Template
Culture · Template
Transparency Charter Template
A framework for documenting why transparency matters to your organisation, what it means in practice, and how and when you share information openly.
Welcome
A transparency charter is a compass for how your company acts, decides, and communicates. It is a deliberate commitment to openness, clarity, and honesty that helps employees understand what is shared by default, what is not, and why.
This template outlines why transparency is important, what it means in your organisation, how and when you show it, and what stays closed by default. Each section includes Open Org guidance, handbook examples, and a checklist.
When you are ready to create your own version, hit Build this for me with AI at the bottom of the page. Open Org Workspace AI will walk you through adapting the template to your context and produce a charter you can export to Word or paste into Notion.
Why a charter helps
Instituting a transparency charter offers multiple advantages for startups and scale-ups building trust as they grow.
Builds trust
Fosters genuine relationships with employees, candidates, and stakeholders.
Normalises openness
Encourages a default-to-open mindset that supports psychological safety.
Enhances engagement
Keeps people motivated and loyal when they understand how decisions are made.
Improves decision making
Encourages informed, data-backed choices across the business.
Boosts accountability
Puts actions and decisions under responsible scrutiny.
Minimises misinformation
Reduces speculation and rumours when clarity is the norm.
Why transparency?
See how others do it
Checklist for this section
- Clear statement of why transparency matters here
- Link to values, mission, product, or founder story where relevant
- Written in language that feels authentic to your company
What does transparency mean at us?
See how others do it
Checklist for this section
- Definition of transparency scoped to your organisation
- Priority areas named (what you lean into most)
- Expectations set for how open you will be and where
How and when we show transparency
See how others do it
Checklist for this section
- Guidance for each major touchpoint (hiring, meetings, feedback, etc.)
- Examples of what is shared openly and how
- Clear list of what is not open by default and why
Additional guidance
Checklist for this section
- Support for colleagues who find transparency challenging
- Internal contacts for questions about what to share
- Review cadence and how employees can suggest changes
- Plan to publish externally (website or public handbook)
Areas to consider
When documenting how and when you show transparency, work through these touchpoints across the employee and candidate journey. For each, define what is open, what is not, and why.
FAQs
Pre-empt common employee questions. Use these as starters and add your own as they come up.
What information is not shared by default?
Document your answer here as you build out your charter.
Who decides what we share externally?
Document your answer here as you build out your charter.
How do I know if something is okay to post in Slack?
Document your answer here as you build out your charter.
Can this charter change over time?
Document your answer here as you build out your charter.
Inspiration and resources
Public examples and the full Open Org playbook for building and embedding your charter.
Further reading
GitLab
Transparency as a core value
Buffer
Open company dashboard and salaries
PostHog
Public handbook and transparency in practice
Transparency Charter playbook
MembersStep-by-step guide to building and embedding a charter (Open Org Workspace members)
Open Org Workspace membership required. You will be asked to sign in.
More open resources
Other free templates and diagnostics from Open Org.
Open Culture Framework
Score 35 transparency areas across six pillars to map how open you are today.
Compensation Philosophy Template
Often pairs with transparency work when you open up on pay and total rewards.
Values Evolution Blueprint
Co-create values and behaviours that transparency can anchor to.
Transformation Playbook
Deliver transformative change with a staged approach to alignment and engagement.
Communication Blueprints
Choose the right communication mode for any people moment, from all-hands to difficult conversations.
Culture Heatmap
Score 29 culture statements across nine areas to see where your organisation is thriving.
Want help applying this in your org?
Join Open Org WorkspaceOpen Org Transparency Charter Template. Adapt freely for your organisation.