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Grievance Resolution Policy

• 1. Purpose

Grievances arising within the University of about the University’s processes shall be dealt with efficiently and in a manner which affords natural justice to all parties.

2. Definitions

Advocate
A person who supports the cause of another and acts on his or her behalf according to that person’s directions

Appeal
A request for a consideration of a decision

Complaint – Informal
For the purposes of this Policy a complaint remains informal unless it is submitted in writing to the Academic Registrar

Grievance
Any real or perceived ground for complaint including perceived racial or sexual harassment; discrimination on the grounds of disability,

race, religious belief, political viewpoint, sex, martial status or pregnancy; learning related issues or any other unfair or improper treatment

Mediator
A person who assists disputants (at their request) in an attempt to reconcile their conflict.  A mediator remains neutral and makes no assessment of the facts or rights of a case

Natural justice
For the purposes of this Policy, the requirements of natural justice are taken to include opportunity to be heard, absence of bias and expeditious handling of complaints

Procedural fairness
Procedural fairness is another term for “natural justice” as defined above

Victimization
For the purposes of this Policy, victimization is defined as acts or omissions which cause a person to suffer because she or he made a complaint

3. Policy Statement

• • There shall be a Grievance Resolution Protocol which shall give effect to this policy in a manner consistent with the requirements of   relevant legislation and Curtin Policies.
• • Complainants shall not be victimized

4. Scope of Policy

• • This Policy covers all grievances arising within the University, or about the University’s processes
• • This policy does not replace existing policies and procedures which provide formal avenues for appeal against decisions of the University
• • When a person initiates grievance action outside the University, any action taken under this Policy shall cease
• • The Academic Registrar shall be responsible for the implementation of the Grievance Policy
• • Key areas of responsibility within this include:
• - Monitoring and control of the grievance process
• - Providing education (training) and consultative support relating to grievances, in particular to Directors of Schools and Heads of   Departments
• - Providing pro-active advice on necessary change and development within the University the responsibility of University managers to   observe legislation and University policies and procedures

5. Objectives/Principles

• To provide for fair, effective and open organizational response to grievances

• • To minimize personal and organizational dysfunction arising from unresolved grievances