A. The Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission shall establish standard internal agency grievance resolution procedures for classified state employees. The procedures shall encourage prompt and equitable resolution of grievances at the lowest possible level within the employing agency. Each appointing authority shall either use the procedures established by the Commission or adopt other procedures which address the specific needs of their agencies. All procedures shall contain the minimum requirements established pursuant to this section.

B. The appointing authority of each agency shall furnish to each classified employee a copy of the internal agency grievance resolution procedure utilized by the agency.

C. No employee shall be disciplined or otherwise prejudiced in his or her employment for exercising his or her rights under the internal agency grievance resolution procedure.

D. Internal agency grievances may include, but are not limited to, any direct or indirect form of discipline, reduction-in-force, work assignments, withholding of work, classification, reclassification, promotion, leave, performance appraisal, length of service, overtime, compensatory time, transfers, or any alleged violation of the Oklahoma Personnel Act or merit rules.

E. The internal agency grievance resolution procedures established by the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission shall contain the following minimum requirements:

1. Procedures encouraging resolution of disputes within the agency quickly, informally and at the lowest possible level;

2. Procedures requiring prompt resolution of the internal agency grievance within established time periods; and

3. Procedures guaranteeing the employee the right to be represented by a person of his own choosing at each step of the procedure, except the initial informal discussion with his immediate supervisor.

F. The Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of subsections A through I of this section to establish internal agency grievance resolution procedures.

G. The appointing authority of each classified agency shall designate employees of the agency to receive and process internal agency grievances. Within six (6) months after designation to serve in this capacity, these employees shall complete the training programs established by the Commission. Upon successful completion, such employees shall be certified to perform the duties associated with receiving and processing internal agency grievances.

H. The appointing authority of each classified agency shall ensure that employees designated to receive and process internal agency grievances are scheduled to attend and notified of the required training and shall make time available for employees to complete the training.

I. Each agency shall maintain records of each grievance filed as well as summary information about the number, nature and outcome of all grievances filed. Agencies shall keep records of grievances separate and apart from other individual employee personnel files. Agencies shall annually report grievance information and related statistical data to the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission. An employee or former employee shall have a right of access to the grievance record of grievances he or she filed after the grievance procedure has been completed.

J. Employees may only appeal a reduction-in-force action to the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission on the basis of procedural errors in the application of the reduction-in-force plan of the employing agency, board, or commission.

Added by Laws 1982, c. 338, § 30, eff. July 1, 1982. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 274, § 6, operative July 1, 1983; Laws 1986, c. 158, § 15, operative July 1, 1986; Laws 1989, c. 353, § 10, emerg. eff. June 3, 1989; Laws 1992, c. 367, § 17, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 1994, c. 242, § 33. Renumbered from § 841.9 of this title by Laws 1994, c. 242, § 54. Amended by Laws 1998, c. 364, § 33, emerg. eff. June 8, 1998; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 919.

NOTE: Laws 1986, c. 84, § 5 repealed by Laws 1989, c. 353, § 14, emerg. eff. June 3, 1989.