Last updated: 13 March 2023
Code of Conduct
TL;DR. Be respectful. Harassment and abuse are never tolerated. If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable at a Hack Slovakia event or workplace, if the event itself is creating an unsafe or inappropriate environment, or if interacting with a Hack Slovakia representative, event organiser or attendee makes you uncomfortable, please report it using the procedures included in this document.
Hack Slovakia stands for inclusivity and respect. Every single person has the right to engage in a safe and welcoming environment, be it at the workplace, an event, or at social gatherings.
Subjects
All members of the Hack Slovakia organisation, volunteers, and people associated in other ways with any of the organisation’s projects, contractors, and anyone else participating in or attending any of the organisation’s events, are subjects to this policy.
The code of conduct applies at or in relation to any Hack Slovakia event or project, during in-person or online interactions related to a Hack Slovakia event or project, or at social gatherings associated with Hack Slovakia. By attending or participating in our events or activities, you become subject to any potential further (internal or legal) action in the case of non-compliance with the policy.
Protected characteristics
Hack Slovakia prohibits discrimination or harassment based on age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, colour, creed, religion, belief, social class, economic status, nationality, minority affiliation, ancestry, pregnancy or maternity, marital or familial status, citizenship, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other characteristics protected by law.
Harassment
Harassment is any unwelcome conduct that makes a reasonable person feel uncomfortable, humiliated, intimidated, abused, or mentally distressed or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Cases of harassment include but are not limited to physical, visual or verbal (or even suggested) comments, sharing sexual images, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, brigading, doxing, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, derogatory statements, and inappropriate physical contact.
Whether conduct is offensive, unreasonable, or unwanted depends on the recipient’s perception, especially when individuals have different standards of what is considered offensive. If what you’re doing is making someone feel uncomfortable, that counts as harassment and is enough reason to stop doing it.
Sexual harassment is a particular type of harassment that includes unwelcome conduct such as sexual advances, flirtations, requests for sexual favours, remarks about an individual’s appearance, discussions, remarks or jokes of a sexual nature, touching an individual’s body, staring in a sexual manner, sex stereotyping, wearing sexualised clothing, asking for dates after the individual indicated that they are not interested, unwelcome sexual attention, and other verbal, visual, or physical conducts that create a sexualised environment.
Sexual harassment can be directed towards persons of the opposite or same gender. Retaliation against an individual for complaining about or reporting the type of behaviour described above is also considered a form of harassment.
Reporting
If you believe that you are being harassed or discriminated, have witnessed harassment or discrimination, think there may be a potential violation of the policy, or have any related concerns, please contact Hack Slovakia representatives using the address below. If what someone else is doing is making you or anyone else feel uncomfortable, that is enough reason to report it. Early reporting and intervention is the most effective method of resolving actual or perceived harassment or discrimination.
Complaints and investigations will be handled discreetly to maintain confidentiality to the extent practical and appropriate in each case, relating to the potential victim, accused, and the person who filed the complaint. All reporters have the right to remain anonymous.
Contact email: we-hear-you@hackslovakia.com
Information sent to this general reporting address will go to the representatives listed below. If you are uncomfortable reporting your situation to one or more of these people, you can contact any of them directly.
Representatives
The following representatives are recommended by the Board of Hack Slovakia to primarily handle any concerns regarding the code of conduct. Use the contact details below to address any concerns or questions privately.
- Juraj Mičko, juraj-hears-you@hackslovakia.com, +421907240239
- Matej Tarča, mtarca-hears-you@hackslovakia.com, +421915330030
- Nina Vargová, nvargova-hears-you@hackslovakia.com, +421904494168
Consequences
Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Consequences may lead to a formal warning by Hack Slovakia, suspension or expulsion from Hack Slovakia events or projects with no eligibility for reimbursement or refund of any type, and reaching out to respective authorities.
Amendments
Hack Slovakia reserves the right to revise, make exceptions to, or otherwise amend these policies in whole or in part.