• Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
  • Qualified sign language interpreters
  • Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
• Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
  • Qualified interpreters
  • Information written in other languages
• If you need these services, contact Katrina Hoffman.

Grievance Procedures Summary

The purpose of the grievance procedure is to provide a means for eligible persons to resolve PWSSC workplace-related concerns that appear to violate PWSSC policy or federal nondiscrimination laws with management. For the purposes of the grievance procedures, an eligible person is a PWSSC employee or program participant. All regular and temporary employees and program participants of the PWSSC may file a grievance under this section.

Definition of an Appeal

A grievance shall be determined as an alleged misapplication of PWSSC policies or federal nondiscrimination law. The procedure described here is intended to offer a dispute resolution mechanism to the employees and program participants of the PWSSC. Failure by the PWSSC to exactly follow this procedure shall not subject the PWSSC to a breach of contract claim.

Filing an Appeal

In order to qualify for processing under this section, a written appeal, clearly stating the facts giving rise to the appeal and the policy section at issue, must be filed no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which the aggrieved condition commenced. The preponderance of evidence will be applied during the investigation and analysis of the complaint.

Step One:

Any eligible person may present an appeal to his/her immediate supervisor or relevant program director for discussion. The supervisor or program director shall have five (5) regular working days in which to respond to the relief requested. Should the supervisor or program director fail to respond within this time limit or if the eligible person finds the response unsatisfactory, the appeal may be reduced to writing, clearly specifying the policy allegedly misapplied, and the relief requested. The appeal should be submitted to the President within five (5) regular working days from the time the first step answer was due or was given. The President should respond in writing within five (5) days of receipt and if the President fails to respond within this time, or if the eligible person finds the response unsatisfactory, or in cases where the President is the immediate supervisor, the eligible person may proceed to Step Two. Time limits may be extended for good cause.

Step Two:

The eligible person may submit a written appeal to the Grievance Committee if Step One has not resolved the issue. The Grievance Committee shall be comprised of: the Board chair; the Governance Committee chair; and a third board member as approved by the Board Chair. The Grievance Committee shall convene a meeting wherein statements shall be taken from the President, the appealing eligible person and the appealing eligible person’s immediate supervisor or program director, as applicable, either separately or jointly at the discretion of the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee may also request statements from other employees or program participants. The Committee may refuse to grant the eligible person's request for appeal when the issues involved are minor in nature or involve evaluations or judgments by management unless they appear to be contrary to policy, malicious, or vindictive. The Grievance Committee shall have twenty-five (25) regular working days in which to respond to the eligible person in writing concerning the relief requested and the Committee’s final decision, including a description of the investigative process and a determination of whether discrimination was found if it was alleged. In all instances, a thorough investigation will take place, giving careful consideration to the rights and dignity of the people involved with the intention of issuing a prompt and fair resolution of complaints.