Code of Conduct

Purpose

This code of conduct formalises Giant Leap’s existing, long term commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for our network of founders and investors.

Our commitment is governed by the laws of Victoria, New South Wales and Australia, designed to protect all workers from inequitable or harmful treatment, but extends beyond that to ensure the highest ethical standards across all of our conduct and how we treat each other.

We have set out this code to be clear about the expected conduct of each member of the Giant Leap team to ensure we are fostering a safe and inclusive space for all.

Giant Leap’s values

  • Act with radical candour – Care personally and challenge directly. We value self-awareness and acknowledge we don’t know all the answers. We trust others to highlight opportunities and blind spots that we can’t see.
  • Think with an abundance mindset – We seek to be generous and without expectation or ego when giving to others. We believe that a rising tide will lift all boats. We value collaboration and seek to grow the pie.
  • Lead by example – We exist to demonstrate the power of startups to solve the world’s problems to guide us to a cleaner, healthier, happier future. We act with courage, integrity and kindness to challenge the status quo.
  • Play the long game – We are strategic in our decision-making and think about the consequences of our actions and inactions. We respect the past, present and future.
  • Be human – We value human connection and seek joy in life. We understand the importance of relationships and acknowledge we are only one piece of the puzzle. Without others, there is no self.

Scope

We expect all members of the Giant Leap team, specifically all directors, permanent and temporary employees, and contractors, to abide by this code of conduct. The code applies to all settings associated with Giant Leap, both virtually and at in person events and conferences.

Unacceptable behaviour

We expect all Giant Leap team members to treat all people they interact with respectfully. We believe discrimination, bullying, violence or harassment and victimisation is unacceptable behaviour.

Discrimination

Discrimination is treating, or proposing to treat, someone unfavourably because of a personal characteristic protected by the law, such as sex, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

Bullying

Bullying is the repeated and intentional mistreatment of a person or group by an individual or group. It can be physical, verbal or psychological, and is often used to assert power over the victim.

Violence

Violence refers to the use of physical force or aggression to cause harm or damage to a person, property or animal. It can take many forms, including physical assault, threats, intimidation, and destruction of property.

Harassment

Harassment is unwanted or unwelcome behaviour that is offensive, intimidating or hostile, and that interferes with a person's ability to work or study. It can take many forms, such as verbal abuse, unwanted physical contact, sexual advances, or persistent and unwanted attention.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a specific and serious form of harassment. It is defined as unwelcome sexual behaviour that causes a person to feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, where a reasonable person could have anticipated that reaction in the circumstances. Sexual harassment can be physical, spoken or written.

Victimisation

Victimisation is subjecting or threatening to subject someone to a detriment because they have asserted their rights under equal opportunity law, made a complaint, helped someone else make a complaint, or refused to do something because it would be discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation. Victimisation is against the law.

Complaint handling procedure

Giant Leap strongly encourages anyone to report any acts or suspected acts of discrimination, bullying, violence, or harassment. We expect people in positions of power to be especially conscientious in reporting any violations they encounter (with the consent of the person involved if applicable) as they are less vulnerable to retaliation or pressure than people with less power.

Giant Leap will treat all reports of discrimination, bullying, violence, victimisation or harassment seriously, and Giant Leap will investigate thoroughly, promptly and confidentially (where appropriate).

One may report violations in any of the following ways:

We aim to acknowledge reports within 48 hours, and to complete handling a report as soon as possible given the circumstances of the report. Actions we may take in response to a report include:

  • Nothing
  • Counselling (either or both parties)
  • Verbal warning
  • Temporary ban from specific spaces or forums
  • A permanent ban from particular areas or forums
  • Removal or adjustment of responsibilities
  • Termination of employment
  • Report to legal authorities

If you would like to recommend a particular action or response, please include your recommendation as part of the violation report.

If possible and appropriate, we will make a statement about the report and any actions we took available to everyone aware of the original incident. We will strive to protect reporters or targets from retaliation whenever possible.

Acknowledgement

In writing this Code of Conduct we have consulted a number of other venture funds’ Codes including peer organisations such as Rampersand, Blackbird and Square Peg, along with other organisations including the University of Melbourne.

In the interest of continuous improvement and learning, please reach out to enquiries@giantleap.com.au with any feedback.

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