Common use of – Initial Filing of Grievance and Department Head Response Clause in Contracts

– Initial Filing of Grievance and Department Head Response. The party/parties, who believes that he/she has a grievance relating to the interpretation and application of the express terms of this Agreement, or for disciplinary matters as defined in Section 1 of this Article, shall reduce the grievance to writing utilizing a standardized format and submit it to the employee's Department Head within ten (10) working days after the affected employee first knew or should have known of the contract violation, or within ten (10) working days from the date of the disciplinary action. Meeting with the aggrieved party/parties in accordance with Step 1 and/or Step 2 of the grievance process as defined in this Article shall not be construed to mean the County agrees the aggrieved party has an actual grievable issue and shall not be evidence of same at any subsequent hearing. A grievance relating to the interpretation and application of the express terms of the Agreement shall cite the violated Article and Section of the Agreement and shall set forth the details of the violation. If the grievance is based upon a disciplinary matter, as defined in Section 1 of this Article, the notice of discipline, along with all ensuing meetings and actions, shall follow the requirements of this Article. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of said grievance, the Department Head or designee, a Human Resources representative or liaison, an Association representative, and the aggrieved party/parties will meet to try to resolve the grievance. If desired, both parties may choose an additional representative who may attend the meeting. The Department Head or designee will provide at least three (3) working days notice of said meeting. The notice must include: the date, time, and place of the meeting. If the grievance is not resolved at the meeting, the Department Head or designee shall have five (5) working days from the date of the meeting to respond in writing to the grievance.