Working at Writers Theatre: Our Code of Conduct

Over the past year, WT has taken steps to enhance our workplace policies to ensure that everyone at WT is valued, heard and respected. These efforts have also included implementing new policies and strategies, led by and including the participation of WT’s full staff, legal counsel and consultants.

One aspect of our workplace enhancement was the creation of a Code of Conduct. Over a nine-month process, the full staff along with external Human Resource consultants went through an iterative process to capture in words, the best aspects of the WT culture and the expectations for all who work here. While the already existing WT Personnel Handbook affirms our policies against disrespectful and bullying behavior, harassment and misconduct, the Code of Conduct is a complement to the WT Personnel Handbook and provides guidelines on behaviors and processes for anyone participating in the work of our organization.

The Code of Conduct was developed with the participation, input and approval of the full WT staff. It is a living document that will continue to be reviewed and refined. We will monitor our progress in fulfilling our collective values through yearly self and organizational assessments.

In addition to the creation of our Code of Conduct, WT has continued to enhance our organization for staff and artists. These steps include, but are not limited to:

• Adding additional HR staff to support the company’s focus on workplace conduct, increasing the multiple pathways for conversations and support for staff and artists, based on each person’s level of comfort and desire for anonymity.
• Refining and clarifying its personnel handbook and reviewing with the staff its conflict resolution and other human resources policies and procedures. 
• Providing its harassment and workplace conduct policies, including the names and contact information for the staff members responsible for receiving complaints of violations of these policies, to all artists on the first day of rehearsal for each production and posting these documents in public locations for future reference.
• Continuing to conduct annual training on harassment and workplace conduct. Our most recent session was held in January 2018 and was led by outside legal counsel and included staff and artists. 
• Engaging WT’s department head staff members in leadership and management training to strengthen our skills as leaders, managers and colleagues of WT.

To read our Code of Conduct, please click here.

Writers Theatre is committed to providing a generous and equitable work environment for everyone involved in bringing its mission to life, from artists and staff, to our Board of Directors, supporters and audience members. We make this commitment to all members of our WT family and expect anyone engaging with WT to support this commitment through their actions.