Code of conduct

Introduction

TTS is committed to building a safe and harassment-free environment for everyone.

This Code of Conduct summarizes federal anti-harassment laws and General Services Administration policies. We intend the plain-language approach to foster respect.

We expect everyone on the TTS team to exhibit these behaviors and abide by applicable federal laws and GSA policies. In addition, we expect everyone within TTS spaces to refrain from behavior prohibited by anti-harassment laws and GSA policies on harassment. These spaces include:

• TTS physical offices,
• TTS events and meetings,
• All of our online forums and virtual collaboration tools, including:
  • Office chat rooms, like Slack
  • Mailing lists and email
  • Code repositories, like GitHub
  • Emoji, avatars, and other expressive reactions

What We Strive For

We strive to create a positive environment that empowers people to provide outstanding public service. That kind of atmosphere requires an open exchange of ideas balanced by thoughtful guidelines. If we have only openness, colleagues who are on the receiving end of thoughtless or intentionally hurtful comments and behavior may reasonably withdraw. If we have overly intrusive guidelines, people may feel unwelcome.

It would be impossible to list everything that the staff can do to create a positive work environment, and we know this team will find ways to include their colleagues that we haven't even thought of. But when in doubt, we encourage you to look to these principles for guidance:

• Practice empathy and humility.
• Assume competence in your colleagues, clients and the public.
• Assume that everyone we work with is doing their best work for the public.
• Listen carefully and actively.
• Ask questions, and seek to understand your partners' context.
• Encourage other people to listen as much as they speak.
• Treat others with respect.

Unacceptable Behavior

To help colleagues understand the kinds of behaviors that are illegal or run counter to the work-culture we seek to foster, we've listed below actions that violate federal law and GSA policies. We've also included steps to take if you encounter behavior that runs contrary to this policy.

Sexual and Non-Sexual Harassment

GSA Policies forbids:

• Sexual and non-sexual harassment and misconduct
• Unwelcome verbal or written comment or physical conduct based on:
  • race,
  • religion,
  • color,
  • sex,
  • national origin,
  • age,
  • disability,
  • genetic information,
  • parental status,
  • marital status,
  • or political affiliation.
• Retaliating against anyone who files a formal complaint that someone has violated GSA anti-harassment policies.

Conduct Unbecoming a Federal Employee

Federal employees can be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including removal, for conduct unbecoming a federal employee, which is conduct that is unattractive; unsuitable; detracting from one's character or reputation; or creates an unfavorable impression. Abusive and demeaning remarks to and about others in the workplace, and sexual remarks, which do not rise to the level of sexual harassment under the employment discrimination laws, nonetheless can be considered conduct unbecoming a federal employee.

Other Unacceptable Behavior

In addition, the following behaviors violate applicable laws and policies, or otherwise undermine the work-culture of respect we seek to build within TTS:

• Touching people without their affirmative consent.
• Sustained disruption of meetings, talks, or discussions, including chat rooms.
• Mocking someone's real or perceived accent or first language.
• Repeatedly interrupting or talking over other people in meetings and discussions.
• Negative or offensive remarks based on gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, or body size.
• Using emoji or creation of custom emoji for unacceptable behavior.

Reporting violations

GSA's , external,Policy Statement on Sexual and Non-Sexual Harassment and GSA's , external,Anti-Harassment Procedures in the Workplace describe processes for reporting violations. Depending on your complaint, you may have a 45-day window from the date of the incident to report it to GSA. Please read the documents carefully.

The behaviors listed in this section undermine the positive and respectful environment that we are trying to build within TTS. We encourage you to report violations to your supervisor, any management official, a Human Resources official, and/or the Office of Civil Rights, so that TTS can take any necessary steps to ensure that we have a safe and welcoming team.

Credits

Laws and Policies Concerning Workplace Harassment:

• , external,Laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• , external,Types of Discrimination prohibited by law
• , external,New and proposed regulations