Department Head Stage. In the event an employee or the Union wishes to appeal an unsatisfactory decision at Step 1, the appeal must be presented to the department head within ten (10) days from the receipt of the Step 1 decision. The department head, Commissioner of Human Resources or their designees, shall hold an informal hearing within ten days after receiving said appeal. The employee and Union representative may appear at the hearing and present oral or written statements or arguments. The department head, Commissioner of Human Resources, or their designees, shall issue a written decision to the employee or the Union by the end of the tenth day after close of said hearing.
Department Head Stage. An employee or the Union shall present the grievance orally or in writing to the employee’s department head within ten (10) days after the grievance occurs. Said department head forthwith upon receiving such grievance shall make a good faith effort to resolve same including, as appropriate, discussions with the employee, investigation, and consultation with the Commissioner of Personnel or his/her designee. Said department head shall reply to the employee or the Union, in writing, within ten (10) days of the submission of such grievance. If the matter is satisfactorily resolved, the employee, supervisor, or appointing authority and Union representative, if any, shall each sign a memorandum showing the nature of the grievance and stating that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. A copy of this memorandum shall immediately be sent to the Commissioner of Personnel. Said memorandum shall remain filed permanently in the employee’s file.
