Studio Policies

Read through our Important Studio Policies Here:

Circus School’s Commitment

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Circus School is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, can contribute fully and have equal opportunities whether at the Studio or online and on social media (collectively the “Policy”).

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Under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”), every person has the right to be free from harassment and discrimination. Harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated, condoned or ignored at Circus School. If a complaint of harassment or discrimination is confirmed, disciplinary measures will be applied, which may include but is not limited to the termination of employment (if by an employee), and suspension from Circus School Programs (if by Participants).

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Circus School is committed to a comprehensive strategy to address harassment and discrimination, including:

• providing training and education to make sure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities

• regularly monitoring organizational systems for barriers relating to Code grounds

• providing an effective and fair complaints procedure

• promoting appropriate standards of conduct at all times.

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Policy Objectives

The objectives of this Policy are to:

• Make sure that Participants, coaches, members, clients, associates and Family & Friends, of Circus School are aware that harassment and discrimination are unacceptable practices and are incompatible with the standards of this organization, as well as being a violation of the law; and

• Set out the types of behaviour that may be considered offensive and are prohibited by this policy.

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Applying the Policy

The right to freedom from discrimination and harassment extends to all employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, probationary, casual and contract staff, as well as volunteers, students, interns, Family & Friends and apprentices of Circus School (collectively “Members”).

It is unacceptable for Circus School Members to engage in harassment or discrimination when dealing with each other or with others whom Circus School and Circus School Members have personal and professional dealings with, such as Family & Friends, suppliers, and service providers.

This Policy applies at every level of the organization and to every aspect of Circus School’s operations, including but not limited to:

• the learning and training environment, including enrollment in Programs, auditions (if any), competitions, personal coaching, mentoring, performance opportunities and evaluations (for all participants/students);

• any workplace and employment processes and relationships including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfers, training, salaries, benefits and terminations (for coaches and directors);

• rates of pay, overtime, hours of work, holidays, shift work, discipline and performance evaluations of coaches, directors, and Studio staff;

This Policy applies to all Circus School Programs at and outside of the Studio.             

This policy prohibits discrimination or harassment based on the following grounds, and any combination of these grounds (collectively the “Code Grounds”):

• Age

• Creed (religion)

• Sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding)

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity

• Gender expression

• Family status (such as being in a parent-child relationship)

• Marital status (including married, single, widowed, divorced, separated or living in a conjugal relationship outside of marriage, whether in a same-sex or opposite-sex relationship)

• Disability (including mental, physical, developmental or learning disabilities)

• Race

• Ancestry

• Place of origin

• Ethnic origin

• Citizenship

• Colour

• Record of offences (criminal conviction for a provincial offence (such as tickets and fines etc., or for an offence for which a pardon has been received)

• Association or relationship with a person identified by one of the above grounds

• Perception that one of the above grounds applies.

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The following behaviour is prohibited:

Discrimination: 

means any form of unequal treatment based on a Human Rights Code “ground,” (the  whether imposing extra burdens or denying benefits. Discrimination may be intentional or unintentional. It may involve direct actions that are discriminatory on their face, or it may involve rules, practices or procedures that appear neutral, but disadvantage certain groups of people. Discrimination may take obvious forms, or it may happen in very subtle ways. Even if there are many factors affecting a decision or action, if discrimination based on one of the aforementioned Code Grounds is a factor, that is a violation of this Policy.

Harassment: 

means a course of vexatious comments or actions that are known, or ought reasonably to be known, to be unwelcome. It can involve words or actions that are known or should be known to be offensive, embarrassing, humiliating, demeaning or unwelcome, because of, based on or in relation to one or more of the protected Code Grounds of discrimination identified by this Policy. Harassment may also occur based on any of the aforementioned Code Grounds of discrimination.

Examples of harassment include:

• Epithets, remarks, jokes or innuendos related to a person’s race, gender identity, gender expression, sex, disability, sexual orientation, creed, age, or any other ground;

• Posting or circulating offensive pictures, graffiti or materials, whether in print form or via e-mail, on social media or other electronic means;

• Singling out a person for humiliating or demeaning “teasing” or jokes because they are a member of a Code-protected group; and

• Comments ridiculing a person because of characteristics that are related to the Code Grounds of discrimination. For example, this could include comments about a person’s dress, speech or other practices that may be related to their sex, race, gender identity or creed.

If a person does not explicitly object to harassing behaviour, or appears to be going along with it, this does not mean that the behaviour is okay. The behaviour could still be considered harassment under the Code.

Sexual and gender-based harassment: sexual harassment is a form of harassment that can include:

• Gender-related comments about a person’s physical characteristics or mannerisms;

• Paternalism based on gender which a person feels undermines his or her self respect or position of responsibility;

• Unwelcome physical contact;

• Suggestive or offensive remarks or innuendoes about members of a specific gender;

• Propositions of physical intimacy;

• Gender-related verbal abuse, threats or taunting;

• Leering or inappropriate staring;

• Bragging about sexual prowess or questions or discussions about sexual activities;

• Offensive jokes or comments of a sexual nature about an employee or client;

• Rough and vulgar humour or language related to gender;

• Display of sexually offensive pictures, graffiti or other materials including through electronic means; and

• Demands for dates or sexual favours.

Roles and Responsibilities

All Circus School Members and persons present at the Studio are expected to uphold and abide by this Policy, by refraining from any form of harassment or discrimination, and by cooperating fully in any investigation of a harassment or discrimination complaint.

Directors, managers, supervisors, and coaches, students, employees, and parents have the additional responsibility to act immediately on observations or allegations of harassment or discrimination.

Directors, managers, supervisors and coaches are responsible for creating and maintaining a harassment- and discrimination-free organization, and should address potential problems before they become serious.

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Social Media

All Circus School Members are expected to uphold a standard of equality and inclusion when making social media posts that involve Circus School, the Studio and its Members.

Circus School does not condone harassment, discrimination and bullying of any kind, including while making social media posts and comments. Such behaviour, if found to be true could result in a disciplinary action including but not limited to an immediate student suspension and possible staff termination of employment.

Circus School also requires that Members act respectfully if and when making social media posts about Circus School and its Members, and ask that Members confirm consent to share any Images of each other and about any personal and confidential information about each other, before so doing.

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To learn more about human rights protections under the Code and what you can do to help Circus School to be a diverse, equal-opportunity and inclusive company and Studio environment, Circus School Members and Participants are encouraged to visit the Human Rights Commission website and participate in their free online courses:

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/learning

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