans, intimidates or humiliates people either as individuals or as a group. Some examples of bullying behavior include:

Verbal communication

• Abusive and offensive language
• Insults
• Malicious teasing
• Spreading rumor and innuendo
• Unreasonable criticism
• Trivializing of work and achievements

Manipulating the work environment

• Isolating people from normal work interaction
• Excessive demands
• Setting impossible deadlines

Psychological manipulation

• Unfairly blaming for mistakes
• Setting people up for failure
• Deliberate exclusion
• Excessive supervision
• Malicious practical jokes
• Belittling or disregarding opinions or suggestions
• Criticizing in public

Bullying can lead to:

• Deterioration in the quality of work
• Increased absenteeism
• Lack of communication and teamwork
• Lack of confidence in the employer leading to lack of commitment to the job

Responsibilities:

• If you are a victim of or witness to bullying, report incidents to the volunteer on duty, to the manager, or a member of the Board of Directors, as appropriate
• Where appropriate, speak to the alleged bully or bullies to object to the behavior
• Where appropriate, an investigation will be undertaken and disciplinary measures will be taken as necessary.

(adopted with support of all present at 19 February 2009 meeting of Board of Directors)