Grievances
Informal Conflict Resolution
Employees are encouraged to resolve grievances informally, through discussions with their supervisors or through the Virginia Tech Conflict Resolution Program. This program offers opportunities to individuals to participate in mediation, facilitation and other informal conflict resolution strategies to address a dispute or conflict with another person(s). The program includes workshop and individual skill building opportunities which nurtures individual learning and growth. To learn more, contact Dale Robinson, Manager of the Conflict Resolution Program at 540/231-1824.
Grievance
The grievance procedure is a process through which a Virginia Tech employee can bring workplace concerns to upper levels of management. This process is more formal than mediation and requires that rules be followed strictly. The Grievance Procedure Manual lists the rules that must be followed. Employee Relations staff assist employees in filing grievances, management in responding to the grievance, and monitor the process to ensure that both the employee and management comply with the rules.
Grievances must be filed within 30 days of the time the action being grieved occurred and will normally follow the steps outlined below. However, employees should contact Virginia Tech's Employee Relations department to confirm the appropriate management steps for their department or work unit, including employees in Virginia Tech's Extension and Agricultural Experiment Units, and other off campus operations.
| Agency Name | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
| 1st Step Respondent | Grievant's Immediate Supervisor (unless expedited) |
| 2nd Step Respondent | Department Head, Director, or equivalent |
| 3rd Step Respondent | Dean, Vice President, or equivalent |
For additional information regarding the initiation or administration of the grievance process, please contact Employee Relations at 540-231-9331.