Emergency service organizations (ESOs) are challenged to demonstrate strict adherence to their personnel grievance procedures. Litigation often focuses on whether the ESO mishandled the grievance in cases such as wrongful termination or discipline, harassment, or discrimination.

Before costly and time-consuming litigation arises, ESOs are encouraged to become intimately familiar with their grievance procedures. Many ESO leaders and Board members have not been required to administer a grievance, nor have they been trained on how to administer their current written grievance policy and procedure. ESO leaders who have been required to process grievances on a more frequent basis would agree that following an unfamiliar or cumbersome grievance policy and procedure is challenging.

This Communiqué provides risk management guidance for ESOs on examining the scope and functionality of their personnel grievance procedures.