Code of Conduct Termed and Permanent Suspension Guidelines

SLA Termed Suspension

As a part of their enforcement options, the SLA COCP can recommend placing a member in Termed Suspension, where the member is removed from all SLA engagements for a set period of time.

The goal of a Termed Suspension is to:

1. limit a member’s participation in virtual and in-person SLA spaces for a set time to create a safe space for the community, and
2. give time and opportunity for the individual to review their response to the incident and demonstrate immediate, ongoing, and demonstrable changes as evaluated by the COCP sub-panel before possible reinstatement.

In most cases, a Termed Suspension will only be enacted after an incident has been reviewed by the COCP sub-panel and a recommendation for resolution has been provided to the Board. However, in severe situations, in particular where there is active harassment as defined by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the COCP may recommend enacting an immediate short-term Termed Suspension while an incident is under review.

If there is a decision for a Termed Suspension, this checklist is followed by the appropriate personnel to enact the Termed Suspension. In accordance with CoC confidentiality guidelines, only essential personnel will be involved in implementation of these actions.

Termed Suspension Options

Online Communication and Communities

Revoke access from the following communication channels and communities:

• Connect
• SLA Email lists
• Other SLA platforms
• Additionally, the member will not be allowed to attend SLA or community discussions or events, whether virtual or in-person.

Member Organization and Local Activities

The suspended member shall not be involved in officially branded SLA events or activities for the duration of the suspension. We expect the suspended member to assert that they will be able to carry out this suspension accordingly and to notify the SLA President or Executive Director if this suspension will interfere with their expected employment duties.

Committees, Task Forces, Working Groups, and Other Interactions

Involvement in all committees, communities, task forces, and working groups will be suspended.

Other Interactions

The suspended members' ability to sign in to YM to manage their own profile or other tasks will be revoked for the duration of their suspension.

Permanent Suspension or Expulsion

A member may be permanently suspended or expelled from the Association for particularly egregious violations of the CoC. A recommendation from the COCP for permanent suspension or expulsion of a member shall be sent to the SLA President and/or the Executive Director. The SLA President and/or the Executive Director may choose to include either the Executive Committee or the full Board of Directors in the final decision.