Postdoctoral fellows/scholars who have questions or concerns regarding an allegation or compliant may contact their local HR representative to discuss.

Section 1. Grievance Definition

A grievance shall be an allegation or complaint involving an actual or perceived harm or injury within the scope of the employment relationship and/or working conditions as described in these standards. In no event shall the grievance procedure be construed to modify a covered employee’s temporary at-will status with the University.

Section 2: Rights of Grievant

  1. No Retaliation. No retaliatory action shall be taken against a grievant because they utilized these procedures in good faith or participated as a witness in a proceeding.
  2. Grievance Preparation. Principal investigators are encouraged to provide the grievant(s) with a reasonable opportunity to prepare for grievance meetings.
  3. Support Person. The grievant may be accompanied at any step of this procedure by a witness observer or support person. If the support person is a staff member, this person will be released from duty without loss of pay to attend the meeting during scheduled work hours. Such release time shall be scheduled with their supervisor so as not to interfere with their normal work responsibilities. 
Step One

The Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow will submit a written grievance form (see appendix) to the Senior HR Representative and departmental/program administrator/executive officer. The written grievance form must be submitted within fourteen (14) calendar days of discovery of the event causing the actual or perceived harm or injury. The above-specified time limits for submission may be extended upon mutual written consent of the parties. In no event shall a grievance be filed more than twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the event giving rise to the alleged harm or injury. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the written grievance, the supervisor and/or principal investigator will meet with the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow to review the basis for the grievance and whether a mutually acceptable resolution may be reached. If a mutually acceptable resolution is not reached, the supervisor and/or principal investigator will provide a written grievance response/decision within fourteen (14) calendar days to the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow, Senior HR Representative, and departmental/program administrator/executive officer. If additional time for the review is required, the departmental reviewing party will notify the postdoc of the new date by which the decision will be made. If the departmental DEO/Director is directly involved in the issue in question, the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow should proceed to Step Two.

See Appendix D: Postdoctoral Grievance Form

Step Two

If the issue is not resolved at the departmental level, or if the department’s DEO/Director is directly involved in the issue, the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow will forward the Postdoctoral Grievance Form to the human resources representative for the college in which they are employed within fourteen (14) calendar days of the response and will include documentation of all steps that have already been taken. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of the receipt of the grievance, the collegiate associate dean or designee responsible for postdoctoral education will meet with the parties involved and review the arguments and facts. Upon completion of the review, not to exceed fourteen (14) calendar days, the collegiate associate dean or their designee will provide a written decision/rationale and/or resolution. If additional time for the review is required, the collegiate reviewer will notify all concerned parties of the new date by which the decision will be made.

Step Three

If the issue is not resolved at Step Two, the grievant may appeal the collegiate decision by submitting a written rationale to the Graduate College Dean and the Chief Human Resources Officer/Associate Vice President or their designee that details the reasons for the appeal within fourteen (14) calendar days of the decision. The Graduate College Dean and CHRO/AVP or their designee will respond in writing within thirty (30) calendar days. If additional time for the review is required, the Graduate College Dean will notify all parties of the new date by which the decision will be made. The Graduate College Dean will make the final institutional decision.