CODE OF CONDUCT



GildeLab is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and sustainable environment where women can learn, grow, and take steps towards employment, entrepreneurship, or further education.

We work with participants, volunteers, employees, clients, donors, and partners in line with our core values of safety, equality, craftsmanship, sustainability, and integrity.

We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse of power, fraud, conflicts of interest, unsafe behaviour, or breaches of confidentiality.

Anyone with a question, concern, complaint, or report can speak to a supervisor, the confidential adviser (vertrouwenspersoon), or the Board. All reports are handled carefully and confidentially. No one will be disadvantaged for raising a concern in good faith.

This page provides an accessible summary of our Code of Conduct. It explains the standards we expect from everyone involved with GildeLab and how concerns, reports, and violations are addressed.


Welcome to GildeLab
GildeLab is a social, creative, and sustainable workshop based in Amsterdam-West.

We provide women with a safe place to learn new skills, gain confidence, develop professional experience, and take steps towards employment, entrepreneurship, or further education. At the same time, we support small fashion and lifestyle brands through local, ethical, and sustainable production.

Creating beautiful products starts with creating a respectful environment. How we treat one another is just as important as the work we create together.


Who This Applies To
This Code of Conduct applies to everyone involved with GildeLab, including:

  • Participants
  • Volunteers
  • Employees and trainers
  • Board members
  • Interns
  • Clients and brands
  • Suppliers and partners
  • Donors and supporters
  • Visitors and guests

Everyone who works with, supports, or visits GildeLab is expected to respect these principles.


Our Values

  • Safety - Everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected, and safe. A secure learning and working environment is the foundation of everything we do.

  • Equality - We treat people with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, language, religion, age, family situation, education, disability, income, appearance, or life choices.

  • Growth - Learning involves practice, mistakes, and improvement. We encourage personal development, confidence, and independence.

  • Craftsmanship - We work carefully, honestly, and professionally. We respect quality, agreements, materials, and the work of others.

  • Sustainability - We use materials, time, energy, and resources responsibly and avoid unnecessary waste.

  • Integrity - We are open and honest about responsibilities, decisions, finances, challenges, and boundaries.


Creating a Safe Learning and Working Environment
GildeLab’s learning and work programme is designed specifically for women. This reflects our social mission and our commitment to providing a supportive and safe learning environment.

Within our community we:
  • Communicate respectfully and clearly.
  • Use language that is easy to understand.
  • Respect personal boundaries and differences.
  • Support people without putting them under pressure.
  • Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn.
  • Provide fair and transparent guidance.
  • Take individual circumstances into account.
  • Ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and develop.

What We Expect From Everyone
We ask everyone at GildeLab to:

  • Keep agreements and communicate when something changes.
  • Treat others respectfully, even during stressful situations.
  • Communicate honestly and constructively.
  • Ask permission before taking or sharing photos or videos of others.
  • Use tools, machines, and materials safely.
  • Help keep the workshop clean, organised, and welcoming.
  • Respect property belonging to GildeLab and others.
  • Report unsafe situations, accidents, damage, or concerns.
  • Ask for help when unsure about something.

Behaviour We Do Not Accept

To protect our community, certain behaviour is not acceptable.

  • Discrimination or Exclusion - Treating people unfairly or excluding them because of their background, identity, beliefs, appearance, or personal circumstances.

  • Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation - Threatening, humiliating, insulting, isolating, or repeatedly targeting others.

  • Sexual Misconduct - Unwanted comments, messages, gestures, invitations, images, or physical contact of a sexual nature.

  • Abuse of Power - Using a position of authority, influence, or dependency for personal advantage.

  • Fraud or Misuse of Resources - Theft, dishonesty, misuse of funds, materials, equipment, information, or GildeLab’s name.

  • Conflicts of Interest - Allowing personal, family, or business interests to influence decisions without disclosure.

  • Breaches of Confidentiality - Sharing personal information, participant stories, client information, designs, or internal documents without permission.

  • Unsafe Working Practices - Ignoring safety instructions, creating unnecessary risks, or working under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Harmful Public Communication - Publishing content that damages individuals or GildeLab without consent or justification.


Additional Responsibilities for Leaders and Supervisors

Board members, managers, trainers, and supervisors have a special responsibility to lead by example.
They are expected to:
  • Act in the best interests of GildeLab and its mission.
  • Maintain professional boundaries.
  • Prevent dependency or favouritism.
  • Make fair and transparent decisions.
  • Address inappropriate behaviour when it occurs.
  • Handle information and resources responsibly.
  • Report and document serious concerns appropriately.


Respecting Privacy and Confidentiality
We take privacy seriously.

  • Personal information is handled carefully and only when necessary.
  • Photos and videos are only shared with appropriate permission.
  • Individuals may withdraw consent for image use.
  • Personal stories are never shared publicly without agreement.
  • Client information, designs, pricing, and project details remain confidential.
  • We protect both digital and physical information from unauthorised access.


Working Sustainably
Sustainability is central to our mission.
We aim to:
  • Use materials responsibly.
  • Reduce waste wherever possible.
  • Reuse materials when appropriate.
  • Make fair agreements about quality, pricing, and delivery.
  • Be honest about sustainability claims.
  • Refuse projects that conflict with our values or place unreasonable pressure on participants.


Social Media and Public Communication
When communicating about GildeLab:
  • Be respectful and accurate.
  • Protect the privacy of participants and colleagues.
  • Do not share confidential information.
  • Ask permission before publishing photos, stories, or references to others.
  • Raise concerns through appropriate channels whenever possible.


Speaking Up
Everyone has the right to ask questions, raise concerns, or report inappropriate behaviour.
Concerns may relate to:
  • Safety issues
  • Bullying or harassment
  • Discrimination
  • Misuse of funds or resources
  • Breaches of confidentiality
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Any behaviour that conflicts with our values

Reports are handled carefully, confidentially, and without retaliation against the person raising the concern.

If something does not feel right, we encourage you to speak with:

1. The Person Involved

If it feels safe and appropriate, discuss the issue directly.

2. A Supervisor or Workshop Coordinator

Raise the concern with a member of the GildeLab team.

3. The Confidential Adviser (Vertrouwenspersoon)

If you would prefer independent support, the confidential adviser can listen, help clarify concerns, and discuss possible next steps.

4. The Board

Serious concerns, concerns involving management, or unresolved issues may be escalated to the Board.

5. Emergency Services

In situations involving immediate danger, violence, or criminal activity, safety always comes first.


Consequences of Violations

When this Code of Conduct is not followed, GildeLab may take appropriate action.
Depending on the situation, this may include:
  • A discussion and corrective guidance.
  • Additional supervision or training.
  • A formal warning.
  • Temporary restrictions on participation or access.
  • Ending a volunteer role, assignment, employment, or partnership.
  • Recovery of damages where necessary.
  • Reporting serious incidents to relevant authorities.


Together We Create GildeLab
Every participant, volunteer, employee, client, partner, and supporter contributes to the culture of GildeLab.

By treating each other with respect, care, professionalism, and integrity, we create a place where people can learn, grow, and succeed together.


Full Code of Conduct

This page provides a summary of the most important principles and expectations.

For detailed procedures, governance requirements, reporting processes, investigation procedures, and formal provisions, please refer to the full Code of Conduct.

Read the full Code of Conduct by clicking here.