(a) If, at any time, any classified civil service employee considers himself aggrieved (hereinafter "aggrieved employee") by another urban county government employee's alleged abuse of discretion in his treatment of the former (hereinafter "accused employee"), the aggrieved employee may seek to rectify the situation through the following grievance procedure:
(1) The aggrieved employee shall orally discuss his grievance with the accused employee or with the employee designated by his supervisor to handle grievances within ten (10) working days of the event or occurrence giving rise to the grievance. Every effort shall be made to reach a satisfactory settlement by informal adjustment. If the grievance is not settled in the initial discussion, the aggrieved employee may in writing, on the form designated by the chief administrative officer, formally present the grievance to the accused employee within five (5) working days after receiving the accused employee's oral answer. The written grievance shall set forth the nature of the alleged wrong, the date of the occurrence and the remedy sought. An employee who is presented with a written grievance shall give his written answer to the aggrieved employee within five (5) working days after receiving the grievance. If the grievance is not resolved at this stage, a copy of the grievance may be referred by the aggrieved employee in writing within five (5) working days after receipt of the accused employee's answer to his supervisor.
(2) Upon receipt of the written grievance, the supervisor shall notify his own supervisor of the grievance. The aggrieved employee's supervisor or his designated representative shall discuss the grievance with the aggrieved employee within ten (10) working days after receiving the appeal. If no settlement is reached at this meeting, the supervisor or his designated representative shall give a written answer to the employee within ten (10) working days following the meeting; however, this answer shall receive the prior written approval of his own supervisor. If the grievance is not settled at this stage of the proceedings, the aggrieved employee may refer the written grievance to the chief administrative officer within ten (10) working days after receipt of the answer from the supervisor or his designated representative.
(3) The chief administrative officer or his designated representative shall discuss the grievance with the aggrieved employee within ten (10) calendar days after receiving the appeal at a time and place designated by the chief administrative officer or his representative. The chief administrative officer's decision is final and shall be placed in writing within five (5) working days from the date of the meeting. A copy shall be sent to both the aggrieved and accused employees and the appropriate supervisors. If the accused employee is found to have abused his discretion, appropriate action will be taken to correct the error.
(b) The provisions of this section shall apply to all classified civil service employees below the level of division director. However, probationary employees shall have the right to appeal any grievances only through the second stage of this procedure; an in no case shall they have the right of appeal to the chief administrative officer.
(c) If at any time in this procedure the time limit imposed on the appropriate employee or supervisor is exceeded, the aggrieved employee may automatically appeal to the next level.
(d) Disputes concerning matters vested in the director and the commission by KRS 67A.210 et seq. and section 21-3 shall not be heard through the grievance procedure described herein. Employees may first consult the director and, if not satisfied, the commission concerning those matters.
(Ord. No. 139-78, § 1(21-49), 6-29-78)