Grievances
Policy no. V-4
Effective date: 01/01/2008
Scope: Staff
Exclusions:
Faculty, executive staff, temporaries, staff employees who have been laid off, and staff employees in their orientation period cannot file a grievance unless the claim alleges a violation of the Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy (I-1).
Term employees are also excluded from filing a grievance regarding their position ending but may file a grievance for other reasons within the grievance policy.
The procedures utilized for faculty to bring a grievance or claim of discrimination are set out in Chapter 3, part V of the Faculty Handbook.
Staff employees who have been notified of their termination and who adversely affect the university community (i.e., exhibit disruptive, threatening behavior etc) may be precluded from filing a grievance regarding their involuntary termination.
Definitions: "Staff Grievance Appeal Committee refers to a standing committee appointed by the President.
Policy Statement
The university strives to maintain fair and consistent policies towards its employees. If an employee believes that Human Resources policies and procedures are not being properly applied to the employee's workplace situation, corrective action or to his/her involuntary termination, the employee may utilize the university’s grievance procedure. The grievance procedure is intended to be utilized for specific violations of Human Resources policies and procedures as opposed to concerns related to general complaints, i.e. performance evaluations, job analysis, or compensation, etc. A member of the Employee Relations staff is available to provide consultative/resolution services to determine whether or not a grievance is within the grievance policy, and to attempt to resolve general workplace issues, concerns and specific complaints regarding Human Resources policies and procedures. Employees are encouraged to seek resolution to their issues, concerns and/or their complaints through their departmental supervisors or Employee Relations before filing a grievance.
The grievance procedure may also be utilized by employees who believe that the university’s policy of Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity (I-1) has been violated and that they have been subjected to discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, or veteran status. A member of the Equal Opportunity and Diversity staff is available to provide consultative/resolution services to attempt to resolve all discrimination complaints.
In addition, the university intends to maintain an environment free of sexual harassment and will not tolerate any form of harassment of employees, faculty or students. The Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure (I-1a) should be utilized by members of the university community who believe they have been sexually harassed by others in the university community. Members of the university community may also use the Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure (I-1a) to bring sexual harassment complaints against visitors, guest lecturers, program participants, etc. whose behavior in the educational or working environment is in question.
Retaliation against persons who raise a general complaint or who file a grievance of any kind is prohibited and will constitute separate grounds for corrective action up to and including termination or expulsion from the university.
Since the grievance procedure is an internal process provided for internal resolution of alleged violations of the Human Resources policies and procedures and is not a legal forum, staff members may not be accompanied at the grievance hearing by any other person, including an attorney; the hearing may not be electronically recorded.
Policy Administration: Joint responsibility of supervisors, department heads, Vice President of Human Resources, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, Staff Grievance Appeal Committee, Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Student Employment
Reference: Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure (1-1a ), Non-Retaliation/Protection for Whistleblower Policy, (I-11), Positive Corrective Action Policy and Procedure (III-3, III-3a), Staff Grievance Procedure (V-4a), Faculty Handbook, The Employment Handbook for Students
