Code of Conduct

What this is

This Code of Conduct outlines the behavior we expect during a large, in-person gathering together — the first of its kind in many years. While we don’t anticipate bad behavior from our community, everyone benefits when rules for gathering are intentional and visible. This document defines acceptable and unacceptable behaviors and lists ways to get help or assistance for yourself or others.

Expected behavior 

Vox Media and the Product Team are committed to providing a welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, physical abilities, physical appearances, socioeconomic backgrounds, nationalities, ages, religions, and beliefs, as spelled out in our Company Code Of Conduct and Employee Handbook. 

During our time together in Philly, we expect you to:

• Follow the expectations set in our Company Code of Conduct and Handbook.

• Be considerate, respectful and collaborative.

• Respect people’s needs as it relates to personal space and hygiene. 

• Cultivate inclusivity through positive action.

• Honor and respect the Vox Media Product community and the surrounding environment we’re visiting.

• Encourage and maximize participation of all our community members.

Unacceptable Behavior

Examples of unacceptable behaviors include*: 

• Intimidation

  • Coercing someone into doing or not doing something.

• Harassment

  • Hostility or derogatory actions/behaviors based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, political affiliation.

  • Sexual/Gender harassment can include non-sexual advances or behaviors.

• Microaggressions

  • The everyday, subtle, intentional — and often unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward others.

• Abuse 

  • Any act or threat of verbal, physical or emotional violence.

• Threatening behavior

  • Threatening behavior is any statement, communication, or gesture — both verbal and written — that is directed at any member of the Vox Media community (employee, contractor, partner, or audience member) that causes reasonable fear of physical harm to a person or property. 

• Discrimination

  • The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

• Derogatory or demeaning language or actions.

• Any other behavior that violates Company policies.

*Note that many of these unacceptable behaviors are more fully defined in our Handbook or Code of Conduct and the list above is intended as a guide and summary and not a replacement for those formalized definitions. 

Please be mindful of alcohol consumption and substances as it relates to this event; we are all adults, but remember this is a company-sponsored, professional work event, and you are here as a representative of our organization. Any Employee who exhibits behavior showing irresponsible consumption of alcohol or who is not in control of their behavior due to alcohol consumption will be dismissed from the event and/or asked to return to their hotel room.

Your Role In Taking Action

Cultivating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive culture means harnessing our strengths as a community in order to empower our attendees to do their best work together and individually. It doesn’t mean policing, but it does mean caretaking. If something seems or feels uncomfortable, say something:

• Take action, if you can. 

  • Intervene as soon as you witness unacceptable conduct, or it’s reported to you.

  • Alert a member of the summit safety team if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this code of conduct or any other company policy, even if they seem inconsequential.  

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• People Managers: Remember you have a duty to report when you observe a potential violation. Here are some ways you can tackle the issue:

  • Talk to Liz, our people business partner, who will be at the event (203-253-0534)

  • Talk to your manager

  • Address it directly (If you’re comfortable, speak privately with the individuals involved to discuss their actions and the impacts.)

  • Call the phone tree above

  • File an anonymous report using AllVoices (voxmedia.allvoices.com)