Code of Conduct
2025
Big Picture Expectations and Responsibilities
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Support your fellow lab-mates. Help them out if they need help (even if you aren't on the project). Science is collaborative, not competitive. Help others and accept help when you need it.
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Respect your fellow lab-mates. Respect their strengths and weaknesses. Respect their culture, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation.
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If you're struggling, tell someone. Your health and happiness come first. The lab looks out for the well-being of all its members. We are here to help. It is okay to go through hard patches (we all do).
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If there is an tension or hostility in the lab, something must be done about it immediately. We can't thrive in an environment we aren't comfortable in, and disrespect or rudeness should not be tolerated in the lab. If you don't feel comfortable confronting the person in question, tell Dr. Fruehwald.
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If you're sick, stay home and take care of yourself. You need it, and because others don't need to get sick. If you're sick, reschedule your meetings, instrument bookings, and work for the day (or next couple of days) as soon as you can.
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You aren't expected to come into lab on weekends and holidays, and you aren't expected to stay late at night. You are expected to get your work done (whatever time of day you like to do it).
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Read the code of conduct in full and agree to abide by it. If you would like to add anything to the code of conduct, and changes or additions can be brought up and discussed. This is an active document and will change based on the needs of the lab group.
Essential Polices
The lab is committed to ensuring a safe, friendly, and accepting environment for everybody. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion. We will not tolerate intimidation, stalking, following, unwanted photography or video recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Finally, it should go without saying that lewd language and behaviour have no place in the lab, including lab outings.
If you notice someone being harassed, or are harassed yourself, tell Dr. Fruehwald immediately.
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Be Professional
All lab members deserve equal respect and recognition. Everyone has valuable insights to contribute. Lab members are expected to maintain professional conduct during work hours. This includes:​​
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Not gossiping about the personal lives of lab members.
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Cleaning up your workspace and communal spaces when you are finished in the lab.
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Treating instrumentation and lab equipment with respect.
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Accept responsibility for your mistakes.
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Learning is the Priority
Help others in the lab. Share your experiences and troubleshooting resources/knowledge that may be helpful to others. Collaboration within the lab group and other members of the scientific community is encouraged as it enriches everyone's experiences. Stay open to suggestions.
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Use Welcoming and Inclusive Language
Exclusionary comments, threats, or violent language is not acceptable. When speaking to or about others, be aware of their preferred pronouns and do not deliberately misgender others. Consider how the ways the words you choose may impact others. Offensive behaviour or comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, race, religion, or a person's lifestyle choices and practices are not welcome in the lab.
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Harassment is not Tolerated
This includes unwanted physical, sexual, or repeated social contact. Consent is not implied, and if you are unsure if the behaviour towards someone is welcome, ask them. Respect the privacy and safety of others. As permission before photographing or videoing others. Posting or threatening to post personally identifying information of others without their consent is a form of harassment.
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Ensure Every Lab Member has the Opportunity to Participate both within the Lab and in Social Work Settings
Keep comments in group meeting concise as to allow for engagement from all participants in the meeting. Do not interrupt other based on disagreement, hold such comments until they have finished speaking. Be considerate of dietary restrictions, familial obligations, religious observances.
Takeaway:
If you see something inappropriate happening, a gentle reminder about the code of conduct is a productive response. If at any time you believe that a situation requires further intervention, please approach Dr. Fruehwald.