Code of Conduct

Purpose of this Code of Conduct

  • To set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected from anyone representing Blue Beyond [referred to as the “organisation”] in either a voluntary capacity or as a member of the Executive.

  • To support equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion, and the absence of any and all inappropriate behaviour, in all aspects of the organisation’s activities.

  • This code covers behaviour on any social media platform and in person.

This Code of Conduct sets out the framework of behaviour expected of those organisation representatives (listed under ‘Who is the Code of Conduct for?’ below), who are required as a strict condition of their ongoing representation of the organisation, membership of and engagement with Blue Beyond to this Code of Conduct in their activities representing the organisation.

Who is the code of conduct for?

This Code of Conduct is for anyone who formally represents the organisation in any capacity. Roles covered by this code of conduct are, and not limited to, Director, Communications Strategy Lead, Communications Operations Lead, Student Liaison Lead, Parliamentary Liaison Lead, Regional Coordinator, Membership Lead, PMO Lead, Project Manager, analyst or Blue Beyond member.

What standards are expected of individuals covered by this Code?

They should demonstrate the following principles:

  • Selflessness

  • Integrity

  • Objectivity

  • Accountability

  • Openness

  • Honesty

  • Leadership

They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs and should:

  • Lead by example to encourage and foster respect and tolerance;

  • Treat others in a professional and straightforward manner;

  • Not use their position to bully, abuse, victimise, harass or unlawfully discriminate against others (see further the interpretation annex);

  • Take reasonable steps to ensure that people who wish to raise concerns about bullying, discrimination, harassment and/or victimisation by others feel able to do so, and know how to follow the complaints procedure set out in this Code;

  • Co-operate fully with any process set down by the Blue Beyond Executive should a grievance process be instigated. This Code will be made publicly available on the Blue Beyond website.

What actions will be taken if an individual falls short of the expectations of this Code of Conduct?

If an individual’s behaviour is deemed by the Executive to have fallen outside of the expectations laid out in this Code of Conduct, their membership of the organisation will be revoked and any relevant groups and authorities (including, but not limited to, and where considered appropriate: the police, the Conservative and Unionist Party and educational establishments) will be informed.

ANNEX: INTERPRETATION

Discrimination includes victimising or harassing any other person because of race (including colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship), sex, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, religion or belief [which should be interpreted as fully adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism which the Conservative Party adopted in December 2016], pregnancy and maternity status.

Harassment is any unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive situation or environment for them. A single incident can amount to harassment. Harassment may involve conduct of a sexual nature (sexual harassment), or it may be related to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Harassment is unacceptable even if it does not fall within any of these categories. Victimisation provisions protect certain individuals who do (or might do) acts such as bringing discrimination claims, complaining about harassment, or getting involved in some way with another complaint (such as giving evidence).

Victimisation may therefore occur where a person subjects another person to a detriment because either that person has acted in such a way and/or is believed to have acted in such a way, or may act in such a way.

Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Power does not always mean being in a position of authority, but can include both personal strength, influence and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation. Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct