(A) The procedure outlined below shall be used to resolve any controversy or differences that arise between a non-bargaining unit employee and the city with respect to the interpretation or application of this chapter.
(1) Step 1. An aggrieved employee shall first take up his or her grievance orally with his or her immediate supervisor. If the complaint is not resolved informally, the grievance shall proceed to Step 2 of the grievance procedure within seven days of the informal hearing.
(2) Step 2. The grievant shall present the grievance to the division head or department head in writing in detail within seven days of the informal hearing, stating the violation alleged and the section of this chapter alleged to have been violated, a summary of the results of the informal discussion, and the remedy sought. The division head or department director shall review the grievance, hold a grievance hearing, and render a decision within seven days after receipt of the grievance. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved at this step of the procedure, the grievance and all pertinent material relevant to the grievance shall be submitted to the next step of the grievance procedure.
(3) Step 3. The City Manager or his or her designated representative shall review the grievance and conduct such meetings as are necessary to reach a fair and equitable solution to the problem, and render his or her judgment within seven working days of receipt.
(B) No employee shall be penalized in any manner for instituting an appeal under these procedures. There shall be no grievance appeal procedure above the City Manager, and the opinion of the City Manager shall be final and binding.
(C) Grievance settlements by city supervisors or the City Manager shall in no case change the wording and intent of the Charter or the wording and intent of any active ordinance passed by the City Council.
(1974 Code, § 37.10) (Ord. 12-94, passed 5-16-1994; Am. Ord. 07-02, passed 3-4-2002; Am. Ord. 40-15, passed 10-5-2015)