(a) If at any time, any individual holding a position covered by this chapter considers himself aggrieved (hereinafter "aggrieved individual") by another urban county government officer or employee's alleged abuse of discretion in his treatment of the former (hereinafter "accused individual"), the aggrieved individual may seek to rectify the situation through the following grievance procedure:
(1) The aggrieved individual shall orally discuss his grievance with the accused individual or with the individual 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 individual may, in writing, on the form designated by the chief administrative officer, formally present the grievance to the accused individual within five (5) working days after receiving the accused individual'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 individual who is presented with a written grievance shall give his answer to the aggrieved individual 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 individual, in writing, within five (5) working days after receipt of the accused individual's answer to his supervisor.
(2) Upon receipt of the written grievance, the supervisor shall notify his own supervisor of the grievance. The aggrieved individual's supervisor or his designated representative shall discuss the grievance with the aggrieved individual 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 individual 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 individual 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 individual 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 individuals and the appropriate supervisors. If the accused individual 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 individuals below the level of division director.
(c) If at any time in this procedure the time limit imposed on the appropriate individual or supervisor is exceeded, the aggrieved individual may automatically appeal to the next level.
(Ord. No. 230-83, § 1, 11-22-83; Ord. No. 060-2022 , § 20, 7-5-22)
Charter references(s)—Unclassified civil service, § 9.06.