A. General: A grievance may be defined to include, but is not limited to, any dispute or difference of opinion on such matters as employee-supervisor relations, working conditions and facilities, granting of leave time and duty assignments.
B. Grievance Process:
1. Informal: If an employee has a grievance or wishes to complain, every effort should be made to resolve the problem by informal means at the lowest possible level, i.e., discussing the problem with the immediate supervisor. This should be done within three (3) working days after occurrence of, or knowledge of, the grievable action. Where a decision or resolution is required, it should be made and the employee informed, in writing, within ten (10) working days after the problem has been discussed.
2. Statement Requesting Review: If the employee is not satisfied with the decision of the supervisor, a written statement requesting a review of the supervisor's decision should be submitted to the Mayor within five (5) working days of receipt of the written decision to discuss the situation and attempt to resolve the problem.
3. Mayor's Decision: The Mayor should meet with the employee and supervisor to discuss the grievance and should inform the employee of the final decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the employee's request for a review. (Ord. 89-01, 4-18-1989)
4. Mayor As Supervisor:
a. In the event that an employee who has a grievance or wishes to complain is supervised by the Mayor, then and in that event, if the employee is not satisfied with the decision of the supervisor/Mayor, a written statement requesting a review of the supervisor/Mayor's decision shall be submitted to the Town Council within five (5) working days of the receipt of the written decision. The Town Council shall meet with the employee and the supervisor/Mayor to discuss the grievance and should inform the employee of the final decision within ten (10) working days of receipt of the employee's request for review.
b. The Mayor, by virtue of his involvement with the complaining employee, shall be disqualified from participating in the appeal process as a member of the Town Council. In the Mayor's stead, the Vice Mayor shall act as the presiding officer over the Town Council's discussions and shall have voting privileges in the event of a tie vote by the Town Council. (1999 Code)