Grievances
Subd. 1: A member who reasonably believes he or she has been adversely affected by a
decision or policy made by HNC may file a grievance with the Board of Directors through the
Board Chair or the Secretary. HNC will make a complaint form available that includes
instructions on how to file the grievance. The grievance must be addressed to the Board
Chair and mailed to the HNC office via certified US Mail. The grievance must contain:
- A short statement of the facts.
- The grounds for the complaint.
- Identification of the person or persons and or policy grieved.
Grievances must be received by the Board of Directors within one (1) year of the alleged
decision.
Subd 2: Receipt of Grievances. Within fourteen (14) business days of receiving the grievance,
the Board Chair must form a grievance committee. Within five (5) business days of the
committee’s formation, the committee must arrange a location, date and time for the
grievant to present his or her complaint to the committee. The committee must make a
finding and recommendation in writing within sixty (60) days after the meeting with the
grievant. The committee’s findings and recommendation must be presented to the Board at
the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The committee’s recommendation passes upon
a vote from the majority of the Board.
Subd 3: Grievance Committee. The committee should consist of three (3) Board members
who are reasonably free of any conflicts of interest. The committee will use its best efforts to
be fair, impartial, and to collect relevant evidence. Principles of due process will apply,
including proper notice to the grieved and an adequate opportunity to respond or to be
heard. The committee must recommend to the Board whether to sustain or not sustain the
grievance and recommend specific actions, if any, that should be taken.