Investigation\complaints Flashcards
The purpose of policy 6.5 investigation/complaints
(establish a guide for behavior and performance, so employees behave)
To establish a guide pertaining to employee conduct, performance, and responsibilities so that all employees conduct themselves according to the rules of good behavior and good conduct.
In situations where employees do not adhere to expectations it is the responsibility of ______ to take ______ ______ outlined in policy ___#__ _______ / _______
Supervisors
necessary action
6.5
investigations / complaints
If a disciplinary case is not readily apparent policy 6.5 provides
A general process to be followed when the facts of the case can only be determined through an investigation
Deviations to policy 6.5 can be authorized by
The fire chief or their designee
Degrees of corrective action are generally _______ and ensure the employee has an opportunity to?
-progressive
-correct his or her performance
Progression of verbal warnings, written counseling, reprimands, suspension, and termination have….
No set standards
The objective of any disciplinary action is to
improve or correct performance, efficiency, and/or conduct
documenting necessary conversations when performance issues are noted by company officers is
encouraged and expected
All letters of guidance shall be forwarded to
HR director and the assistant chief
If the infraction has the potential to necessitate anything more formal than a LOG the matter should be
Referred through the chain of command to the assistant chief
If a disciplinary matter is referred to the assistant chief he will determine the need for
Investigation and make appropriate assignments
The district sees complaints as
An opportunity for the district to improve operations, public perception, or the services we provide
The district will accept and document all complaints alleging
employee misconduct, dissatisfaction with district policy, practice, or service
The district will accept, document, and investigate all complaints to ensure complaints ….6
-Are documented and investigated in a reasonable and consistent manner
-determine the underlying facts the complaints are based on
-identify areas of misunderstanding
-identify personel whos behavior or performance needs corrected and supervisory intervention
-protect personnel from false complaints
-identify policies, training, practices in need of evaluation or improvement
Initiation of a complaint is not incumbent on
The cooperation of the complaining party
The complainant will be listed as the district if
2
-The complaining party is unable or refuses to cooperate
-There is no identifiable complainant but the information known to the officer satisfies the districts definition of a complaint
Sources of complaints are listed in 6.5 as
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-individual aggrieved person
-third party who observes or learns of a problem
-anonymous sources
-district employee
-district chain of command
-non-district source
-civil claim or suit
Handling Complaints (a)
-whenever a non officer receives a complaint the employee shall immediately
2
-Immediately notify their supervisor
-ensure follow up is not delayed
Handling Complaints (a)
-whenever a non officer receives a complaint and the employees supervisor is not immediately available the employee shall
1
-notify another officer or officer within the chain of command
Handling Complaints (b)
-whenever a non officer receives a complaint and the employees supervisor is not immediately available, another officer in the chain of command, or the party refuses to wait the employee shall
3
-document the complaint
-gather available information about the complaint
-get a name and contact information of the complaining party
Handling Complaints (c)
Upon receiving and documenting a complaint in which an officer is unavailable, the employee receiving the complaint shall
ensure the information gathered is given to an officer as soon as possible during the employees shift
Factors to be considered when determining where to start in the progression of discipline (verbal warning, written counseling, reprimands, suspension, and termination)
4
-Seriousness of the offense
-How many offenses are involved
-Time interval and employees response to prior disciplinary action
-Previous work history of the employee
A letter of guidance is (definition)
To document necessary conversations with employees when a performance issue is noted
A letter of guidance is to be considered ______ and is generated when _______ or the infraction is _____.
-Corrective
-Counsel is necessary
-Minor in nature
The complaint initiating process is not incumbent on the cooperation of
The complaining party
Handling Complaints (b)
The minimum information gathered by a non-officer should include
2
-Name and contact number
-Nature of the complaint
Handling Complaints (d)
An employee may alternatively contact the HR director and/or the assistant chief when
the employee believes
2
-Members in the chain of command may be involved in the misconduct
-Members involved may attempt to cover up the misconduct
Employees are responsible to, whenever they become aware of misconduct or violations of department policies, rules, or regulations notify
3
-Immediately notify their supervisor
-If supervisor is unavailable, another officer in the chain of command
-HR director and/or the assistant chief (If concerns exist)
Officers Responsibilities
An officer has responsibilities anytime they become aware of
5
-A complaint
-Employee misconduct
-Unreported Conduct that violates district policies, rules, regulations
-A person requesting to make a complaint
-An incident that would likely result in a complaint or investigation