Community Guidelines

Welcome to the SparkShift Community

SparkShift is a professional platform built by electricians, for electricians. Our community includes apprentices, journeymen, foremen, contractors, union representatives, and trade school instructors. These guidelines ensure that SparkShift remains a respectful, supportive, and professional environment for everyone in the electrical trade.

1. Core Principles

1.1 Professional Conduct

SparkShift is a professional tool. All interactions should reflect the professionalism expected in the electrical trade. Treat fellow members as you would treat coworkers on a job site.

1.2 Respect and Inclusion

The electrical trade is diverse. We welcome members of all backgrounds, experience levels, locals, and training paths. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusionary behavior based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or union affiliation is strictly prohibited.

1.3 Safety First

Safety is paramount in the electrical industry. Never share advice or content that encourages unsafe work practices. Always follow NEC codes, OSHA regulations, and local safety requirements.

2. Forum and Discussion Guidelines

2.1 Constructive Discussions

When participating in forums and discussions:

• Stay on topic and contribute meaningfully to conversations
• Share knowledge generously — remember, you were once learning too
• Ask questions respectfully; no question is too basic
• Cite sources when sharing technical information or code references
• Disagree respectfully — attack ideas, not people

2.2 Prohibited Content

The following content is not allowed:

• Personal attacks, insults, or harassment
• Hate speech or discriminatory language
• Spam, excessive self-promotion, or advertising
• Misinformation about electrical codes or safety practices
• Confidential information about employers, job sites, or clients
• Content promoting illegal activities
• NSFW content or inappropriate images

2.3 Mentorship Culture

SparkShift encourages a culture of mentorship. Experienced electricians should help guide apprentices and those new to the trade. Constructive criticism is welcome; belittling or gatekeeping is not.

3. Profile and Identity

3.1 Authentic Profiles

Use your real name or a professional alias. Your profile should accurately represent your role, experience level, and affiliations in the electrical trade.

3.2 Credentials

Do not misrepresent your qualifications, certifications, or experience. Falsely claiming to be a licensed electrician, certified inspector, or union official is grounds for account termination.

3.3 Profile Photos

Profile photos should be professional and appropriate for a workplace environment. They do not need to show your face but should not contain offensive imagery.

4. Work-Related Content

4.1 Job Site Privacy

Respect job site confidentiality. Do not share photos, blueprints, or details that could identify client properties without permission. Never share proprietary project information.

4.2 Employer Respect

While constructive discussions about work conditions are welcome, avoid defaming specific employers, contractors, or individuals. Focus on general experiences and advice rather than naming and shaming.

4.3 Union Discussions

SparkShift welcomes both union and non-union electricians. Discussions about union matters are permitted, but respect different perspectives. Do not pressure others regarding union membership decisions.

5. User Blocking

You can block other users to prevent them from contacting you or viewing your content. When you block someone:

• They cannot send you direct messages or contact requests
• They will not see your forum posts (and you won't see theirs)
• They are not notified that they have been blocked
• Blocking is mutual—you also cannot contact them until you unblock

To block a user, visit their profile and select "Block User" from the menu. You can manage your blocked users list in your account settings.

6. Content Moderation

5.1 What We Review

Our moderation team may review:

• Forum posts and replies: When reported for guideline violations
• Photos and media: Uploaded content for appropriateness
• Direct messages: When a participant reports harassment, threats, or spam
• Profiles: For misrepresentation or inappropriate content
• Jobsite submissions: For accuracy and appropriateness

5.2 Direct Message Privacy

5.3 Reporting Violations

If you see content or behavior that violates these guidelines, please report it using the in-app reporting feature. When you report content:

• Your report is sent to our moderation team for review
• The reported content may be reviewed by staff
• You'll receive confirmation that your report was received
• The reported user is not notified who filed the report

You can also email reports to admin@sparkshift.app.

5.4 Enforcement Actions

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

• Warning: A formal notice for minor or first-time violations
• Feature restrictions: Temporary limits on posting, messaging, or other features
• Temporary suspension: Account access restricted for a set period (24 hours to 90 days)
• Permanent ban: Account termination for severe or repeated violations
• Content removal: Violating content removed without notice

The severity of enforcement depends on the nature of the violation, whether it's a repeat offense, and the impact on other community members. Serious violations (threats, illegal content, harassment) may result in immediate account termination.

5.5 Appeals

If you believe a moderation action was made in error, you may appeal by emailingadmin@sparkshift.app with "Moderation Appeal" in the subject line. Appeals are reviewed within 5-7 business days. Our decision on appeals is final.

7. Changes to Guidelines

We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time. Significant changes will be announced through the app and our website. Continued use of SparkShift after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated guidelines.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Community Guidelines, please contact us at: