Code of Conduct

Scala Days is governed by the Scala Code of Conduct and the EPFL Code of Conduct. We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants.

At the conference venues, participants are free to use bathrooms based on their own self-declared gender identity. A non-binary person is allowed to use any bathrooms.

What to Report

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Any behavior that undermines safety, dignity or inclusion may be addressed under the Code of Conduct.

  • Violence or threats of violence (verbal or physical)
  • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory language
  • Personal insults, especially related to identity (e.g. gender, orientation, race, religion, disability)
  • Inappropriate or non-consensual physical contact
  • Unwanted sexual attention, jokes, or comments
  • Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material
  • Doxing (sharing personal or identifying information without consent)
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Repeated disruption of talks or group interactions
  • Encouraging or defending any of the above behaviors

If you experience or witness any of the above, we encourage you to report it.

How to Report

Here are the ways to report an incident:

Code of Conduct Process

  1. What happened? A behavior that violates the Code of Conduct occurs.
  2. Who can report? Victim, witness, volunteer, or organizer.
  3. How to report? Fill out a form. Assistance available on site if needed.
  4. What information is collected?
    • Type of behavior
    • Description of the incident
    • People involved (optional)
    • Safety and contact preferences
  5. Who handles the report? An expert group (lawyer, mediator, psychologist).
  6. Evaluation and decision: The expert group reviews the report to assess seriousness, repetition, impact, and safety concerns. They decide on the appropriate course of action.
  7. Possible outcomes:
    • ✅ Support & resources (e.g. listening, referral to a professional)
    • ⚠️ Verbal or written warning to the person responsible
    • 🚫 Exclusion from the event or community space
    • 📝 Referral to legal authorities if applicable

    All decisions are made with confidentiality, proportionality, and the safety of the community and the individual in mind.

The Team

Your reports will be handled by the following external team of professionals in counselling and mediation. They are here for your support, so please feel free to also reach out to them directly via phone or email they provided.

Sandrine Chiavazza

Sandrine Chiavazza

Lawyer, Certified Mediator (FSM), Negociator & Professional Coach

With a background in law, mediation, and organizational consulting, I support companies in fostering healthy, respectful and inclusive work environments.

As an external neutral party, I act with full confidentiality and independence. I assist teams and individuals facing tensions, interpersonal conflicts, or ethical and relational concerns at work.

One of my missions : to prevent escalation, restore clarity and help organizations fulfil their duty to protect the integrity and well-being of their employees.

Patricia Bally

Patricia Bally

Legal Counsel, Certified Mediator (FSM) & Workplace Health Specialist

With a background in law, mediation, and psychosocial risk prevention, I support companies in creating respectful, healthy, and legally compliant work environments.

As an external trusted person, I act with full confidentiality, neutrality, and independence. I offer a safe and confidential space for employees facing harassment, interpersonal conflicts, or psychological distress.

My mission: to prevent tensions, help defuse sensitive situations, and assist companies in fulfilling their duty to protect employees’ personal integrity at work.

Christophe Imhoos

Christophe Imhoos

Attorney at Law, Independant Arbitrator, Certified Mediator, Coach

With a background in law and mediation, including degrees from the University of Geneva, New York University, and a European Master’s in mediation, I specialize in amicable conflict resolution and workplace mediation.

As an external neutral party, I serve as mediator, conciliator and collaborative lawyer, working with full impartiality, confidentiality and independence. I provide trusted person services for numerous private and public organizations and NGOs, conduct harassment investigations and workplace climate assessments, and serve as ombudsperson for a large international Swiss Foundation and as workplace mediator at the Council of Europe.

My mission: to provide expert guidance in preventing, managing and resolving disputes, helping organisations maintain healthy and safe work environments and fulfil their obligations to employee well-being and integrity.