Re: Proposed IETF Anti-Harassment Policy

Hi,

Thanks,
Donald
=============================
 Donald E. Eastlake 3rd   +1-508-333-2270 (cell)
 155 Beaver Street, Milford, MA 01757 USA
 d3e3e3(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com


On Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 9:27 AM, Ted Hardie 
<ted(_dot_)ietf(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com> wrote:

This is a good idea.  If the professionals thinking this is the right
wording, that is also fine by me.

I do note the phrase "harassing photography or recording";  I believe our
current rules say "written, audio and video records of meetings may be made
and may be available to the public."  It may be appropriate to adjust it to
something like "harassing photography or recording of individuals outside
their roles as participants" or to otherwise clarify how photography becomes
harassment.


Years ago, when I was Chair of the TRADE WG, there was a participant
who had severe disagreements with me concerning procedure and some
technical issues. No one else supported them and they didn't appeal
but they started videotaping WG meetings that I chaired. This
certainly made me feel somewhat uncomfortable, although it just added
a video recording to the audio recording already being made by the
IETF, and I could argue that they were trying to harass or, perhaps
more accurately, intimidate me. Never-the-less, they had the right to
do that and I don't think they should have been stopped from doing so.

Thanks,
Donald
=============================
 Donald E. Eastlake 3rd   +1-508-333-2270 (cell)
 155 Beaver Street, Milford, MA 01757 USA
 d3e3e3(_at_)gmail(_dot_)com

regards,

Ted Hardie


On Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 10:44 AM, IETF Chair <chair(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org> 
wrote:


The IETF should be an open and accessible body in which any individual
feels
able to participate without fear of oppression or harassment.  The IESG
has
become aware of some incidents of concern, is aware of various incidents
in our
industry in general, and has also observed that many similar organisations
and
conferences have a policy on this matter.

In order to ensure the right atmosphere and to provide a suitable
environment,
the IESG has decided that it is desirable to write a simple and
straightforward
policy on harassment. This is not only to remind participants not to
harass
others (something that we hope is obvious to us all), but also to let
anyone who
it the target of harassment know that we take these matters seriously and
that
there is something they can do to address these sorts of incidents should
they
occur.

A small design team has looked at existing policies used by other groups
similar
to the IETF and consulted with some of the ISOC professionals with
expertise in
human resources and issues of workplace harassment. The design team has
put
together what the IESG feels is a good anti-harassment policy for the
IETF: It
is short and to the point, it is modeled on and makes heavy re-use of the
language of existing policies, and it sets forth reasonable procedures for
the
IETF.

The IESG intends to put in place Ombudspersons as confidential initial
contact
points for situations where there is a concern of harassment. The
selection of
Ombudspersons will happen later, and the person(s) will have appropriate
training and expertise.

The IESG plans to adopt this as an IESG Statement. We solicit your
feedback. We
understand that this is a difficult and sensitive topic to discuss, but we
do
want your comments. If you feel more comfortable sending comments directly
to
the IESG <iesg(_at_)ietf(_dot_)org> rather than discussing them on the IETF 
list,
please
feel free to do so.

Jari Arkko for the IESG

--- Draft Statement ---

IETF Anti-Harassment Policy

IETF meetings, virtual meetings, and mailing lists are intended for
professional
collaboration and networking. The IETF strives to create and maintain an
environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and
respect.
Those who participate in the IETF are expected to behave according to
professional standards and demonstrate appropriate workplace behavior.
While
participating in the IETF, communication between participants should be
appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different
backgrounds.

While our processes let chairs deal with disruptive public behaviors on
mailing
lists and in IETF face-to-face meetings, harassment is a serious problem
that
warrants special attention. IETF participants should not engage in
harassment
while at IETF meetings, virtual meetings, social events, or on mailing
lists.
Harassment is unwelcome hostile or intimidating behavior, in particular
speech
and behavior that is sexually aggressive or intimidates based on
attributes like
race, gender, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, disability,
sexual orientation, or gender identity. Harassment of this sort will not
be
tolerated in the IETF. Harassment includes the use of offensive language
or
sexual imagery in public presentations and displays, degrading verbal
comments,
deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing photography or recording,
inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply
immediately. If you believe you have been harassed, notice that
someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, you are
encouraged
to raise your concern in confidence with one of the Ombudspersons.

If these standards are violated, appropriate action will be taken.