620.02: Employee Complaints

This policy is intended to cover employee complaints related to discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, ethical concerns, and other legal-related matters against any person associated with Enterprise State Community College. This policy does not cover general workplace grievances, conduct, or professionalism, which are addressed by Policy 620.01 or complaints of sexual harassment which are covered in Policy 620.03. This policy does not apply and cannot be used against a President.

Any employee who believes he/she has been subjected to or observed: discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, harassment in forms other than sexual, hostile work environment, ethical violations or similar concerns, criminal acts, ACCS, College, or Chancellor policy or procedure violations, or other legal-related issues, by any person associated within Enterprise State Community College (other than a President), shall report the action immediately, and in no event less than ten (10) calendar days following the event, to the Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources Director, or President. In conjunction with the report, the employee shall provide a written statement, as well as any evidence the employee believes substantiates the complaint, and shall be required to assist in an appropriate investigation.

The College shall designate an appropriate person to review and investigate the matter and may engage legal counsel for this purpose, as determined by the President. This review and investigation shall be conducted promptly and within 45 calendar days if practical, but not later than 60 days, unless this period is extended by agreement of the complaining and responding parties. The President or his/her designee shall issue a written response to the reporting employee within 15 calendar days if practical, but not later than 30 days unless this period is extended by agreement of the complaining and responding parties; once the review and investigation has been completed, and this written response shall be final.

An employee who brings a good faith complaint under this policy shall not be retaliated against in any manner. Any employee who retaliates against an employee for making a good faith complaint under this policy will be disciplined.