Staff Grievance Procedure

It is the policy of the University of Arkansas to encourage fair, efficient, and equitable solutions for problems arising out of the employment relationship. Therefore, this policy has been adopted to provide an avenue of resolving grievances for all staff employees. Different grievance policies exist for individuals appointed as faculty.

The staff grievance procedure is distinct from the university’s complaint procedures for employees.  Matters that fall under these review procedures and/or any disciplinary action that occurs as a result, may not be reviewed under the grievance procedure.

The grievance process described in this policy is an internal process, intended to encourage informal dispute resolution and, when necessary, allow for structured, but non-adversarial resolution of disagreements.  Accordingly, staff who utilize the grievance process are free to consult with legal counsel at their own expense, but attorneys and other representatives are not permitted to attend or participate in the grievance process.

 All participants in the grievance process are expected to maintain the confidentiality of these personnel matters, provided that disclosure is permitted to university personnel with official responsibility or need to know or otherwise as may be required by law or university policy.

Definitions

Grievant: All appointed employees of the university who are not otherwise eligible to utilize the faculty grievance process.

Non-appointed employees (such as hourly employees) may consult with the Grievance Officer, but are expected to address issues through their supervisory chain. 

Grievance:  

Unless excluded below, a grievance is defined to include the following:

1. an alleged misinterpretation, misapplication, or violation of a specific provision of university policy that materially affects the Grievant’s terms and conditions of employment; and/or,
2. bullying: includes, but not limited to, repeated and ongoing acts of intimidation, humiliation, or ridicule either written, verbal, electronic, or physical, against the Grievant that materially interferes with the work environment; and/or
3. terminations which are deemed to be “terminations-for-cause” as defined in Section 10.4 of the Staff Handbook.

Excluded from the grievance process are: 

1. issues related to wages, salary or benefits matters involving reappointment, performance evaluation, reassignment of duties, or demotions or promotions, that do not concern a claimed failure by the university to follow established policy;
2. alternative work arrangements or scheduling;
3. classification of positions;
4. separation of employment (whether voluntary or involuntary) except “terminations for cause”;  
5. retrenchment of employees pursuant to Board Policy 405.5;
6. falsification of application materials; and/or
7. personality disputes.

If you would like to file a grievance, please click the following link: File a Grievance.  If you need an alternative (written) form to file a complaint, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Office at (479) 575-4019 or titlevii@uark.edu. 

University policy prohibits any form of retaliation against persons who initiates or participates in the grievance procedure.  While such retaliation is prohibited, the filing of a grievance shall not prevent an employment action taken for bona-fide, non-retaliatory reasons that are independent of the filing of the grievance.  Employees who have initiated a grievance are responsible to perform their job duties and comply with all university policies, and the filing of a grievance does not preclude these obligations.

For the complete text of the staff grievance procedure policy, please refer to: 
Staff Grievance Procedure