[Reference] Staff Code of Conduct

Jay · 01-30-2007, 11:56 AM

FF Extreme Staff Code of Conduct

LAST REVISED 1/28/2007

Essentially, you've all been hired under the premise that I can trust you all to be fun-loving, yet responsible staffers. There are a lot of changes that are going to occur as to how these forums are run, so just as expected, I'm posting a sort of staff constitution for all of us to work by.

Banning Members
As far as banning members, one should never take it upon themselves to ban someone outright unless it appears as though the integrity of the forums is at stake (advertising, mass flaming or thread bombs). We use the Advanced Warning System Hack here (help can be sought out by PMing me or any other administrator), and that particular hack will distribute the appropriate point denominations and warnings necessary for a ban. If you have any questions as far as what to warn or ban someone for, please post a thread in the Lounge and you can get input from the lot of us.
Drama
Basically, I don't approve of the concept of our staff getting into it with members. If someone needs to be shot down, we can easily use PMs, MSN, AIM or even e-mail to do it. There are some cases where drama is acceptable, as it brings more traffic in and causes members to post more. However, when it becomes malicious and will bring about no resolution of anything important, then that's when warnings need to be issued. If you find that a staff member is actively engaging in drama and being needlessly malicious, let them know that it's something that needs to be stopped. An intelligent member can easily use a staff member's misbehavior as a means of gaining the upper hand in authority against us; ie: Words of Ivory.
Staff Lounge Privacy
This one's pretty self-explanatory; if you see it posted here in the Staff Lounge, it doesn't leave the Staff Lounge. Take pride in your elitism, babes.
Speaking On Behalf Of The Staff
Try to make it a point to avoid speaking on behalf of the staff. We look stupid if someone says, "YA WE'RE GANNA HAVE A BATTEL SISTEM AND AN ARKADE AND EVRYTHING," and the rest of the staff disagrees entirely. Be professional; only speak on issues that we've all completely agreed on and are willing to release to the public.
Decision Making
Here's the big one. Once an issue is brought up in the staff lounge and a decision needs to be made, we all have a say on the issue. The consensus or majority always determines what kind of decision is made. If a poll/vote takes place, the poll/vote is closed after 24 hours have transpired. This forces the staff to be active if they want their opinion to have an impact.

Once a decision is made, it's final. When we go public with it, no member or opposing staff member can appeal to overturn said decision. Otherwise, it makes us look like a bunch of spineless cunts who can't make up their minds. That doesn't mean further down the line that we can't change our minds, however.
Workplace Conduct
Honestly, if you have a problem with the way someone else on staff is treating you, bring it up with Jak or Words. From there, we will mediate the problem and assist you in resolving it. In any case, keep your beefs and dramatics out of here. If you can't conduct yourselves reasonably, you're going to receive a warning.
Words Goes To Coventry
Please avoid infiltrating other sites and speaking on behalf of our site. This is a policy that Words of Ivory made famous when he went to FFF and caused drama because they had usurped something from a site he worked at. It makes us look ridiculous when someone takes it upon themselves to represent an entire site without authorization or the actual authority to do so. Moral of the story? Don't do it.
Moderation Techniques
Do not edit or delete posts unless they're truly that offensive/inappropriate. Our Advanced Editing options give the staff a lot of leeway in what we are able to do, however, keep in mind that it is a privilege that isn't to be abused.

Move threads that are in the wrong section, redirects or not; doesn't really matter to me.

Close threads with caution. Closing a thread too soon can really piss off certain members, so I often find it best to close a thread if a solidified resolution's been reached and the thread appears dead. Other threads that are completely inappropriate or drama starting can just be shut down and closed up.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact myself, Dave, or Mike.