Responsible Behaviours Policy – Australia & New Zealand
1. Purpose and scope
The purpose of this Banking and Financial Services Law Association (BFSLA) Responsible Behaviours Policy – Australia and New Zealand (this Policy) is to set out the standard of behaviour that BFSLA expects of its members and other persons at events or meetings organised, sponsored or hosted by the BFSLA in Australia and New Zealand (collectively, BFSLA events).
2. General
2.1 The BFSLA aims to provide a safe and healthy environment for everybody at BFSLA events, both members and non-members. Likewise, the BFSLA expects everybody at BFSLA events to behave in a way that protects the health and safety of themselves and the people around them, and the overall reputation of the BFSLA.
2.2 This Policy is binding on all persons who attend BFSLA events. Acknowledgement and acceptance of this Policy is a condition of attendance at any BFSLA event. A person who attends a BFSLA event will be taken to have accepted this.
2.3 Any person at a BFSLA event who breaches this Policy may be asked to leave the event, by any Board member or other agent or representative of the BFSLA.
3. Behaviour
3.1 The BFSLA expects everyone at BFSLA events to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Disruptive, offensive, obnoxious or aggressive behaviour is not acceptable in any circumstances.
3.2 The BFSLA expects everyone at BFSLA events to treat each other with respect at all times. Interactions should at all times be professional, respectful and courteous.
3.3 To make sure this occurs, the BFSLA expects everyone at a BFSLA event to ensure that no one at the event is subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment or bullying by another person, and to comply with all applicable laws, including, as applicable, the Human Rights Act 1993 (NZ), the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (NZ), the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD) and work health and safety laws applicable in other Australian states and territories and applicable state and territory anti-discrimination legislation.
4. Harassment
4.1 Harassment of any form is not acceptable at BFSLA events. It is the BFSLA’s policy to provide an environment at BFSLA events in which all are treated with respect and feel safe. Harassment of anyone, whether they be BFSLA members, non-member attendees, employees, contractors, suppliers or partners of the BFSLA is a violation of this Policy.
4.2 Harassment covers a number of different forms, including sexual, racial, verbal, physical and/or emotional harassment. For the purposes of this Policy, harassment is any behaviour that is unwelcome by and/or offensive to the recipient. It may be a persistent and repeated behaviour or a serious one-off incident.
4.3 Everybody at BFSLA events should consider themselves responsible for, and all are strongly encouraged to, report any incidents of unlawful discrimination, harassment or bullying, experienced or observed. Reports should be made to the President or another member of the Board.
4.4 All reported incidents will be treated seriously. As each incident will differ, the BFSLA will determine the most appropriate method of dealing with the incident. This may vary depending on the nature of the specific incident and other relevant factors.
5. Alcohol
5.1 The BFSLA expects that if people consume alcohol at BFSLA events, they must do so responsibly, so as to protect the health and safety of all persons in attendance.
5.2 People at BFSLA events must not provide alcohol to, or encourage drinking by, anyone who is underage, appears intoxicated or is behaving inappropriately. The BFSLA reserves the right to not serve alcohol to any person at a BFSLA event, and to remove anyone from a BFSLA event in situations where their consumption has been excessive.
5.3 If a person intends to drink at a BFSLA event, they should not drive and should instead make other transport arrangements.
6. Drugs
The use, possession or sale of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at BFSLA events.
7. Contact
If any person covered by the Policy has any questions about it, including their obligations under it, we encourage them to contact the President or another member of the Board.