Anti-Harassment Policy

Last Revised: January 2022

Publishers Weekly is committed to providing a safe and equal space for professional participation for all event attendees, exhibitors, and staff. We believe that everyone has the right to professional interaction without fear, intimidation, or belittlement, and that everyone has the right to fair and equal participation and treatment at any event, in-person or virtual, that Publishers Weekly produces.

As representatives of the publishing industry, we believe the industry’s strength is its people, and we cherish their diversity. We value all of our members, partners, and attendees equally, and will not accept any treatment in any arena of association business which goes contrary to this.

Publishers Weekly is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience at all of our events for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We have a zero-tolerance policy for hostile or harassing conduct of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including within exhibits, in session chat, or anywhere throughout in-person or virtual event spaces. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event [without a refund] at the discretion of the event organizers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Exhibitors participating in in-person or virtual exhibit halls, as well as speakers and presenters in in-person or virtual programs are both protected by and subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material.

Consequences
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund.

Reporting Hostile or Harassing Conduct; Investigations
If you believe you are being harassed or that someone else is being harassed, or you have any other concerns in this regard, please contact service@publishersweekly.com immediately.

Where a report of hostile or harassing conduct is made, reasonable measures will be taken to establish the facts. This will typically include discussion with witnesses, if any, and the person accused of engaging in the prohibited conduct. Inquiries will be carried out as confidentially as possible given the circumstances.

Knowingly making a false accusation of harassment or knowingly providing false information in the course of an investigation of a complaint may be grounds for discipline. A complaint made in good faith, even if found to be unsubstantiated, will not be considered a false accusation.

Retaliation Prohibited
It is a violation of this policy to retaliate against or harass any person who asserts his or her rights regarding harassment including, but not limited to, threats, reprimands, negative harassment.