Washington Administrative Code › Title 132I - Highline College › Chapter 132I-310 - Nonacademic complaints against college employees › Section 132I-310-030 - Complaint process procedures

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Step 1: Discuss complaint with staff
			 member. The complainant should discuss the complaint informally and thoroughly
			 with the staff member to whom the complaint is directed. Both parties should
			 openly discuss the complaint/concern and attempt to understand the other's
			 perspectives, explore alternatives, and arrive at a satisfactory resolution to
			 the complaint. If the complainant and staff member are unsuccessful at finding
			 a resolution, if either of the parties is unwilling to meet, or if the
			 complainant is dissatisfied with the complaint resolution, they should then
			 move to step 2.
(2) Step 2: Express
			 complaint in writing. Within ten business days of meeting or attempting to meet
			 with the staff member, and the issue remains unresolved, the complainant shall
			 draft a written complaint and forward the written complaint to the staff member
			 and the staff member's immediate supervisor.
(3) Step 3: Supervisor conference. Upon
			 receiving the complainant's written complaint, the staff member's immediate
			 supervisor will ask the staff member for a written response. The supervisor may
			 request supporting materials from either the staff member or complainant. At
			 this step, the supervisor's primary goal is to facilitate a resolution of the
			 matter between the parties. To that end, at his or her discretion, the
			 supervisor may hold a conference with the involved parties, may meet with each
			 individually, or may communicate a proposed resolution(s) in writing. Within
			 fifteen business days of the date the written complaint was received, the
			 supervisor shall provide a written copy of his/her decision to each involved
			 party.
(4) Step 4: Executive
			 conference. If the decision of the immediate supervisor does not resolve the
			 complaint to the satisfaction of the complainant, the executive director of
			 human resources or his or her designee shall, on request of the complainant,
			 convene a conference of all affected supervisors within ten business days. All
			 written statements and supporting materials from involved parties will be
			 provided to the executive director of human resources or his or her designee
			 prior to the conference. The executive director of human resources or his or
			 her designee and the affected supervisors may opt to meet, individually or
			 collectively, with the involved parties. Written materials will be retained in
			 the human resources office. If after discussion, mediation, and review of
			 materials at the conference, the involved parties are unable to find a mutually
			 acceptable resolution, the executive director of human resources or his or her
			 designee shall within five business days render a written decision on the
			 complaint and will provide copies to all involved parties. The decision of the
			 executive director of human resources or his or her designee will be
			 final.
Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				  28B.50.140. 12-16-111, §
										132I-310-030, filed 8/1/12,
				  effective 9/1/12.