AOTA event code of conduct
AOTA is committed to providing an environment that encourages the free expression and exchange of ideas and promotes equal opportunities and respectful treatment for all participants.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is committed to providing an environment that encourages the free expression and exchange of ideas and promotes equal opportunities and respectful treatment for all participants. All participants in AOTA events are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow event rules, and alert AOTA facilitators and/or staff of any inappropriate behavior.
AOTA prohibits and will not tolerate any form of incivility, harassment, bullying, or microaggressions at its events, whether in person, online, or hybrid format. AOTA will not tolerate inappropriate language or disparaging remarks about or microaggressions toward any individual(s), group(s), or organization(s) or situations where participants attempt to inappropriately direct conversations to other topics.
Harassment is defined by AOTA as unwanted and unwelcome attention or other conduct that creates an environment where a reasonable person would feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, intimidated, excluded, or abused. Harassment based on gender, race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, and any other personal characteristic is strictly prohibited.[1]
Bullying is the persistent exposure to interpersonal aggression and mistreatment from colleagues, superiors, or subordinates. [2]
Microaggressions are verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes [3].
Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in an individual being asked to leave the event at which the incident occurred, without warning or refund; being barred from attending AOTA events in the future; and, if relevant, being barred from or revocation of membership in the Association. Event security and/or local police may be contacted if the Code of Conduct violator poses an imminent threat to others or is disrupting the event. This also applies to online or hybrid events.
This policy applies to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, contractors, volunteers, and guests at AOTA-sponsored events. If an individual experiences or witnesses a violation of the Event Code of Conduct, they should contact AOTA staff as soon as possible. Individuals may also report complaints to Frank Gainer, Vice President, Meetings and Events at 202-210-5461 (cell) or fgainer@aota.org. All complaints will be responded to promptly, treated seriously and, to the extent possible, addressed confidentially. Complaints that require broader investigation will be handled by the AOTA Ethics Committee. AOTA expressly forbids any retaliation against individuals for reporting harassment. Similar actions may also be taken against any individual who knowingly provides false information regarding a harassment situation.
[1] These are the protected characteristics in the District of Columbia where AOTA is incorporated.
[2] Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., & Notelaers, G. (2009). Measuring exposure to bullying and harassment at work: Validity, factor structure and psychometric properties of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. Work & Stress, 23(1), 24–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370902815673
[3] Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. John Wiley & Sons.