Our Code of Conduct

We take work place safety seriously.

As a matter of fundamental principle, Portland Fashion Week represents the community and therefore adheres itself to the highest ethical standards and therefore has a zero tolerance policy regarding violence, drug use and criminal activity.

Sponsors, Donators, and volunteers, and the community itself, support Portland Fashion Week because they trust all its representatives to carry out their missions, be good stewards of their resources and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. But Portland Fashion Week, at its base, is made of up people; board members, executive leaders, staff and volunteers, who are responsible to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, openness, respect and responsibility. Since our beginning we have taken work place safety seriously. Our zero tolerance for violence and drug use creates a safe zone for all involved has been codified into Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville Portland Fashion Week since 2015.

The Staff Code of Conduct

The following section articulates Portland Fashion Week's expectations regarding the behavior of board members, executive leaders, staff and volunteers. These expectations represent a standard of conduct to which all should strive. While failure to uphold these standards at all times and in all situations may not be grounds for disciplinary action, repeated failure or unwillingness to conform to this code of conduct may be cited as a performance deficiency resulting in dismissal.

Board members, executive leaders, staff and volunteers:

1. Accountability:

Accept responsibility for their decisions, for the foreseeable consequences of their actions and their inactions, and for setting an example for others.

2. Civility:

Are committed to working and supporting a work environment that creates an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each other.

3. Collaboration:

Will cooperate and contribute to the common good of PortlandFashion Week. Will be helpful and supportive of each other. Will never publically express sarcasm, ridicule or cynicism of one another or others in the fashion industry. Refuse to engage in negative gossip regarding others within the Portland Fashion Week organization. Will tolerate risk taking, allowing others to make mistakes, and accept errors as learning experiences.

4. Maturity:

Accept responsibility for own actions, inactions, errors, and omissions.

Accept the special obligation of modeling emotional self-control in Portland Fashion Week work environment. Give and receive constructive criticism with openness and a positive attitude, understanding that there is always room for improvement. Refrain from behaviors that reflect negatively upon oneself or Portland Fashion Week.

5. Professionalism:

Behave in a professional manner at all times. Pursue the highest standards of neatness and timeliness and produce work that meets the highest possible degree of quality. Be courteous, pleasant and considerate. Conscientiously work at maintaining positive working relationships with others. Never engage in workplace behavior that could possibly be misconstrued by others as mean-spirited, abusive or unprofessional, regardless of the intent.

6. Respect:

Demonstrate respect of other people at all times. Treat others as one would want to be treated, with dignity and respect.

7. Workplace Violence:

Portland Fashion Week is committed to maintaining a violence-free environment wherever it conducts its business by ensuring all staff are free as possible from intimidation, threats of violence, acts of violence, or any abusive behavior.

 Intimidation is defined as an intentional act toward another person, causing the other person to reasonably fear for her/his safety or the safety of others

 A threat of violence is defined as an intentional act that threatens bodily harm to another person or damage to the property of another

 An act of violence is defined as an intentional act that causes bodily harm, however slight, to another person, or damage to the property of anotherViolent behavior includes but is not limited to:

 The actual or implied threat of harm to an individual, group of individuals or relatives of those individuals

 Loud, angry or disruptive behavior that is clearly not a part of the typical work environment including:

o Unwelcome name calling, obscene language or other abusive behavior

o Intimidation through direct or veiled threats

o Throwing objects in the work environment regardless of the size or type of the object being thrown, or whether the person is the target of the thrown object o Physically touching another person in an intimidating, malicious, or harassing manner including such acts as hitting, slapping, poking, kicking, pinching, grabbing and pushing

o Physically intimidating others including such acts as obscene gestures, shouting and fist shaking

8. Workplace Aggression

Portland Fashion week defines workplace aggression as "repeated inappropriate behavior" either direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, and is conducted by one or more persons against another or others. Such behavior violatesPortland Fashion Week's Code of Conduct which clearly states that all its members be treated with dignity and respect. The purpose of this directive is to communicate to all staff and volunteers of Portland Fashion Week that it will not, in any instance, tolerate aggression. Anyone found in violation of this policy will be disciplined, up to and including dismissal. Workplace aggression may be intentional or unintentional, however if an allegation of aggression is made, the intention of the aggressor is irrelevant. As in sexual harassment, it is the effect of the behavior on the individual which is important. Portland Fashion Week considers the following types of behavior, examples of aggression:

 Verbal bullying: Unwelcome slandering, ridiculing or maligning a person or her/his family

 Persistent name calling which is hurtful, insulting and humiliating

 Using a person as butt of jokes

 Abusive and offensive remarks

 Touching, grabbing

 Public humiliation in any form

 Public reprimands

This policy lists a code of ethics and code of conduct that, by necessity, is general in outlining broad principles and guidelines for the operational needs of Portland Fashion Week. In the coming years, as Portland Fashion Week grows, this document will be reviewed and revised as necessary.