Client and Visitor Code of Conduct
At Sitka, we are dedicated to fostering a safe, respectful, and professional environment where every individual is treated with courtesy and dignity. This commitment extends to all clients, visitors, employees, contractors, and members of the public who access our facilities.
This Client and Visitor Code of Conduct supports and complements our Harassment and Anti-Bullying Policy, which affirms every worker’s right to perform their duties in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any kind. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that promotes equality, mutual respect, and professionalism.
This Policy applies to all individuals receiving services from Sitka, whether directly or through a third-party payer (collectively referred to as “Clients”), as well as all individuals attending our premises for any purpose, including guests, suppliers, vendors, interpreters, support persons, and family members (collectively referred to as “Visitors”). Adherence to this Policy is a condition of receiving services and entering our facilities.
Standards of Conduct for Clients and Visitors
Sitka maintains a zero-tolerance approach toward harassment, bullying, violence, or inappropriate behaviour of any kind, including verbal, physical, sexual, or environmental misconduct.
All Clients and Visitors are expected to interact respectfully with our employees and must refrain from any behaviour that may be considered abusive, discriminatory, harassing, threatening, or bullying. In particular, conduct that violates the protected grounds outlined in the British Columbia Human Rights Code will not be tolerated.
Bullying and harassment may take many forms and can include behaviour, comments, actions, or gestures that create an intimidating, hostile, or uncomfortable environment. Examples of unacceptable behaviour include, but are not limited to:
- Unwanted physical contact;
- Physical aggression or acts of violence;
- Verbal abuse, intimidation, or insulting comments;
- Offensive jokes, teasing, or taunting;
- Racist, sexist, or discriminatory remarks;
- Unwelcome advances, requests, or suggestive comments;
- Inappropriate staring or offensive gestures;
- Displaying, sharing, or distributing explicit or offensive images or materials.
Consequences of Policy Violations
Sitka takes all breaches of this Policy seriously and is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our staff, Clients, and Visitors.
Where a Client or Visitor fails to comply with the expectations outlined in this Policy, Sitka reserves the right to take immediate and appropriate action. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- Issuing a verbal or written warning outlining expected standards of behaviour as a condition of continued treatment or access to the premises; and/or if these warnings are not followed
- Suspending or terminating services, or restricting or prohibiting future access to Sitka’s facilities.