Policy Statement

YSBD Workshops Ltd is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone involved in our organisation. We recognise that bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment can have serious emotional, psychological, and physical consequences.

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

All individuals have the right to participate in workshops, rehearsals, performances, and organisational activities in an environment that is free from intimidation, hostility, humiliation, or offensive behaviour.

YSBD Workshops Ltd is committed to:

• Promoting a culture of dignity, respect, and inclusion
• Preventing bullying, harassment, and inappropriate conduct
• Taking all concerns and complaints seriously
• Responding promptly, fairly, and sensitively to reported incidents
• Supporting individuals who experience or report inappropriate behaviour
• Taking reasonable and proactive steps to prevent harassment

This policy supports the organisation’s wider commitment to equality, safeguarding, and wellbeing and operates in line with relevant UK legislation including the Equality Act 2010, the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which places a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.

Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to all individuals involved with YSBD Workshops Ltd, including:

• Employees
• Freelance facilitators, teachers, and directors
• Volunteers
• Students and participants
• Parents and guardians
• Visiting artists and collaborators
• Audience members attending events or performances
• Contractors or external partners

The policy applies to behaviour occurring in connection with the organisation including:

• Classes and workshops
• Rehearsals
• Performances and productions
• Meetings and organisational activities
• Work-related social events
• Online workshops or digital learning environments
• Social media interactions connected to YSBD Workshops Ltd
• Off-site trips, tours, or performances

Unacceptable behaviour occurring outside organisational activities may still be addressed where it affects the safety, wellbeing, or reputation of individuals involved in YSBD Workshops Ltd.

Definitions

1. Bullying

Bullying is behaviour that intentionally harms, intimidates, humiliates, or undermines another person. It may occur as a single serious incident or as repeated behaviour.

Bullying often involves a perceived power imbalance between individuals.

Bullying may take many forms including:

• Verbal
• Physical
• Social or relational
• Psychological
• Online or digital (cyberbullying)

2. Harassment

Harassment is unwanted behaviour that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

Under the Equality Act 2010, harassment may relate to protected characteristics including:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Harassment may occur as a single incident or repeated behaviour.

Types of Bullying and Harassment

Bullying and harassment may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviours.

1.Verbal Bullying

• Name-calling or insults
• Offensive jokes or comments
• Mocking accents, identity, or background
• Threats or intimidation

2.Physical Bullying

• Pushing, hitting, or physical intimidation
• Blocking someone’s movement
• Damaging personal belongings

3.Social or Relational Bullying

• Deliberately excluding someone from activities
• Spreading rumours
• Public humiliation
• Undermining someone’s confidence or reputation

4.Cyberbullying

• Harassment through social media or messaging platforms
• Sending threatening or abusive messages
• Sharing embarrassing or private information

5.Discriminatory Bullying

• Bullying or harassment based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Bullying and Harassment in a Performing Arts Environment

Performing arts training can involve critique, physical movement, and close collaboration. It is essential that feedback remains constructive and respectful.

Examples of inappropriate behaviour within a performing arts setting may include:

• Criticising a participant’s body shape or physical appearance
• Mocking someone’s performance ability or confidence
• Excluding individuals from rehearsals, group work, or creative activities
• Making derogatory comments about identity, background, or culture
• Pressuring individuals to perform actions or scenes they are uncomfortable with

YSBD Workshops Ltd is committed to ensuring that creative environments remain safe, supportive, and constructive.

Sexual Harassment

YSBD Workshops Ltd operates a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment.

 

Sexual harassment is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010, and organisations have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent it under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023.

 

All individuals have the right to participate in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from sexual harassment.

 

Definition

Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of:

• Violating a person’s dignity, or
• Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

The behaviour may occur regardless of gender and may involve a single incident or repeated conduct.

 

Examples of Sexual Harassment

 

1.Verbal Conduct

• Sexual jokes or comments
• Suggestive remarks
• Comments about someone’s body or appearance
• Sexual propositions or advances

2.Non-Verbal Conduct

• Sexual gestures
• Displaying or sharing sexual images or material
• Sending sexually explicit messages or emails

3.Physical Conduct

• Unwanted touching or physical contact
• Inappropriate physical closeness
• Sexual assault

4.Other Behaviour

• Repeated requests for dates after refusal
• Sexual harassment through social media or digital platforms
• Creating a sexually hostile environment

 

Harassment may also be carried out by third parties, including visitors, audience members, collaborators, or clients.

 

Physical Contact in Rehearsals and Performances

Due to the nature of theatre and performance training, some activities may involve physical contact between participants.

 

YSBD Workshops Ltd is committed to ensuring that any physical interaction is conducted safely, respectfully, and professionally.

 

The following principles apply:

• Physical contact required for rehearsals or exercises will be explained in advance by staff or facilitators.
• Participants must respect the personal boundaries of others.
• No individual should feel pressured to engage in physical contact that causes discomfort.
• Physical interaction in scenes (e.g. embraces, stage combat, holding hands) should be choreographed and supervised.
• Participants may raise concerns or decline participation where they feel uncomfortable.
• Any physical contact outside of the rehearsal process must remain appropriate and respectful.

 

If a participant expresses discomfort, reasonable adjustments will be considered where possible.

 

Responsibilities

1. Directors and Management

Management at YSBD Workshops Ltd is responsible for:

• Promoting a respectful and inclusive culture
• Ensuring this policy is communicated and understood
• Taking reasonable steps to prevent harassment
• Responding promptly to reports or concerns
• Conducting fair and impartial investigations
• Taking appropriate disciplinary action where necessary
• Providing support to individuals affected

 

2. Staff, Facilitators and Volunteers

Staff, facilitators, and volunteers must:

• Model respectful behaviour at all times
• Treat all individuals fairly and professionally
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour where it occurs
• Report concerns or incidents to management
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants
• Ensure workshops are conducted in a safe and supportive environment

 

3. Students and Participants

Students and participants are expected to:

• Treat others with respect and kindness
• Avoid behaviour that could harm or upset others
• Follow guidance from staff and facilitators
• Respect personal boundaries during rehearsals and performances
• Report bullying, harassment, or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable

 

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action.

 

Possible actions may include:

• Verbal or written warnings
• Removal from a session or workshop
• Suspension from activities
• Permanent removal from programmes where appropriate

 

Reporting Concerns

Anyone who experiences or witnesses bullying or harassment is encouraged to report it as soon as possible.

 

Reports may be made to:

• A workshop leader or facilitator
• A member of staff
• The company director
• The designated safeguarding lead
• Another trusted adult within the organisation

 

Reports should include (where possible):

• Date and time of the incident
• Individuals involved
• Description of what occurred
• Names of any witnesses

Confidentiality will be respected wherever possible.

 

Informal Resolution

In some circumstances, issues may be resolved informally, for example by:

• Explaining that behaviour is unwanted
• Requesting that it stops
• Facilitated discussion or mediation

Individuals are not required to attempt informal resolution before making a formal complaint.

 

Formal Complaint Procedure

When a formal complaint is made:

• The complaint will be acknowledged promptly.
• An impartial investigation will be conducted.
• Relevant evidence will be gathered.
• Individuals involved may be interviewed.
• A decision will be made based on the findings.
• Appropriate action will be taken where necessary.

Participants may be accompanied by a colleague, parent, or guardian during formal meetings where appropriate.

 

Responding to Reports

YSBD Workshops Ltd will treat all reports seriously and respond appropriately.

 

Responses may include:

• Recording details of the incident
• Speaking with the individuals involved
• Assessing whether organisational policies have been breached
• Implementing appropriate action

 

Possible outcomes may include:

• Informal discussion or mediation
• Behavioural warnings
• Removal from sessions or programmes
• Disciplinary action for staff or volunteers
• Termination of contracts
• Referral to safeguarding authorities or law enforcement where required

Sexual harassment may constitute gross misconduct.

 

Protection from Victimisation

No individual will be treated unfairly for:

• Reporting bullying or harassment
• Supporting someone who has made a complaint
• Participating in an investigation

Retaliation or victimisation will itself be treated as misconduct.

 

Support for Individuals Affected

YSBD Workshops Ltd will support individuals affected by bullying or harassment by:

• Listening respectfully to concerns
• Taking steps to prevent further harm
• Providing reassurance and support
• Adjusting participation arrangements where appropriate

Where incidents involve children or young people, parents or guardians may be informed where appropriate.

 

Confidentiality

All complaints will be handled sensitively and confidentially. Information will only be shared with individuals directly involved in resolving the concern or where required for safeguarding purposes.

 

Relationship with Safeguarding

Where incidents involve children, young people, or vulnerable individuals, concerns may be escalated under the organisation’s safeguarding procedures.

Serious concerns may be referred to appropriate safeguarding authorities in line with statutory safeguarding duties.

 

Malicious or False Allegations

YSBD Workshops Ltd encourages individuals to report concerns in good faith.

 

However, deliberately false or malicious allegations may be treated as a breach of this policy and addressed accordingly.

 

Prevention

YSBD Workshops Ltd will take proactive steps to prevent bullying and harassment, including:

• Promoting respectful behaviour and inclusivity
• Establishing clear behavioural expectations
• Providing guidance for staff managing group dynamics
• Encouraging open communication and reporting of concerns
• Addressing inappropriate behaviour at an early stage

 

Classes and rehearsals should promote:

• Collaboration and teamwork
• Positive feedback
• Constructive critique
• Respect for differences in experience and ability

 

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or earlier if there are changes in legislation or organisational practice.

 

Policy Approval

Approved by:
Hannah Curran
Director, YSBD Workshops Ltd

Effective Date: January 2026
Next Review Date: January 2027