Notice and Initiation of Disciplinary Action. Where disciplinary action has not been determined by the end of the conference, normally within ten work days thereafter, the employee and the Chapter Representative shall be notified in writing of the results of the conference, extension of the investigation requested by either of the parties, and/or the disciplinary action to be taken or recommended. In all cases, disciplinary action, if forthcoming, shall be executed within 45 calendar days from the date of the disciplinary conference, excluding any approved leave, or absence due to workers’ compensation that makes the employee unavailable on the 45th or subsequent contiguous day(s), or any agreed upon extension. If the penalty is not executed within this time frame there will be no disciplinary action taken against the employee nor reference made to the matter in his/her personnel file. Formal notification to the employee with a copy to the MCO Chapter President of disciplinary action shall be in writing and shall spell out the charges and reasonable specifications. The employee shall also be provided a copy of the disciplinary conference summary, and may submit a document citing any objections or omissions to the summary content which will be retained with the summary. Where such notice involves loss of pay, it shall also advise the employee of the right to appeal. If presented to the employee personally, the employee shall sign for his/her copy; otherwise, the notice shall be sent to the employee by certified mail, return receipt requested, or other verifiable mail service, at the last address he/she provided the Employer. Upon notification to the employee that a disciplinary suspension will be assessed, the employee may exercise either of the following options in lieu of serving the suspension time, or to offset the imposition of discipline for a suspension without pay for investigation:
