Our goal is to ensure every Snap Fitness gym is a welcoming and positive space so everyone can enjoy the benefits of fitness and wellbeing that come as being part of our supportive fitness community. 

The safety of all members and team members is paramount to us and everyone has the right to be, and to feel, safe. We expect everyone to be respectful to each other and there are no circumstances where it is okay to intimidate or harass another person. 

Snap Fitness is the franchisor of Snap Fitness gyms. Franchised gyms are owned and operated by independent business owners and the staff and any other contractors are employed by the them. Snap Fitness does not have the power, responsibility, or liability in respect to the hiring, discharging or related matters of franchisee employees. This policy provides a code of conduct and guidance that we expect our franchisees to comply with. 

If any member, visitor, staff or PT in our Gyms feel they have been harassed they should speak to a member of the gym management team, if you are unable to do so please email safety@snapfitness.co.uk. Every person and every case will be reviewed in detail then dealt with sensitively and as confidential as possible.  

OUR POLICY 

This policy applies to all people who use, access, or provide services in Snap Fitness facilities. 
 

It outlines what Snap Fitness defines as harassment and our approach to managing allegations or experience of this behaviour in our Gyms. 
 

HARASSMENT CAN BE DEFINED AS 

• Aggressive pressure or intimidation. 

• Unwelcome attention based on personal characteristics. 

• Conduct which threatens, intimidates, alarms or makes a user uncomfortable putting them at fear for their safety. 

• Physical violence, or direct or inferred sexual threat. 

• Threatening, offensive, unwelcome, abusive verbal language or behaviour. 

HARASSMENT CAN BE 

• Direct – to you as an individual from another individual or group of individuals. 

• Indirect – witnessed towards someone else, or a group you are not/ or do not wish to be related or linked to. 

 
Harassment doesn’t have to be about you to affect and impact you. 

HARASSMENT EXAMPLES 

There are many forms of Harassment, some examples of these are: 

• Negative, unwelcome, aggressive or detrimental comments about race, heritage or ethnicity. 

• Comments, jokes or suggestive statements about someone’s sexual orientation, gender or identity. 

• Derogatory comments or actions regarding a person’s ability or disability – physical or mental. 

• Exclusive or negative comments, suggestions or behaviours towards a person because of their age. 

• Unkind, negative comments that will offend or embarrass someone because of their size, appearance or fitness levels. 

IN FACILITY HARASSMENT EXAMPLES 

Harassment may take on many forms, but in a facility environment all of the above can be seen through unwanted, unreasonable and unnecessary behaviours that have a negative impact on another person or even group of people. 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT EXAMPLES 

There are many forms of Sexual Harassment, some examples of this are (this list is not exhaustive): 

• Unwelcome physical contact – touching, patting, pinching, stroking, kissing, hugging, fondling or inappropriate touching. 

• Physical violence, including sexual assault (as defined by the Crown Prosecution Service/Sexual Offences Act). 

• Sexual comments, jokes or stories that offend or humiliate a person or group of people. 

• Unwanted comments on a person’s looks, dress, sexuality, age or gender in a derogatory or objectifying way. 

• Repeated unwanted flirting or flirting at an inappropriate time which could be deemed to undermine or damage a person’s reputation. 

• Lewd behaviour such as leering, whistling or gesturing.  

IN FACILITY SEXUAL HARASSMENT EXAMPLES 

Harassment may take on many forms, but examples of this in a facility environment are: 

• Uninvited correction of another member’s form or technique when training. 

• Taking unsolicited photographs or videos of another person. 

• Excessive watching or staring at another person – directly or via mirrors. 

• Continuously exercising next to or near to another person or following them around the facility. 

• Sending or sharing of unwelcome personal images to any other person. 

• Unwanted flirtation or sexual advances. 

• Commenting on other people’s body, looks or clothing (appearance). 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED HARASSMENT OR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR 

If you feel you have been the victim of harassment by a member or employee, where appropriate you should discuss this with them directly. If this is not possible or you are uncomfortable to do so, you should report it to the Gym Management team immediately or alternatively, you can contact our support office team at safety@snapfitness.co.uk. We will then commence an investigation which will follow the company procedures and may include: 
 

1. Report the allegation to an appropriate senior person within the independent franchise operator or report to the email address provided. 

2. Taking a detailed statement from you about the incident. 

3. Discussing allegations with the individual they are against and use efforts to preserve confidentiality.  

4. Reviewing the initial allegations with the independent franchise operator and a Snap Fitness Senior Manager to agree any immediate action. 

5. The alleged individual may be suspended from the facility whilst a full investigation is carried out. 

6. A full investigation meeting (via phone or video call) may be arranged with you, with notes of the discussion taken. 

7. CCTV footage will be reviewed (if available). 

8. Statements/notes will be taken from any witnesses (if available). 

9. A review and recording of any written or other evidence (text, email, social media posts etc) may be conducted. 

10. If, after investigation there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations we will do everything possible to ensure any actions are handled in a timely and just manner, or close proceedings if there is insufficient evidence to support the allegations. 

11. Inform all parties of the outcome. 

12. Offer mediation (if appropriate) to enable and support both parties to move forwards. 

13. If the incident is referred to the Police, we will cooperate in full with all requests. 

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACTED PT DISCIPLINARY ACTION 

If following an investigation of a minor incident, there is a belief that the individual had acted with poor judgement or made an innocent error – coaching and education may be the appropriate course of action to take. 

If, however, the investigation provides evidence that there has been direct or indirect intentional harassment, the matter will be reviewed with the franchisee and a recommended course of action or sanction may be made to the franchisee. Please note however that Snap Fitness does not have the power, responsibility, or liability in respect to the hiring, discharging or related matters of franchisee employees or contractors.. 

 
Internal processes remain confidential as with all employee management, however, the lessons learned and evidence may be redacted and used in further staff training and education to promote best practice in the future. 

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF MEMBER INVESTIGATION 

If following an investigation of an incident, there is a belief that the user had acted with poor judgement or made an innocent error – a warning, apology and education may be the appropriate action to take. 
 

If, however, the investigation provides evidence that there has been direct or indirect intentional harassment, a formal sanction may be issued. Sanctions will be in line with the following guidance: 
 

• A warning of potential ban for a second offence or a severe first offence. 

• Immediate ban of the member. 

• Referral of the incident, with consent of the aggrieved, to the police. 

 
Internal processes remain confidential, however, the lessons learned and evidence may be redacted and used in further training and education to promote best practice in the future. 
 

SUPPORT TO MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HARASSMENT 

1. If you are not happy with the process or the outcome, you can request for the case to be escalated to a more senior manager in-line with the organisations procedures to review your case. 

2. We hope you will be comfortable to return to the facility and will support you as much as we can. 

3. If appropriate, you will be offered an opportunity for a mediated conversation with the individual the allegation was against if they are remaining in the facility, if they are agreeable to the session and if you feel this would be beneficial. 

4. If possible, and you would prefer to train at another one of our locations, we would support the transfer of your membership. 

QUESTIONS ON THIS POLICY 

If you have any questions on this policy or process, please email safety@snapfitness.co.uk.