HR-502 Grievance Procedure

Summary

The University recognizes the right of employees to express their grievances and to seek a solution concerning disagreements arising from working relationships, working conditions, employment practices or differences of interpretation of policy which might arise between the University and its employees. In addition, grievances may be filed alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. This shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America. A regular employee may process a grievance regarding any of these matters upon completion of his/her probationary period. A probationary or non-regular employee may process a grievance concerning issues of prohibited discrimination or application/interpretation of University policies and procedures.

Grievance Definition

Any complaint by an employee concerning any aspect of the employment relationship other than merit increases, performance evaluations and job reclassifications, unless such exceptions include an allegation of prohibited discrimination or other illegality.

Procedures

Should an employee or the employee's representative feel, after oral discussion with the immediate supervisor, that employee's rights under University policy have been violated, the employee may originate a grievance within ten (10) days of the date the alleged grievable act occurred by presenting the facts in writing to the proper supervisor, department head, or designated representative of the University with a copy to the Campus Grievance Representative. The decision of such official shall be made in writing to the employee within ten (10) days after receipt of grievance. For an alleged act of prohibited discrimination, an employee has a 180-day filing period.

Should the employee decide the reply is unsatisfactory, the employee or the employee's representative shall, within five (5) days, submit an appeal to the Campus Grievance Representative. The Campus Grievance Representative or designate shall respond in writing to the grievance within five (5) days from the date of the review. If the grievance is resolved, no further action will be necessary.

If the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, the employee or the employee's representative may appeal within five (5) days after receipt of response to the University Grievance Representative for the purpose of reviewing the grievance. The decision of the University Grievance Representative or designate shall be made in writing to the employee and/or employee's representative within five (5) days after the date of the review.

Should the employee decide that the reply of the University Grievance Representative or designate is unsatisfactory, the matter may be appealed within five (5) days of receipt of the response through the University Grievance Representative to a grievance committee which shall be established: the employee or employee's representative may designate one (1) member; the University through its Grievance Representative, with the approval of the Chancellor of the campus, shall appoint one (1) member; and the selection of the third member shall be made by these two (2) members. If mutually agreeable, the two (2) designated members may select the third member from a list recommended by either and approved by both. Otherwise, selection will be made from a list of committee members supplied by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and maintained by UM Human Resources. The selection will be made by reducing the list in alternate turns. The toss of a coin shall determine the elimination sequence.

A decision of the grievance committee may be reached upon the concurrence of any two (2) of the three (3) members. A hearing will be scheduled as soon as feasible after selection of the third committee member. The grievance committee shall keep a complete record of the hearing before it, including any exhibits or papers submitted to it in connection with the hearing and a complete record of any testimony taken. Upon the rendering of its decision, the complete record shall be filed in the Office of the President of the University and shall be available to the employee, employee's representative and the University Grievance Representative. Any cost of the third party on the committee and cost of transcript (if requested) shall be paid equally by the employee and the University.

In the event the decision of the grievance committee is unsatisfactory to either the employee or the University Grievance Representative, either may, within five (5) days after receipt of the decision of the grievance committee, file a written notice of appeal to the Board of Curators by delivering such notice of appeal to the President of the University. Upon the receipt of the notice of appeal, the President of the University shall cause the record of the hearing before the grievance committee to be filed with the Board of Curators of the University, who shall review such record. The decision of the Board of Curators, upon such review, will be final.

Time Limits

The prescribed time limits may be extended by mutual agreement whenever necessary in order for these provisions to be implemented. The interpretation of "days" within this section is to be normal workdays (Monday through Friday) exclusive of official University holidays.

University Grievance Representative

Erik Smetana
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources
Division of Human Resources
1000 W. Nifong Blvd
Bldg 7, Ste 300
Columbia, Missouri 65211
(573) 884-7003

Designated Campus Grievance Representatives

University of Missouri System
Veronica Schultz
Employee & Labor Relations
People Strategies Group
1000 W. Nifong Blvd
Bldg 7, Ste 300
Columbia, Missouri 65211
(573) 884-7003

Columbia
Cindy Cover
Senior Human Resources Manager
Human Resource Services (MU)
1095 Virginia Avenue, Room 101
Garage #7
Columbia, Missouri 65211
(573) 882-0652

Hospital and Clinics
Bertt Matthews
Director of Compensation
Human Resources
University of Missouri Healthcare
1 Hospital Drive
DC059.20
Columbia, MO 65212
(573) 884-4220

Kansas City
Jill Reyes
Director
Human Resources
226 Administration Center
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64110
(816) 235-1621

Rolla
Randy Stoll
Director, Business Services
210 Parker Hall
Rolla, Missouri 65401
(573) 341-4122

St. Louis
James Hertel
Executive Director, Human Resources
222 General Services Building
St. Louis, Missouri 63121
(314) 516-5805

Date Created: 9/26/97

Last Updated: 08/26/16