Inclusion and Diversity

At Respellion, inclusion and diversity are not a separate programme. They are built into how we are organised, the values we hold, and a number of concrete policies documented across this handbook. This page brings those provisions together and is the canonical owner of our catering default at events; everything else is owned by another section and linked from here.

Our Basis: Values and Structure

Our four core values and our manifest set the expectation directly. We state that we "don't think in terms of us and them", that there is "no ladder of success", and that we take care of each other with a caring attitude rather than pursuing individual interest.

Our Holacracy operating model reinforces this in structure. Work is organised in roles rather than job titles, authority is distributed rather than hierarchical, and any role can raise a "tension" — a gap between what is and what could be — through the governance process. This gives every colleague a defined route to voice and improve how we work, without a management layer standing in between.

Inclusion Within Our Coaching Culture

Inclusion and diversity are an explicit part of how we develop as people. The Emotional Capacity area of our Capacity Building Framework covers social skills, self-reflection, the alignment of personal values with work, and inclusivity and diversity.

The huddles provide the trusted, small-group setting where this happens in practice. Their purpose includes coaching each other on professional and personal issues, and their design around openness and vulnerability is intended to create a safe environment in which concerns — including those relating to inclusion and diversity — can be raised and addressed.

Interchangeable Holiday Policy

To be an inclusive organisation, you may exchange 4 national Dutch public holidays per year for any other day that matters to you — for example Eid al-Fitr (Suikerfeest), Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving, your birthday, or Christmas Eve. You request the alternative day as leave with verlofsoort FEESTDAG.

Inclusive Catering at Events

Catering at Respellion events is vegetarian by default, with alternatives available on request. The purpose of the default is inclusion: it removes the recurring need for individuals with dietary, religious, or ethical requirements to advocate for themselves, and instead makes the inclusive option the standard everyone starts from.

When you expense food and drinks for a team event, follow the normal rules and WKR constraints in Spending and Contracting → Team events, food & drinks.

Handling Sensitive Personal Data

Diversity-related information is sensitive. Under the GDPR, data on a person's race, religion, health, and similar attributes are special categories of personal data: processing them is prohibited unless a specific legal exception applies, and you must consult the Privacy Officer before using such data. Restrict access to personal data to those who need it for their role, and store sensitive data only in secure applications. (Rules: Security → Working with Personal Data.)