Diversity, equality and inclusion policy, and event code of conduct

We have developed a set of guidelines that we expect all guests of Utterly Content to respect follow, as well as sharing our own standards of practice. This will allow a safe and enjoyable space for all guests to be a part of, and forms part of our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion

We are committed diversity, equality and inclusion through our events and associated activities by:

• Ensuring that we do not discriminate against anyone on grounds of age, disability, employment or financial status, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

• Taking proactive steps to ensure that our speaker line-ups are representative of the industries that we serve, and include diverse representation. We support this by:

  • Approaching individuals from under-represented groups to directly invite them to submit speaker proposals.

  • Offering mentoring, coaching and support to our speakers to help them overcome barriers to participation.

  • Approaching compensation of speakers from a place of equality, fairness and transparency.

• Taking proactive steps to ensure that our delegates are representative of the industries that we serve, and include diverse representation. We support this by:

  • Offering generous inclusion scholarships to provide access for free attendance.

  • Keeping the price to attend our events at affordable rates.

  • Proactively reaching out to a wide range of communities to promote our events and scholarships.

• Provide guidance to our speakers to ensure that the content of their session does not discriminate.

• Include sessions and discussions on our programme that advances conversations, knowledge and training about diversity, equality and inclusion and the role that content strategists and content designers have to play in this.

• Take seriously any complaints or reports of incidents that we receive (see below).

Code of conduct for conference attendees

This policy applies to everyone and to all spaces in which conference conversations take place (our online and physical conference venues, Slack, Twitter, etc).

• Utterly Content is designed to be a safe and welcoming space for all, free of harassment, disrespectful or threatening behaviour.

• We are committed to ensuring the practice of diversity and inclusion in all that we do and represent. We strictly adhere to the 2010 Equality Act (UK), and actively support minority groups in the content community. We will not tolerate any kind of discrimination towards individuals or groups, and will follow the procedure outlined below if discrimination has occurred. 

• We require that all participants treat each other with compassion and kindness, creating a welcoming and warm environment for everyone from the most seasoned conference attendees to conference first-timers.

• We ask that participants honour each other’s requests for specific pronouns to be used when speaking to or about one another.

• We expect everyone to behave in a professional manner.

• We encourage open debate, questioning and dialogue in a polite and respectful way. This means asking questions at appropriate times and not interrupting others when they speak or present. This also means critiquing ideas or concepts, and not making it about the person sharing them.

• Discussions and questions during scheduled sessions should focus on asking clear questions of speakers and other participants, or sharing relevant insights. They should not be used as an opportunity for self-promotion or promotion or a company, service or product.

• We ask participants to respect each other’s privacy and identity with respect to images or comments shared online.

• We ask that where speakers and other delegates make comments under “Chatham House Rules” or expressed confidentially, that no such comments be reported on social media or repeated outside of the session that you are in.

What to do if you experience or witness any inappropriate behaviour

Should any guest of Utterly Content feel uncomfortable at any time or see another guest act inappropriately or break the code of conduct, please follow one of the procedures:

• Report the incident to a member of staff. At in-person events, this will be to volunteers and Utterly Content Ltd or Pickle Jar Communications Ltd staff who will be identifiable through their branded t-shirts. At both in-person and online events, this can be done by emailing hello@utterlycontent.com. This inbox will be monitored throughout the conference and will be picked up by a member of the team. 

• All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality. If you wish for your comments to be kept in confidence, we will strictly protect your privacy. Reports of harassment will be heard and acted upon immediately. This may include asking individuals to leave the conference without a refund of their conference fee. In extreme cases, this may result in reporting the individual to their employer’s HR department or the police.

• Should you wish to escalate a concern or a complaint, please contact Tracy Playle, founder and CEO of Utterly Content Ltd directly by emailing tracy@utterlycontent.com.