I.  PURPOSE
 

To provide policy and procedural guidance for processing and handling grievances filed by employees of the Los Angeles County-Department of Mental Health (LAC-DMH or Department).
 

II.  DEFINITIONS
 

Grievance: A complaint by an employee alleging inequitable treatment resulting from a management action or lack of action on some aspect of employment status or working condition within the control of the Department Head.

Group Grievance: A complaint by a number of employees within the Department or unit alleging inequitable treatment resulting from a management action or lack of action on some aspect of employment status or working condition within the control of the Department Head.
 

III.  POLICY
 

It is the intent of LAC-DMH to resolve grievances filed by employees of the Department promptly and equitably without discrimination, coercion, restraint, or reprisal against any employee who may submit a grievance.

An employee may present his or her grievance to management on County time. An employee may also use County time for preparation of grievances and the development of materials and information for use at a grievance meeting.

An employee has the right to select any person or organization to represent him or her in a formal grievance meeting. Representation on individual grievances shall be limited to one representative. The employee is required to be present at all grievance meetings.

The supervisor or manager in the employee's chain of command has the responsibility to inform an employee of any limitation to fully resolve a grievance, supply the employee with the necessary information to process the grievance to the proper agency or authority, and discuss the employee's grievance with the employee, upon the employee's request, at a mutually satisfactory time.

If a Deputy Director is required to hear a grievance, the grievance will only be heard at the Third Level.
 

IV.  PROCEDURES
 

Procedures - Employee Grievances
 

V.  AUTHORITIES
 

VI.  ATTACHMENT