Grievance-policy

Grievance Policy and Dispute Resolution. (Board Approved)

The purpose of this policy is to provide an orderly procedure for the equitable and prompt resolution of complaints. This process is designed to resolve complaints at the lowest possible level in a cooperative, conciliatory atmosphere and not intended to be adversarial in nature. No person shall be discriminated against because of filing or participating in this complaint process, and no reprisals of any kind shall be taken against any person because of participation in this complaint process. This process is for reporting any suspected violation of policy or law, not including resolution of protected status complaints (discrimination and harassment complaints). See Harassment & Discrimination Policy.

General principles:

Complaints must be fully described by the person with the grievance.

Each person involved should be heard.

The person against whom the grievance is made should have the opportunity and be given a reasonable time to provide their side of the story before resolution is attempted.

Procedure: In case of a dispute within the organization, parties will first attempt to resolve it themselves. In the case of a conflict between two staff members, a third party, usually a member of the Year-Round Staff, will act as a mediator. If mediation within the Kroka staff is unsuccessful, the Directors will call upon a member of the Board of Trustees to mediate.

If the dispute is not resolved via a Board member, he or she will set up a mediation session with a professional mediator. If the dispute is not resolved through mediation, the Board will decide the next appropriate step to take.

In the case of a dispute with a Director(s) or between Directors, that cannot be resolved by the parties themselves, a member of the Board of Trustees will mediate the dispute. If the dispute is not resolved via a Board member, he or she will set up a mediation session with a professional mediator. If the dispute is not resolved through mediation, the Board will decide the next appropriate step to take.

Confidentiality: Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation, comply with applicable law, and for Kroka to make a determination with regard to the reported violation.