4340 - GRIEVANCE POLICY

C-TEC of Licking County

Bylaws & Policies

4340 - GRIEVANCE POLICY

It is the policy of the Board of Education to develop and practice reasonable and effective means of resolving difficulties which may arise among employees, to reduce potential areas of grievances, and to establish and maintain recognized two-way channels of communication between employees.

The Board intends in this grievance policy to expedite the process for all parties concerned. The policy, therefore, has as its goal the following:

	A.	The policy is intended to be used after an attempt has been made to resolve a difficulty on a face-to-face basis between the parties concerned.
	B.	The policy is designed to secure proper and equitable solutions to grievances at the lowest appropriate level, and to facilitate an orderly succession of procedures within which solutions may be pursued.
	C.	There shall be no reprisals of any kind taken against any employee or his/her representative because of participation in a grievance or support thereof and under no circumstances will the procedure constitute a reflection on the employment record of the grievant.

For the purpose of this policy, the terms used herein shall have the following listed definitions:

GRIEVANCE

A grievance is an alleged violation of (or) any unresolved problem concerning application or interpretation of State laws or regulations, the policies, rules or regulations of the Board of Education or written administrative procedures.

PROBLEM

A problem is a complaint relating to the conditions or circumstances under which an employee works. A problem may become a grievance if it is a violation of a written policy, rule or regulation of the Board.

GRIEVANT

A grievant may be one or more employees of the District.

A DAY

A day is any day that the District administrative offices are open for business.

Alleged grievances should be discussed in private, informal conference between parties involved with the grievant's immediate supervisor or administrator.

At least one (1) such private meeting should take place between the parties before the grievance procedure is invoked.

The time limits provided for in this policy may be extended by mutual written agreement of the parties. Any decision not appealed within the limits from one level to the next level in the grievance policy shall be considered settled on the basis of the last decision and not subject to further appeal.

LEVEL ONE

	A.	Within five (5) days after the occurrence of the act or omission giving rise to the grievance, the grievant must present his/her grievance in writing to the supervisor with immediate responsibilities for the position to which the complainant is assigned.
		This statement shall be a clear, concise statement of the grievance, and:

		1.	The policy or law for which there is an alleged violation
		2.	The circumstances on which the grievance is based
		3.	The person(s) involved
		4.	The decision rendered at the private conference
		5.	The remedy sought

	B.	Within five (5) days the administrator shall communicate his/her decision to the employee in writing.
		Either party to the grievance shall have the right to request a personal conference in order to resolve the grievance.

LEVEL TWO

	A.	In the event the employee is not satisfied with the decision in Level one, he/she may appeal the decision in writing to the Appropriate Director within five (5) days after receiving it.
	B.	This written statement shall include:

		1.	A copy of the original grievance
		2.	The decision rendered
		3.	A clear, concise statement of the reasons for the appeal on the decision

	C.	The Appropriate Director shall communicate the decision to the grievant within five (5) days.
	D.	Either party in the appeal may request a personal conference within the above time limits. If the decision has not been rendered within the time limits, the grievant may appeal to the next level.

LEVEL THREE

	A.	In the event the employee is not satisfied with the decision in Level Two, he/she may appeal the decision in writing to the Superintendent within five (5) days after receiving it.
	B.	This written statement shall include:

		1.	A copy of the original grievance
		2.	The decision rendered
		3.	A clear, concise statement of the reasons for the appeal on the decision

	C.	The Superintendent shall communicate the decision to the grievant within five (5) days.
	D.	Either party in the appeal may request a personal conference within the above time limits. If the decision has not been rendered within the time limits, the grievant may appeal to the next level.

LEVEL FOUR

	A.	Within five (5) days after receiving the decision of the Superintendent, the grievant may, on his/her own or through a conferee, appeal the decision in writing to the Board.
	B.	The Board shall schedule the matter for a hearing at an executive session to be held at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The grievant shall be present at the hearing.
	C.	Within five (5) days following the hearing the Board will submit its decision in writing together with supporting reasons to the grievant. A copy shall be furnished the administrator(s) involved and the Superintendent.
		The decision of the Board is final.