Grievance Policy

Rhodes College is committed to providing a work environment in which employees are encouraged to do their best work in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork, personal development, and good communication among colleagues. Rhodes also recognize that there may be times when employees feel that their work environment is not productive. This may be so for a number of reasons, including conflicts with a co-worker or supervisor, perceived lack of training or resources, concerns about advancement or compensation, situations in which the employee feels they have been treated unfairly or discriminated against, personal issues that are affecting performance or attendance, or other similar concerns. 

If you would like to raise a concern such as this, contact Human Resources at hr@rhodes.edu or your immediate supervisor. In the case of faculty, this would be your Department Chair. If you are uncomfortable reporting your concern to your immediate supervisor, you may also report your concern to your next-level supervisor or, in the case of faculty, to the Provost’s Office. You may be asked to put your complaint in writing. 

An investigation will then take place. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the investigation may include a personal interview, review of pertinent documentation, and interviews of other people with relevant information. Every effort will be made to conclude the investigation within thirty days of receipt of the complaint, but there may be times when it will take longer. The complainant will be kept advised of the status of the investigation. 

At the end of the investigation, a resolution will be proposed. If the employee is not satisfied with the proposed resolution, the employee may go to the next level supervisor or, in the case of faculty, to the Provost. The decision of the applicable Vice-President or, in the case of faculty, the Provost, will be considered final. 

The College strives to resolve complaints as quickly and confidentially as possible while ensuring that enough information is collected to reach a proper resolution. Retaliation for using this process will not be tolerated and should be reported promptly to Human Resources.