Counseling is not a disciplinary step and should not be used when employees are in direct violation of Department guidelines, policies, rules, and procedures. Counseling shall be regarded as a suitable step of retraining dealing with employees whom, by their actions have shown lack of understanding of Department guidelines, policies, rules, and procedures.
When it becomes necessary for a supervisor to counsel an employee, it shall be done in private in a manner which will not cause embarrassment to the employee. The employee shall be permitted to have an Association representative present during the counseling and the representative may speak on the employee's behalf. The employee shall be made aware that a record of such counseling is being maintained in the supervisor's files or records, and the employee shall be given a copy of the supervisor's notation. The employee shall acknowledge receipt of same by signing and dating the original copy.
All counseling records shall be removed from files after a period of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.