This policy outlines Creative Saskatchewan’s zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behaviour, definitions, expectations and rights, and a default policy.
The Respectful Treatment Policy was approved on April 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:
October 6, 2025:
Section 4 – Abusive Behavior definition was expanded to include examples.
Section 4 – Addition of “Clients are advised that we aim to respond within three business days or less, unless otherwise communicated.”
Section 5: Addition of table outlining how situations will be addressed.
Section 6: Updated table of default sanctions.
Section 7: Addition of “or an incident report has been made in bad faith”
Respectful Treatment of Creative Saskatchewan Staff and Board by Clients Policy
1. Purpose
This policy establishes expectations regarding respectful behavior by clients toward staff and board members. It ensures that all interactions are conducted with consideration, dignity, and professionalism. Additionally, this policy outlines a zero-tolerance approach to abusive behavior and highlights staff and board member rights.
2. Policy Statement
Clients are expected to treat staff and board members with respect and courtesy. Creative Saskatchewan is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for its employees and board members. Abusive behavior or aggression will not be tolerated.
3. Guiding Principles
The following principles guide our approach to respectful client-staff/board member interactions:
Dignity: Every staff and board member deserves to be treated with dignity and consideration.
Professionalism: Clients should engage with staff and board members in a professional and respectful manner.
Safety: A safe and supportive workplace both physically and psychologically benefits everyone.
4. Definitions
For the purposes of this policy:
Abusive Behavior: This encompasses a range of unwelcome and harmful actions that can negatively impact employees’ well-being and create a toxic work environment. This includes physical and verbal aggression, as well as behaviors that isolate, belittle, or demean an individual. Examples include:
Name calling or insulting staff intelligence.
Baseless accusations regarding personal staff intentions.
“Baseless accusations” refers to situations where someone makes serious claims or allegations against another person without any evidence, justification, or factual basis. These accusations can be harmful, damaging to a person’s reputation, and emotionally distressing—especially when they are repeated or used manipulatively.
Passive aggressive remarks.
Sarcasm.
Eyerolling.
Raised voices.
Incident: Any unwanted behavior that negatively impacts staff/board well-being.
Harassment: Two or more incidents in which a client engages in aubsive behaviour.
Clients are advised that we aim to respond within three business days or less, unless otherwise communicated.
5. Expectations and Procedures
To promote respectful client behavior:
Communication and Education:
Clients will be informed of this policy upon applying for funding from Creative Saskatchewan via our Grant Management System (GMS).
This policy will be available on the Creative Saskatchewan website, under the Resources tab.
Staff will educate clients on respectful behavior expectations if they feel an interaction requires it.
Zero Tolerance Approach:
Creative Saskatchewan maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward abusive behavior by clients.
Any incidents of abusive treatment towards staff will be reported to management and addressed promptly (see below table).
Staff and Board Members Rights and Support:
Staff and board members have the right to work without fear of abuse.
Staff and board members have the right to stop communication if they are experiencing abuse.
Reporting mechanisms will be in place to address incidents.
Support and counseling services will be available to affected staff.
To address incidents:
Step
Action
1 - Warning
The client will be advised that their conduct is becoming inappropriate, and if they cannot continue respectfully, the meeting will be ended. The client will receive instruction from the agency regarding next steps.
2 - Meeting ended and incident report prepared
If the client continues to behave inappropriately, the meeting will be ended. An incident report will be prepared. Incident reports will capture the staff or board members’ experience and will be used to inform instruction to the client on next steps.
3 - Client communication
The client will receive a notice of the incident, and instructions for next steps. This will include a no-contact cooling off period and a required written acknowledgement of the policy. The client will be notified that multiple incident reports will result in Default Policy sanctions (see below table).
6. Client Responsibilities
Clients are expected to:
Treat staff and board members with courtesy, patience, and respect.
Refrain from using offensive language or engaging in threatening, belittling, or demeaning behavior.
Refrain from harassing phone calls, emails, or other methods of communication.
Cooperate with staff requests and follow established procedures.
Default sanctions for non-compliance:
Infraction
Sanction
1st Offense
Five business day no contact order (individual) and no application order (individual and company). Upon receipt of a written acknowledgement of the policy and willingness to adhere to it, the client may proceed with communications respectfully.
2nd Offense
30 business day no contact order (individual) and no application order (individual and company). Upon receipt of a written acknowledgement of the policy and willingness to adhere to it, the client may proceed with communications respectfully.
3rd Offense
Permanent no contact order or application (individual) and 60 day no application order (company). Upon receipt of a written acknowledgement of the policy and willingness to adhere to it, a different company representative may proceed with communications respectfully. Creative Saskatchewan values long-term relationships with its clients and understands that people are human. If two fiscal years have passed without incident, Creative Saskatchewan may elect to forgive past offences.
7. Mutual Respect
Respect is a two-way street. Staff and board members are equally expected to treat clients with the same level of respect. This includes active listening, empathy, and professional conduct.
If a client feels they have been disrespected or an incident report has been made in bad faith, they are welcome to make a formal complaint in writing to a Director, the CEO, or to the Government of Saskatchewan Ombudsman here.
8. Implementation
This policy applies to all Creative Saskatchewan staff, board members, and clients.
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