Scrum Alliance has updated its Code of Ethics to clearly prohibit hate speech in any context. Using a slightly modified version of the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech definition of hate speech, "hate speech" will be defined as "any kind of communication, including through speech, writing, imagery, or behavior, that attacks or uses pejorative, dehumanizing, violent, or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, or other identity factor."
Why the change?
Scrum Alliance has recently received complaints regarding intolerant views expressed by certain members on both personal and professional social media channels. The complaints argued that these views expressed were harmful to the entire agile community and not reflective of the scrum and agile values of the Scrum Alliance community.
We agree, and have made this change to allow Scrum Alliance to stand behind its principles of acceptance and inclusivity. In addition to serving as a professional certification body, Scrum Alliance is a membership association representing the scrum and agile community. As we look to further our mission of "agile for anyone," we must ensure that all feel welcomed and safe. An unwillingness to accept others' differences runs contrary to our own core scrum values of openness and respect.
Of course, we're also aware that we have community members from all over the globe bringing their own cultural perspectives, religious values, lived experiences, and personal viewpoints. Differences of opinion are healthy and expected within a diverse community and should serve as opportunities for productive dialogue. Good faith disagreements are to be expected, but must always be respectful. This policy aims to respect freedom of expression and diversity of opinions while also refusing to accept hate, intolerance, or dehumanization of any group.
Frequently asked questions
Below we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the hate speech policy:
Is Scrum Alliance expanding its purview by issuing guidelines for members’ behavior? The new hate speech policy is a natural extension of the long-standing professional standards and values that have long been included in the Scrum Alliance Code of Ethics. These standards and values previously included maintaining collegial relationships based on respect, dignity, and high ethical standards, not discriminating against others, and honoring the scrum values including respect for others. We continue to believe that emphasizing these basic pillars of professional expectations is an important part of our role in setting professional standards.
Is this an overreach of Scrum Alliance’s role? We do not believe it is overreaching or unreasonable to draw the line at beliefs that are dehumanizing or violent towards a group on the basis of who they are. The policy is intended to leave plenty of room for disagreements and diversity of opinion. However, there is no reason that anyone should dehumanize or discriminate against a person or group based on their identity. We do not believe that such expression serves any useful purpose, and have received many complaints that Scrum Alliance’s tolerance of such content is repellant to new members seeking an inclusive and respectful environment.
Does this policy violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution? Scrum Alliance is not a government body and not subject to the First Amendment. Regardless, we profoundly value everyone’s rights to free expression of ideas—including our own—and open, good faith debate.
Will Scrum Alliance become the “thought police” and punish only those you disagree with? No. We have received some very reasonable questions regarding enforcement of this policy, and can assure you that this is the last thing we want to do. We receive ethics complaints of many kinds, and will continue to look into each one individually and communicate with individuals in potential violation to offer them a chance to address the situation and respond, as is required under our disciplinary policy and procedures. In reality, these are always nuanced and complicated matters and we will continue to address them thoughtfully and assuming best intentions.
Scrum Alliance represents a community and a movement grounded in humanity, respect, and courage. We believe that all of us in this community, including ourselves, have a moral obligation to uphold those values and to uphold the dignity of all people. We will always support differing viewpoints, spirited debates, and challenging perspectives. But we will not and should not tolerate active hatred towards others on the basis of who they are. To do so would be a failure of our own values.