Section 31: Academic Staff: Part VI Grievance Procedures Purpose of Part VI


  1. The aim of this Part is to settle or redress individual grievances promptly, fairly and so far as may be, within the faculty, school, department or other relevant area by methods acceptable to all parties.

Application

  1. The grievances to which this Part applies are ones by members of the academic staff concerning their appointments or employment where those grievances relate -

    (a) to matters affecting themselves as individuals, or;
    (b) to matters affecting their personal dealings or relationships with other staff of the University, not being matters for which express provision is made elsewhere in this Statute.

Exclusions and Informal Procedures

  1. (1) If other remedies within the faculty, school, department or other relevant area have been exhausted the member of the academic staff may raise the matter with the Head of the faculty, school, department or other relevant area.

    (2) If the member of the academic staff is dissatisfied with the result of an approach under sub-paragraph (1) or if the grievance directly concerns the Dean of the faculty or Head of the school, department or other relevant area, the member may apply in writing to the Vice-Chancellor for redress of the grievance.

    (3) If it appears to the Vice-Chancellor that the matter has been finally determined under Part III, IV or V or that the grievance is trivial or invalid, he or she may dismiss it summarily, or take no action upon it. If it so appears to the Vice-Chancellor he or she shall inform the member and the Grievance Committee accordingly.

    (4) If the Vice-Chancellor is satisfied that the subject matter of the grievance could properly be considered with (or form the whole or any part of) -

    (a) a complaint under Part III;
    (b) a determination under Part IV; or
    (c) an appeal under Part V
    he or she shall defer action upon it under this Part until the relevant complaint, determination or appeal has been heard or the time for instituting it has passed and he or she shall notify the member and the Grievance Committee accordingly.

    (5) If the Vice-Chancellor does not reject the complaint under sub-paragraph (3) or if he or she does not defer action upon it under sub-paragraph (4) he or she shall decide whether it would be appropriate, having regard to the interests of justice and fairness, for him or her to seek to dispose of it informally. If he or she so decides he or she shall notify the member and proceed accordingly.

    Grievance Committee Procedure

    1. If the grievance has not been disposed of informally under paragraph 33(5), the Vice-Chancellor shall refer the matter to the Grievance Committee for consideration.

    2. The Grievance Committee to be appointed by the Council shall comprise:

      (a) a Chair; and
      (b) one member of the Council not being a person employed by the University; and
      (c) one member of the academic staff nominated by the Senate.

    Procedure in connection with determinations and right to representation

    1. The procedure in connection with the consideration and determination of grievances shall be determined in Ordinances in such a way as to ensure that the aggrieved person and any person against whom the grievance lies shall have the right to be heard at a hearing and to be accompanied by a friend or representative.

    Notification of decisions

    1. The Committee shall inform the Council whether the grievance is or is not well-found and if it is well-found the Committee shall make such proposals for the redress of the grievance as it sees fit.