Bright Spark Brewing Code of Conduct Supplemental Document

  1. Scope and Applicability

Bright Spark’s Code of Conduct applies to all employees, vendors, and customers on company property, during company time, and at company-sponsored events.

  1. Goals

    • Ensure equitable and respectful treatment

      1. Define acceptable behavior

      2. Identify unacceptable behaviors

    • Contribute to organizational identity

      1. Foster a culture that upholds our Core Values

      2. Provide guidance on addressing issues

  2. Our Commitment:

We are dedicated to providing a safe, harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of personal characteristics. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, respect, civility, and honesty.

  1. Core Values

    • CURIOSITY:  To be humble, hungry for knowledge, & open-minded

    • INCLUSIVITY: To be friendly, approachable, & welcoming to all

    • EDUCATION: To be transparent, generous with knowledge, & open to learning

    • ENGAGEMENT: To be community-minded, passionate, & action-oriented

  2. Expected Behaviors

    • Maintain professionalism, integrity, and ethics

    • Treat all individuals with respect and dignity

    • Promote an inclusive environment

    • Adhere to responsible service and safety protocols

    • Maintain high quality standards

    • Foster teamwork and open communication

    • Protect confidentiality and data

    • Comply with laws, regulations, and company policies

  3. Prohibited Behaviors *See addendum for detailed examples

    • Abuse, bullying, discrimination, or harassment in any form

    • Patronizing language or behavior 

    • Disruptive negativity

    • Microaggressions

    • Retaliation against those who file complaints

  4. Reporting and Compliance

    • Report violations using the Policy Incident Report and/or a Safety Incident Report

    • Cooperate with investigations

    • Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination

All employees, vendors, and customers are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct, contributing to a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment that reflects our Core Values.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, ___________________________ [print name], acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the Bright Spark Brewing Code of Conduct, including the Prohibited Behaviors Addendum. I agree to the following:

1. I will adhere to all aspects of this Code of Conduct in my daily work and interactions at Bright Spark Brewing.

2. I understand and will uphold the company's Core Values of CURIOSITY, INCLUSIVITY, EDUCATION, and ENGAGEMENT.

3. I commit to maintaining the expected behaviors outlined in this document, including professionalism, respect, and integrity.

4. I understand the prohibited behaviors detailed in the addendum and will refrain from engaging in any such conduct.

5. I will report any violations of this Code of Conduct that I witness or become aware of using the proper reporting procedures.

6. I understand that failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

7. I acknowledge that this Code of Conduct is not a contract of employment and does not change the at-will nature of my employment with Bright Spark Brewing.

8. I agree to participate in any required training related to this Code of Conduct and to stay informed about any updates or changes to the policy.

9. I understand my responsibility in contributing to a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment that aligns with Bright Spark Brewing's values and expectations.

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to abide by all aspects of the Bright Spark Brewing Code of Conduct, including the Prohibited Behaviors Addendum.

Employee Signature: ________________________________

Date:______________

Please return this signed acknowledgement to the Human Resources department for record-keeping purposes.

*PROHIBITED BEHAVIORS ADDENDUM

Examples of Prohibited Behaviors:

  1. Verbal, physical, or written abuse

  2. Bullying or intimidation

  3. Discrimination or victimization

  4. Harassment in any form, including but not limited to: 

    1. Offensive comments related to protected characteristics

    2. Unwelcome comments about personal lifestyle choices 

    3. Deliberate misgendering or use of rejected names 

    4. Inappropriate sexual behavior or attention 

    5. Threats of violence or incitement of self-harm 

    6. Stalking or following 

    7. Harassing photography or recording 

    8. Sustained disruption of discussion 

    9. Inappropriate social contact or communication 

    10. Deliberate "outing" of any aspect of a person's identity without consent

    11. Publication of non-harassing private communication

  5. Patronizing  language or behavior:

    1. Intentionally or unintentionally making assumptions about the skills or knowledge of others, such as using language that implies the audience is uninformed on a topic (e.g., interjections like "I can't believe you don't know about [topic]").

    2. Assuming that particular groups of people are technically unskilled due to their characteristics (e.g., “So easy your grandmother could do it”, which implies an older woman might not be technically competent).

    3. Interrupting or repeatedly commenting in conversations with unneccessary clarifications or comments on audience behavior (e.g., "I don't think you understood my previous comment...", grammar or language corrections that were not invited).

    4. Regardless of the speaker's intentions, some phrases or constructions lead people to expect a patronizing statement to follow. For example, beginning an interjection with a phrase like "Well, actually..." can set this expectation and be taken as a sign of disrespect.

    5. Patronizing or Condescending body language can include facial expressions, gestures, and posture. Examples include but are not limited to:

      1. Facial expressions: Rolling the eyes, smirking, curling the lips, wrinkling the nose, or peering over glasses

      2. Gestures: Waving away comments, shrugging, or putting up a hand to shush someone

      3. Posture: Leaning back, looking down one's nose, crossing arms or legs, or standing over someone 

      4. Condescending or Negative body language can also be paired with other behaviors, such as:

        1. Using dismissive or belittling language

        2. Speaking in a slow, deliberate manner

        3. Interrupting or talking over others

        4. Having a sarcastic or sardonic tone

        5. Interrupting to correct someone's pronunciation

        6. Refusing to engage in conversation

        7. Refusing to make eye contact

  6. Disruptive Negativity

    1. Constant complaining: Repeatedly voicing unproductive dissatisfaction about work, colleagues, or the company without offering constructive solutions.

    2. Gossiping and spreading rumors: Engaging in harmful talk about coworkers or management that creates a toxic environment.

    3. Insubordination: Openly defying or disrespecting authority figures and refusing to follow reasonable instructions.

    4. Sabotaging teamwork: Deliberately undermining team efforts or refusing to cooperate with colleagues.

    5. Verbal abuse: Using offensive language, shouting, or making derogatory comments towards coworkers or management.

    6. Bullying behavior: Intimidating, humiliating, or threatening others in the workplace.

    7. Chronic pessimism: Consistently focusing only on worst-case scenarios, and discouraging others' enthusiasm or ideas.

    8. Passive-aggressive behavior: Indirectly expressing negative feelings through actions like procrastination, sarcasm, or subtle insults.

    9. Disruptive body language: Rolling eyes, sighing loudly, or displaying other non-verbal cues that convey disrespect or frustration.

    10. Refusal to adapt: Consistently resisting change or new initiatives, often vocally and without valid reasons.

    11. Public criticism: Openly criticizing company policies, decisions, or colleagues in a non-constructive manner.

    12. Excessive negativity in meetings: Consistently shutting down ideas or dominating discussions with pessimistic views.

    13. Withholding information: Deliberately not sharing important information that could help colleagues or projects succeed.

    14. Creating cliques: Forming exclusive groups that isolate or exclude other team members.

    15. Chronic absenteeism or tardiness: Regularly missing work or arriving late, which can negatively impact team morale and productivity.

  7. Microaggressions, which are small comments or questions, either intentional or unintentional, that marginalize people by communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative beliefs through language or body language. Examples include, but are not limited to:

    1. Feigning surprise at someone’s lack of knowledge or awareness about a topic.

    2. The use of racially charged language to describe an individual or thing.

    3. Referring to an individual in a way that demeans or challenges the validity of any part of their identity.

    4. Mocking someone’s real or perceived accent or first language.

  8. Retaliating, or taking adverse action, against anyone who files a complaint that someone has violated this Code of Conduct.