Safe Space

As Symph grows, we're taking proactive steps to ensure our culture remains safe and inclusive at every stage.

This Safe Space Policy clarifies expected behaviors and new processes to support our increasingly diverse team. While much of this has always been implicit in our values, we believe it's important to make it explicit as we scale.

Symph is committed to providing a positive environment where everyone can contribute to our shared success. We all have a right to, and responsibility for, a workplace free from harassment, discrimination, misconduct, abusive conduct, and retaliation.

This policy applies to all Symphers, Symphterns, applicants, clients, and third parties, regardless of work arrangement (on-site or remote). It covers conduct at work and work-related events.

Harassment

Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on someone's protected status that creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive environment or where enduring such conduct is a condition of employment. It can involve a single severe incident or ongoing less severe incidents.

Harassment can include:

Derogatory jokes, pranks, or comments

Slurs or epithets

Nonverbal behaviors like staring, leering, or gestures

Ridiculing or demeaning comments

Innuendos or veiled threats

Displaying offensive images

Offensive comments about appearance or personal characteristics

Unnecessary or unwanted physical contact

This list is not exhaustive. Symph may consider conduct a violation even if it's not unlawful.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including:

Unwanted sexual advances or requests for favors

Conditioning employment on submission to sexual advances (quid pro quo)

Conduct that unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates a hostile environment, even without tangible job consequences

Displaying obscene or sexually offensive images

Unwanted sexually charged comments, jokes, or physical contact

Threats or demands for sexual favors in exchange for employment benefits

Sexual harassment can occur between individuals of any gender. It does not require sexual desire as a motivation.

Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness potential violations of this policy:

Tell the person to stop, if you feel safe doing so.

Report it to the chiefs, unless they're involved. Then talk to your talent manager.

If you don't trust the chiefs or your talent manager, consult the list of Trusted People at Symph.

All Symphers must immediately report potential violations. Symph will investigate promptly and thoroughly.

Additional Rules

No direct messages between Symphers/Symphterns on any platform, to avoid inappropriate discussions. Keep communication on open team channels.

Symphers can date each other if they disclose it to the team. But Symphers cannot date Symphterns, to prevent unwanted advances tied to roles.

When assessing potential violations, we consider whether a reasonable person would find the conduct intimidating, hostile or offensive. Claiming you didn't mean it, were joking, or were drinking are not valid excuses.

Building a Safe Culture

At Symph, we all own creating a safe, inclusive workplace. Speak up if you have concerns. We'll handle every report with urgency and care.

Harassment and discrimination undermine the trust and respect that our work depends on. By being vigilant and holding each other accountable, we can keep Symph a place where everyone is empowered to do their best work.