Report a Council Grievance
Dictionary Definition of grievance:
1: a cause of distress (such as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance
“Her chief grievance was the sexual harassment by her boss.”
2: the formal expression of a grievance : COMPLAINT “…filed a grievance against her employer…”
A Grievance is not
an ax to grind: A private or selfish motive, a personal stake; a grievance or complaint, especially a chronic one.
a bone to pick: A complaint or grievance; a point of disagreement or a difference to settle.
Every Council will have disagreements. Every Council may face conflicts of interest. Every Council will face power struggles. Every Council will have grievances. Understanding the differences in how to handle these obstacles will go a long ways towards keeping peace in your Council and allow you to be truly productive.
Not a Grievance:
- Not getting your way is not a grievance
- Not getting a position you want is not a grievance
- Not liking the way someone thinks is not a grievance
- Not liking someone personally is not a basis for a grievance
- Not having your ideas used is not a basis for a grievance
- Missing a meeting because of personal needs is not a basis for a grievance
- more…(you get the idea).
What is a basis for a Grievance:
- Violating the Resolution of One Accord
- Violating the Membership Agreement
- Violating the Bylaws or Council guidelines
- Violating the Code of Conduct
- Failure to disclose a conflict of interest
- Criminal Behavior of any kind
- Failure to follow the Grievance Procedures
- Demonstrable bias
- Not performing and being responsible for your official responsibilities in the Assembly
- Slander (with documentation), Defamation of Character, Libelous behavior (with documentation)
- more…you get the idea