Last updated: 2025-10-16

🎓 Instructor Code of Conduct

At The Improv Chippy, our instructors are not just teachers — they are role models, facilitators, and ambassadors of our values: courage, care, respect, betterment and fun.

This Code of Conduct sets out the expectations, responsibilities, and standards that all instructors agree to uphold when teaching, coaching, or representing The Improv Chippy in any capacity.

By teaching with The Improv Chippy, you agree to abide by this Code and all other relevant policies, including our Participant Policy, Audience Code of Conduct, and Recording Policy.

• Treat all students, staff, and performers with respect, patience, and courtesy.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times — both inside and outside of the classroom or performance environment.
• Avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as harassment, discrimination, or abuse of authority.
• Encourage a supportive, inclusive, and safe learning atmosphere where everyone feels valued.

• Actively foster an environment that welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
• Avoid using material or exercises that rely on stereotypes, prejudice, or potentially harmful subject matter.
• Be sensitive to individual needs, including mental health, physical accessibility, and sensory sensitivities.
• Where possible, adapt teaching methods or activities to ensure all participants can take part comfortably.

• Prioritise the physical and emotional safety of students at all times.
• Do not pressure participants into scenes, exercises, or topics that make them uncomfortable.
• Intervene promptly if a participant experiences distress, conflict, or inappropriate behaviour.
• Comply with all necessary health and safety policies, such as taking attendance and informing participants of emergency exits and evacuation points, and logging any physcial accidents that require medical intervention.
• If a participant leaves the class due to overwhelm, you may check on them but are under no obligation to do so. Your main responsibility lies with keeping the group operational, not tending to the individual.
• Report any incidents or concerns immediately to The Improv Chippy management team.

• Maintain appropriate communication — do not message students privately about non-class-related matters unless necessary and appropriate.
• Avoid favouritism, bias, or conduct that may compromise fairness or the perception of fairness.
• We strictly prohibit the formation of relationships between students and instructors while the student is a participant in a course ran by an instructor. If we have reasonable grounds to believe this has occurred, we may take disciplinary action, including banning you from instructing and participating in any future Improv Chippy events.
• If the course has finished, dating between students and instructors is allowed.
• Any pre-existing relationships between students and instructors must be disclosed to The Improv Chippy before any course starts.
• If we have reasonable grounds to believe that any authority figure has engaged in or attempted to engage in any 'quid pro quo' behaviour, including sexual favours, said person will be subject to a permanent ban from The Improv Chippy. Details may be passed on to legal authorities and we may also inform other improv or comedy institutions in order to help them protect their customers.

• Please arrive at class at least ten minutes before it's scheduled start time.
• Begin and end sessions on time and be fully prepared for each class.
• Ensure content is age-appropriate and aligned with course objectives.
• Use language that is respectful, professional, and inclusive.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs before and during workshops.
• Do not use your phone in class - it looks unprofessional. If you want to write notes, please do so on a notebook, clipboard, flashcards, or a tablet of sufficient size that it cannot be mistaken for a phone.
• Refrain from eating during class except for during scheduled breaks.
• Deviation from supplied lesson plans is allowed so long as overall course and lesson aims are achieved.
• If you deviate from a supplied lesson plan, please report back what and why so we can review and improve our currciulum.
• If we receive reports or suspect that you are consistently deviating from supplied lesson plans without good reason and we believe that this is compromising our educational standards, your may be subject to disciplinary action.

• As an instructor, you represent The Improv Chippy both inside and outside the classroom.
• Conduct yourself in a manner that reflects positively on the company and its values.
• Do not make public statements on behalf of The Improv Chippy without prior authorisation.
• Any use of The Improv Chippy name, logo, or branding must comply with our Press & Brand Guidelines.

• Respect the confidentiality of all participants. Do not share personal details or classroom discussions outside of the learning environment unless you have a legal obligation to do so.
• Follow data protection standards as set out in our Privacy Policy.
• Do not record or distribute class footage or participant performances without explicit consent.

• Aim to give notes sensitive and tactfully.
• Aim to give challenges rather than criticisms. For example, "your challenge for the next scene is to add five details" over "you need to stop wimping".
• Be open to feedback from students, peers, and The Improv Chippy team.
• Maintain a spirit of collaboration with other instructors and staff.
• Raise any issues, conflicts, or concerns promptly and constructively.

• Please present yourself in a clean and tidy manner.
• Instructors may be asked to wear company-branded apparel during teaching or official events.
• If company-branded apparel is not requested, please dress in smart casual clothing.
• We understand that clothing is personal — especially for those with sensory sensitivities — and will discuss accommodations or exemptions where needed.

• Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including:
  • Verbal or written warnings
  • Suspension or termination of teaching engagements
  • Removal from The Improv Chippy's roster of approved instructors
  • Removal from Improv Chippy house performance teams.
• Serious breaches (e.g. harassment, discrimination, or safety violations) may result in immediate dismissal and referral to appropriate authorities.

By following this Code, you help maintain a safe, inspiring, and professional community for everyone involved in The Improv Chippy.