Filing a Grievance

Filing a Grievance

Under the grievance policy, the university provides a fair and efficient process for you to present and resolve complaints and grievances arising out of the employment relationship. 

The grievance policy can help address workplace concerns, such as:

• Disagreements over the rating or content of your performance appraisal
• Disagreements over the level or content of a corrective action document; or
• Misapplication of university policy or a department’s practice or procedure that impacts an individual’s employment.

The Grievance Procedure

Step 1: Contact Conflict Management & Dispute Resolution (CMDR) within 10 university business days from the date of the incident or document you would like to grieve. *You can meet privately with the Conflict Management staff without committing to filing a grievance.

Step 2: Meet with a staff member at CMDR for a consultation to discuss your complaint, potential mediation, and the grievance process. The staff member will help you clarify your issues and discuss available options and resources. If the grievance policy is applicable, you will receive a Complaint Form from CMDR so that you may start the grievance process.

Step 3: Upon receipt of a complaint form, CMDR does mediation to try to resolve issues prior to escalating to a grievance. This is a voluntary process where the two people in conflict meet with a trained, neutral third party from CMDR to work toward agreements related to the complaint. 

Step 4: After mediation you can choose to move forward with a Step 1 grievance if the complaint was not satisfied, or you can close your case. Step 1 grievances are submitted to the Dean or equivalent level for review and written decision. CMDR does not serve as a decision-maker for grievances.

Step 5: After a Step 1 decision is issued, you can choose to close your grievance or move forward with a Step 2. Step 2 grievances are heard by the Provost or Vice President level. Step 2 decisions are final.

At the close of the grievance, all forms and decision letters are stored in the employee’s personnel file. CMDR does not retain copies.