Freelancer Code of Conduct

This document applies to all freelancers, contractors, consultants, and volunteers working with Talawa Theatre Company.

1. Purpose

Talawa Theatre Company is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment for all artists, staff, participants, and audiences.

This Code of Conduct sets out the professional standards and behaviours expected of freelancers working with the company.

2. Professional Behaviour

Freelancers are expected to:

  • Always conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner
  • Treat colleagues, collaborators, participants, and audiences with dignity and respect
  • Work collaboratively and contribute positively to rehearsal rooms and production environments
  • Respect the roles and responsibilities of other team members
  • Follow reasonable instructions from producers, directors, stage management, and production staff

3. Respectful Working Environment

Talawa Theatre Company does not tolerate:

  • Bullying or intimidation
  • Harassment
  • Discrimination
  • Abusive or threatening behaviour

Freelancers must help maintain an environment where everyone feels safe to contribute creatively. This includes respecting differences in culture, identity, experience, and artistic perspective.

4. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Talawa Theatre Company values diversity and is committed to inclusive working practices. Freelancers must:

  • Behave in ways that support inclusion
  • Avoid discriminatory language or behaviour
  • Respect colleagues’ identities and lived experiences

All behaviour must comply with the principles of the Equality Act 2010.

5. Safeguarding Responsibilities

Where freelancers work with children, young people, community participants, or vulnerable adults, they must follow Talawa Theatre Company’s safeguarding policies. Freelancers must:

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Avoid situations that could compromise safeguarding
  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the appropriate staff member

6. Communication and Collaboration

Freelancers are expected to:

  • Communicate clearly and respectfully
  • Respond constructively to feedback
  • Raise concerns appropriately with producers, directors, or managers
  • Contribute to a supportive and productive rehearsal or working environment

7. Health and Safety

Freelancers must:

  • Follow all relevant health and safety procedures
  • Respect venue rules and production safety requirements
  • Raise any safety concerns with stage management or production staff

8. Confidentiality

Freelancers may have access to confidential information relating to productions, creative work, staff or artists, and participants. This information must not be shared externally without permission.

9. Social Media and Public Representation

Freelancers should be mindful that their public conduct may reflect on Talawa Theatre Company when working with the organisation. Please refer to the Social Media Policy. Freelancers should:

  • Communicate respectfully online
  • Avoid sharing confidential production information without permission
  • Avoid posting content that could harm colleagues or the organisation

10. Reporting Concerns

Freelancers are encouraged to raise concerns if they experience or witness behaviour that conflicts with this Code of Conduct. Concerns can be raised with:

  • The Producer
  • The Operations Manager
  • The designated safeguarding lead (where relevant)

All concerns will be treated seriously and handled appropriately.

11. Breaches of the Code

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in:

  • A discussion with the freelancer
  • Formal warnings
  • Termination of the freelance engagement
  • Exclusion from future work with the company

12. Agreement

Please confirm that you have read and understood this Code of Conduct before beginning work with Talawa Theatre Company.