Personnel Policies Handbook For Supportive Operating Staff
Denison recognizes the need of support staff members to express their complaints and to seek a solution concerning disagreements arising from working relationships, working conditions, employment practices, or differences of interpretation of policy that might arise between the University and the members of Supportive Operating Staff.
Complaints of harassment must be pursued under the Denison University Antiharassment and Free Speech Policy. See the section called “Antiharassment & Free Speech Policy” - the section called “Appeals” for the complete policy and procedure. Under this policy and procedure, harassment cases decided by the Human Resources Advisory Group may be appealed to the President within ten working days of notification of the decision.
Not all decisions rendered please everyone every time. If you feel you have a complaint or problem that needs a solution, don't keep it to yourself. Your supervisor has a responsibility to see that your problem is resolved as quickly as possible. We ask you to follow these steps in resolving your problem once you are beyond your introductory period.(See Note A.)
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First, discuss the problem with your supervisor. If you still have a complaint after discussing the problem with your supervisor, you should formalize the complaint in writing and submit it to your supervisor. Your supervisor has five (5) working days (excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays) to give you an answer in writing. (See Note B.)
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If you are not satisfied with the answer given by your supervisor, you are free to forward your complaint in writing or discuss your problem personally with the Director of Human Resources and/or the Associate Director of Human Resources (see Building Services Note below) . All appeals must be registered within five (5) working days from the date of the response by your supervisor. One of these individuals will review the problem with you, your department head, and other persons involved, in an effort to resolve the problem. The Director of Human Resources and/or the Associate Director of Human Resources must give you a written answer within ten (10) working days. (See Note B.)
Note: Building Services Employees
If you are a Building Services employee and are not satisfied with the answer given by your supervisor, you are free to forward your complaint in writing or discuss your problem personally with the Manager of Building Services within five (5) working days from the date of the response from your supervisor. If the Manager of Building Services does not give you a satisfactory answer in writing within five (5) working days, please see Physical Plant Personnel note below. (See Note B.)
Note: Physical Plant Personnel
If you are not satisfied with the decision made by your supervisor in Step One, you are free to forward your complaint in writing or discuss your problem personally with the Director of the Physical Plant within five (5) working days from the date of your review with your supervisor. If the Director of the Physical Plant does not give you a satisfactory answer in writing within five (5) working days, you should proceed with Step Two. (See Note B.)
Note:
There may be times when an employee feels it would not be appropriate to discuss a personal problem with the supervisor. In that case, the employee may go directly to the Director or Associate Director of Human Resources.
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The Vice President for Finance and Management may be appealed to in any case not resolved in a satisfactory manner by the Director of Human Resources and/or Associate Director of Human Resources. All appeals must be submitted in writing within ten (10) working days of response by the Director of Human Resources and/or Associate Director of Human Resources, giving detailed information and signed by you.
Your appeal will be reviewed by a review panel of three members of the supportive operating staff described below. (Note B for obtaining representation, if desired.) Such a panel will be assembled within five (5) working days after receipt of the appeal. One member is selected by the complainant (employee), (Note C applies) and one by the Vice President for Finance and Management. The two individuals selected for the panel will then select a third member who will serve as chairperson. They will advise the Vice President for Finance and Management of their findings and recommendations within ten (10) working days. The Vice President for Finance and Management will take those recommendations under advisement for his/her final decision. A written report of the action taken by the Vice President for Finance and Management is to be given to you within fifteen (15) working days and a copy of this report together with the written complaint will be made a part of your personnel file.
Notes:
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The employee may withdraw a complaint at any time during the process by written notice to the supervisor and/or the Director of Human Resources or the Associate Director of Human Resources.
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You may request to have a Denison University support staff employee present with you and your supervisor. This option is also available if satisfaction is not received at the supervisory level and you choose to register your complaint with the Director of Human Resources and/or the Associate Director of Human Resources. A representative may be any member of the supportive operating staff.
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This may be the same representative, if any, involved earlier in the process.