Meeting Attendance Code of Conduct Policy

In support of our NIH R13-funded programs, we want to make you are aware of our Code of Conduct Policy that also addresses any harassment or safety issues.

The Perinatal Research Society (PRS) is committed to providing a professional, inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment that is free from harassment and discrimination of any kind. PRS seeks to provide a respectful community to allow all participants to take part in advancing perinatal research through basic research, education, collegial gathering and professional development. This policy applies to all members, employees, applicants, vendors, contingent workers, and any person professionally affiliated with PRS during association-related activities.

By attending any PRS event, you agree voluntarily to abide by our code of conduct. We value your attendance, and want to make your experience as productive and professionally stimulating as possible.

Expected Behavior

  • Please communicate openly with respect and consideration for others, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
  • Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and suppliers/vendors.
  • Turn off any ringers or otherwise disrupting devices during oral sessions.

• Request permission from speakers before recording or taking photographs during their presentation.

  • Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants. Alert any PRS Council member if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
  • Respect the rules and policies of the convention center, hotels, contracted facility, or any other venue.

Harassment and Safety

PRS is dedicated to providing a collegial, safe, hospitable, and productive environment for everyone attending our events, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, physical appearance, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, educational background, ability status, political affiliation, nationality. It is important to remember that a community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is neither healthy nor productive. Accordingly, PRS prohibits intimidating, threatening, or harassing conduct during our conferences. This policy applies to speakers, staff, volunteers, attendees and vendors. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference, at the discretion of PRS.

Harassment of PRS participants will not be tolerated in any form. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, offensive gestures or verbal comments related to ethnicity, religion, disability, physical appearance, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, educational background, ability status, political affiliation, nationality, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate or unwanted physical contact or touching, unwelcome attention, or other disruptive or harassing behavior of any kind. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If anyone subject to this policy engages in behavior which is harassing or in otherwise violation of this policy, PRS may take any action they deem appropriate, ranging from a simple warning to the offender to expulsion from a meeting without refund and/or future meetings and events, or such other action including notifying authorities. If you are the subject (or know someone who is the subject) of harassment or other violation of this policy, or have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact PRS Council members to resolve or otherwise respond to the situation.

PRS Council members will be happy to help participants contact convention center/hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, and otherwise assist those experiencing harassment, to enable them to feel safe for the duration of the conference.

PRS encourages the prompt reporting of complaints or concerns so that immediate action can be taken, if appropriate. An individual making a complaint may be asked to put the complaint in writing. At PRS events, the Secretary/Treasurer will be designated to receive any complaints for that event. If an individual witnesses or is the victim of prohibited conduct that requires immediate response by PRS, the individual should contact the Secretary/Treasurer.

Reporting an Incident

PRS encourages the prompt reporting of complaints or concerns so that immediate action can be taken if appropriate. At PRS events, the Secretary/Treasurer will receive confidential complaints. If an individual witnesses or is the victim of prohibited conduct that requires immediate response by PRS, the individual should contact the Secretary/Treasurer.

Dealing with Allegations and Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior: 

A review committee consisting of the PRS Secretary/Treasurer, current PRS council members, the PRS president, and the R13 Workshop MPIs will confidentially adjudicate any reports, based on interviews of those making the report, those accused in the report, and witnesses to the event(s). If a violation of our code of conduct occurs, PRS may take any action deemed appropriate, ranging from a simple warning to the offender to expulsion from a meeting without refund and/or future meetings and events, or other action including notifying authorities.

Filing a Complaint

Individuals who have questions, concerns or complaints related to harassment are also encouraged to contact the PRS Review Committee (PRS Secretary/Treasurer, current PRS council members, the PRS president, R13 Workshop MPIs), or the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information about how to file a complaint with HHS OCR is available at the following link: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html.

Filing a complaint with the PRS review committee is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and seeking assistance from the PRS Review Committee in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR. Lastly, individuals can notify NIH about concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment/find-help.htm.

Retaliation

Retaliation against an individual for reporting harassment or discrimination or for participating in an investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination is a serious violation and is strictly prohibited. Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly addressed.

Approved by the PRS Council 3/19/2023