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Conduct policy

NEEPS values freedom of speech and scientific inquiry. NEEPS also values the freedom to attend professional conferences and engage in scientific discussions without fear of harassment or discrimination. Toward this goal, NEEPS has endorsed the following policy regarding professional behavior in all contexts within and surrounding professional interactions related to the society.
 

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Offensive Verbal Comments

  • Unwelcome Physical Attention

  • Intimidation

  • Sustained Disruption of Presentations or other Events

  • Inappropriate Physical Contact

  • Stalking/following            

  • Harassing/Non-Consensual Photography or Recording

  • Physical Assault and/or Battery

This may take place in person or through other means of communication (internet, email, telecommunications, etc.).
 

In relation, but not limited to: Race, Color, National Origin, Gender, Gender Identity, Age, Body Size, Disability, Appearance, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Citizenship, Pregnancy, or Marital status.    
 

The society also expects all members to comply with local, state, and federal regulations concerning personal interaction. In the event that members engage in unlawful conduct, authorities will be contacted.
 

Definition of Sexual Harassment:

  • Harassment does not include scientific disagreements or research regarding harassment, sex, or any of the behaviors/designations above. Data based scientific findings are just that and should be discussed at conferences. Judgments based on those findings that overgeneralize or justify discriminatory behavior are not scientific, are in fact examples of scientific fallacies, and will not be tolerated.

  • Sexual harassment refers to verbal, physical, and visual conduct of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the recipient.  Sexual harassment may include such conduct as sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; an unwelcome display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; sexually explicit jokes; and offensive, unwanted physical contact such as patting, pinching, grabbing, groping, or constant brushing against another’s body.

 

Attendees asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
 

Scope of Policy:

  • This Anti-Harassment Policy applies to all attendees at conferences including: participants/attendees, speakers, guests, staff, press, and vendors/exhibitors.  All attendees are expected to comply with this policy at the conference venue and all conference related social events through the duration of the conference.

  • This policy also applies to all society related correspondence, collaboration and professional interaction

Procedure:

Reporting an Incident:

  • Anyone can report harassment. If you are being harassed, please contact a NEEPS board member immediately (see program).

  • If you are at a conference and cannot find an Eboard member to assist you, please go to registration desk to see if staff can locate an E-board member for you. Stay with the registration staff and notify them if you feel unsafe.

  • All complaints will be treated seriously and will be investigated promptly. 

 

Disciplinary Action:

  • All reports of harassment will be directed immediately to NEEPS organizers who may consult with and engage other staff, leaders and legal counsel as appropriate.

  • If necessary, we will contact local law enforcement, provide escort, offer a safe place or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment and attempt to create a safe environment.

  • In response to a report of harassment, NEEPS may take any action they deem appropriate.  Such actions range from a verbal warning, to ejection from conferences to revocation of membership.

 

NEEPS may also deem it necessary to report the incident to the home institution. It is part of the mission of NEEPS to create a professional environment where all members are free to share their research and ideas without harassment. NEEPS is a society for scientific discussion and advancement, not harassment.

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