Progressive Discipline Memo

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Office of Vice President

for Finance and Administration

TO:            Dave Logan, President, AFSCME, Local 1699

FROM:      Steve Wood, Associate Vice President, Facilities Management & Safety Gwyn Scott, Associate Vice President for Auxiliaries

RE: DATE:

Statement on Progressive Discipline June 3, 2016

Statement on Progressive Discipline

Ohio University supports and generally strives to follow a progressive discipline process in which most infractions are addressed through a series of increasingly severe but proportional actions designed not simply to punish an employee but to modify unacceptable employee behaviors and to help the employee succeed in their position. In many cases, progressive discipline may begin with formal counseling or a verbal warning. Repeated infractions or single infractions that are more egregious, will often result in elevated steps of discipline such as written reprimands, suspensions or termination of employment, as set forth in Article 33 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

As public employees working in a higher education setting, bargaining unit members often work directly or indirectly with students and other members of the public, independently and without direct supervision, and have broad access to University facilities and property. With that said, Ohio University has determined that progressive discipline is not appropriate for all types of misconduct. While it is not possible to identify and list all types of conduct that are inappropriate for progressive discipline, the University wishes to provide specific notice to bargaining unit members that illegal conduct, such as theft and fraud, drug and alcohol offenses (including substance abuse and intoxication), offenses of violence, sexually oriented offenses, and possession of a weapon while working or while on University property WILL NOT be subject to progressive discipline. Instead, such acts will result in termination of employment consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.