Code of Conduct

Our Core Values: Open, Authentic, and Visionary – with Respect, Inclusion, and Integrity at the Core 

• Respect and Inclusion: Treat all participants with kindness and professionalism, ensuring a discrimination-free environment. 

• Commitment to a Safe and Respectful Environment: We are committed to maintaining a respectful environment. Any form of discrimination, intimidation, or inappropriate behavior is taken seriously and will be addressed accordingly. 

• Consent Matters: Obtain explicit permission for interactions, including discussions, photography, and physical contact. 

• Responsible Use of Technology: Avoid cyber harassment, doxxing, or misuse of event platforms. 

• Reporting & Support: You can report incidents directly to Shopware staff on-site or via shopware.com under Report Misconduct (Shopware Whistleblower Channel to report any concerns confidentially and securely). 

 1. Welcome to a Safe, Inclusive, and Accessible Space  Shopware events foster learning, collaboration, and meaningful conversations. We invite you to connect, share insights, and embrace diverse perspectives with mutual respect. At Shopware, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful atmosphere across all our events, both internal and external. This Code of Conduct applies to all attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff at any official Shopware event, including related social gatherings, such as the Shopware Community Day, Global Kickoff, Shopware Open Huizendag and more.  We strive to provide a safe, discrimination-free, and accessible space where every participant feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. We strive to make our events accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. While we make every effort to ensure accessibility, some limitations may exist depending on the venue. Please contact us in advance to discuss specific needs so we can work towards a suitable solution. If you need assistance during the event, please contact a Shopware staff member on-site. Maintaining this positive environment is a shared commitment among all attendees.   

2. Make the Most of Your Experience: Be a Positive Force  To ensure a positive experience for all, we encourage everyone to: 

• Be inclusive, welcoming, and open-minded. 

• Offer assistance if someone seems uncomfortable or in need of help. 

• Foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and constructive discussion. 

• Follow consent principles before engaging in discussions on sensitive topics. 

• Proactively create an environment where diversity and individuality are embraced. 

3. Creating a Safe and Fair Environment for Everyone  Examples of unacceptable behavior: 

• Making jokes about someone's cultural background, or personal characteristics. 

• Following someone around the venue despite their discomfort. 

• Dismissing or undermining someone's expertise or contributions based on gender, race, or other identity factors. 

 Shopware does not tolerate discrimination in any form, including but not limited to: 

• Homophobia, biphobia, interphobia, transphobia, acephobia. 

• Sexism, racism, ableism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and ageism. 

• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, or sustained disruption of talks or activities. 

• Inappropriate physical contact or unwelcome sexual attention. 

• The use of hate speech, defamation, or the spread of misinformation related to Shopware or any individual. The term “misinformation” in this paragraph relates to the spread of knowingly false statements intended to deceive others or to harm Shopware’s reputation, or the dissemination of deliberately misleading information that may cause harm to individuals. 

If an incident is reported, we will assess the situation fairly. Our approach prioritizes education and constructive correction, but repeated or severe violations may result in serious consequences, including expulsion from the event without refund.  

4. Standing Together: Your Role in a Supportive and Accessible Community 

• If you witness someone in need of assistance, offer help respectfully. Be mindful of accessibility needs and ensure that spaces and discussions are inclusive for all participants. 

• Individuals experiencing or observing inappropriate behavior should not feel obligated to justify their concerns. 

• Marginalized groups are not responsible for educating others about discrimination. Reliable organizations can provide resources and further information. 

• Everyone has the right to use the restroom that aligns with their identity. Attendees are expected to respect this. In cases where local laws impose specific requirements or restrictions, Shopware will take reasonable steps to ensure compliance while upholding a respectful and inclusive environment. 

• Participants must refrain from sharing confidential or proprietary information of Shopware or any other organization without authorization. 

• Misuse of event-related resources, including fraud, or spamming, will not be tolerated. 

 5. Fairness, Safety, and Legal Considerations  Shopware reserves the right to take appropriate action based on the severity of the violation, in line with applicable laws and regulations. Any decisions will be made fairly and transparently to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws, data protection laws, and corporate policies. Actions taken by Shopware will be proportionate to the severity of the violation and aligned with Shopware’s internal policies and may include: 

• A verbal or written warning to cease the behavior. 

• Immediate expulsion from the event without refund. 

• Banning the participant from future Shopware events. 

• Involving venue security or local law enforcement if necessary. 

 Sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers are also encouraged to align with the principles outlined in this policy. We appreciate their cooperation in maintaining a respectful and inclusive event environment.   

6. Speak Up: How to Report Concerns and Get Support  If you experience or witness unacceptable behavior, please report it through the Shopware Whistleblower Channel. Shopware ensures that everyone connected to Shopware – from (former) employees to customers, suppliers, and partners – has a safe and confidential way to report concerns and disclose potential misconduct.  Through this channel, you can submit reports anonymously or with your contact details about unethical, illegal, or policy-violating actions. All inquiries are treated confidentially, securely, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR. Any personal data collected during the reporting process will be processed only for the purpose of investigating and resolving the complaint.  Additionally, you can report incidents directly to Shopware staff on-site.   To report an issue, check the status of a report, or provide additional information, please visit shopware.com under Report Misconduct. We take all reports seriously and commit to investigating concerns with integrity and discretion. Our goal is not only to address individual incidents but to foster an ongoing culture of accountability, learning, and proactive improvement to enhance the safety and inclusivity of our events.  Shopware is committed to comprehensive whistleblower protection. You can find our complete Whistleblower Policy here: https://whistleblowersoftware.com/secure/shopware

7. Together We Create a Positive Experience  By attending a Shopware event, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a positive and inclusive event experience for everyone.