Badge Usage Guidelines

These Badge Usage Guidelines ("Guidelines") govern the use of the Agency Workplaces Official Recognition Badge ("Badge") awarded by Agency Workplaces, LLC, a California limited liability company ("Company"). These Guidelines are incorporated by reference into the Agency Workplaces Terms & Conditions.

1. License Grant

Upon being designated "Officially Culturally Recognized" for a given Program Year, the Company grants the recognized Client a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, non-transferable license to display the Badge for that specific Program Year, subject to these Guidelines.

Client retains the right to display the Badge indefinitely on websites, job postings, social media, marketing materials, and other channels, even in Program Years where Client does not re-apply or qualify, provided the Badge clearly indicates the Program Year of recognition.

2. Authorized Use

Client is encouraged to display the Badge and may:

Display the Badge on its website, including footer, careers page, and other locations.
Include the Badge in job postings, recruiting materials, and onboarding documents.
Use the Badge in print and digital marketing collateral.
Share the Badge on social media platforms.
Resize the Badge proportionally to fit different formats, provided the Badge remains clearly legible and the Program Year remains visible.

3. Prohibited Modifications

To preserve the integrity and value of the certification, Client shall not:

Alter, modify, edit, or remove the Program Year shown on the Badge.
Alter, modify, edit, or remove any tier, designation, or text shown on the Badge.
Change the colors, layout, typography, or visual elements of the Badge.
Combine the Badge with other marks, certifications, or designs in a way that creates a derivative or hybrid mark.
Display the Badge in a manner that implies recognition for a Program Year other than the one originally awarded.
Use the Badge to imply Company endorsement of Client's specific products, services, campaigns, or third parties.

Official Badge files in approved formats are provided by the Company at the time of recognition. Client should use only the official files provided.

4. Program Year Display

The Badge represents recognition for a specific Program Year. While Client may display the Badge indefinitely, the Program Year must remain clearly visible and unaltered.

Client may not represent itself as currently recognized in a Program Year other than the one originally awarded unless Client has completed a new Program cycle and re-qualified.

5. Misrepresentation

Any use of the Badge that intentionally misrepresents Client's recognition status constitutes a material breach of these Guidelines. Misrepresentation includes:

Falsifying or altering the Program Year displayed on the Badge.
Claiming recognition without having been awarded the certification.
Implying ongoing or current recognition in years where Client has not re-qualified.
Creating an unauthorized variation of the Badge that suggests a different tier or level of recognition.

6. Consequences of Misuse

In the event of Badge misuse or misrepresentation:

The Company may issue written notice requiring Client to correct the misuse within thirty (30) days.
If misuse is not corrected within the cure period, or in cases of intentional misrepresentation, the Company may immediately revoke Client's recognition status and remove Client's profile from the Agency Workplaces Index.
In cases of intentional misrepresentation, Client agrees to pay the Company liquidated damages of up to ten thousand United States dollars ($10,000 USD), commensurate with the severity of the misuse and the impact on the Company's reputation. The parties agree this amount is a reasonable estimate of damages and not a penalty.
The Company reserves the right to pursue additional legal remedies for material harm caused by Badge misuse.

7. Reporting Misuse

Suspected misuse of the Badge, whether by a recognized Client or by any third party, should be reported to support@agencyworkplaces.com. The Company will investigate reports and take appropriate action.

8. Updates to These Guidelines

The Company may update these Guidelines from time to time. Updates do not retroactively revoke the perpetual license granted for previously awarded Program Years, but may affect new recognitions.