Dictionary Definition of grievance
1: a cause of distress (such as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance“Her chief grievance was the sexual harassment by her boss.”
2: the formal expression of a grievance : COMPLAINT“…filed a grievance against her employer…
A Grievance is NOT
an ax to grind: A private or selfish motive, a personal stake; a grievance or complaint, especially a chronic one
a bone to pick: A complaint or grievance; a point of disagreement or a difference to settle.
Every Assembly will have disagreements. Every Assembly may face conflicts of interest. Every Assembly will face power struggles. Every Assembly will have grievances. Understanding the differences in how to handle these obstacles will go a long ways towards keeping peace in your Assembly and allow you to be truly productive.
WHAT YOU NEED
1. A Grievance Policy – the GIA Grievance Policy is the standard from which you will derive your policy.
2. A Code of Conduct – basic rules on how to treat each other, behave in meetings, etc. – make it brief.
3. A Membership Agreement – What you expect from your members
4. Membership Application where they agree to all of the above & sign a Resolution of One Accord.
5. Assembly ByLaws – The governing rules for your Assembly
NOT A GRIEVANCE
• Not getting your way is not a grievance
• Not getting a position you want is not a grievance
• Not liking the way someone thinks is not a grievance
• Not liking someone personally is not a basis for a grievance
• Not having your ideas used is not a basis for a grievance
• Missing a meeting because of personal needs is not a basis for a grievance
• more…(you get the idea).
IS A BASIS FOR GRIEVANCE
1. Violating the Resolution of One Accord
2. Violating the Membership Agreement
3. Violating the Bylaws
4. Violating the Code of Conduct
5. Failure to disclose a conflict of interest
6. Criminal Behavior of any kind
7. Failure to follow the Grievance Procedures
8. Demonstrable bias
9. Not performing and being responsible for your official responsibilities in the Assembly
10. Slander (with documentation), Defamation of Character, Libelous behavior with documentation.
11. more…
PGSD Policy
This policy applies to all Assemblies and Departments going forward as of October 1, 2021
Criminal actions will not be considered and must be referred directly to the GIA. The GIA must be notified of any criminal action related grievance.
Any grievance that is elevated above the Assembly where the grievance has occurred will be handled as follows:
If the grievance submitted does not have merit, ie. it is not an actionable grievance (see above), or has no irrefutable factual evidence, that Grievance will be dismissed and all Officers of the Assembly that were party to it’s elevation will be required to step down from their positions immediately. This applies at every level including committees, etc.
If the grievance has merit, recommendations will be given to both of the parties with the expectation that these recommendations will be voluntarily followed.
If the involved parties elect to not work out a solution based on the recommendations given, the PGSD or the GPRC Court of Dominion and Ethics will render and enforce a decision.
Persistent grievances that do not have merit that are filed by non-office holding members may result in that members suspension from voting on Assembly matters, or participation within the Assembly committees and restoration teams.
All grievances with merit and irrefutable factual evidence will be referred to the PGSD for moderation in an attempt to resolve the issue before a formal recommendation will be issued.
Download a Copy of the GIA Grievance PolicyClick Here Now
To file a grievanceClick Here Now