GRIEVANCES

Beetles Netball Club is committed to ensuring the members participate in a harmonious and equitable environment, where grievances are dealt with sensitively and promptly. Beetles Netball Club's codes of behaviour apply to all members and provide guidelines for thinking, actions and decision-making.

Although the majority of grievances can and should be resolved in an informal way, without conducting an investigation, there will be occasional instances where a more formal process should be followed.

WHAT IS A GRIEVANCE?

A grievance can be about anything done, or not done, by a management committee member, coach, player of club member, which affects someone unfairly or unjustly. A grievance can also be about discrimination, harassment or any other related decision or behaviour which a member thinks is unfair.

This grievance procedure provides advice about what to do if a member has a grievance and what will happen when a grievance is raised.

CIRCUMSTANCES FOR RAISING A GRIEVANCE?

A grievance may be raised by a member in the following circumstances:

Where they feel a decision adversely affects them or their child and is unfair or unreasonable
Where they feel the conduct of another member adversely affects them (or their child) and is unfair or unreasonable
Where a member feels they (or their child) have been bullied
Where a member (or their child) feels intimidated
Where a member feels they (or their child) have been harassed or discriminated against

VEXATIOUS GRIEVANCE

While the majority of grievances are motivated by a genuine concern about perceived inappropriate or unfair behaviour or actions, on some occasions a grievance may be vexatious or malicious. If a grievance is investigated and found to be vexatious or malicious, then action may result.

APPLICABILITY

The options outlined in the club’s grievance procedure are available to all Beetles Netball Club members as detailed under each heading.

OUTCOMES

A grievance may be raised by a member in the following circumstances:

Discussion, negotiation, informal facilitation and mediation outlined in this procedure are the guiding principles used to lead to a prompt resolution of grievances, with the aim of resolving each grievance at the lowest possible level.

A member raising a grievance will not be treated unfairly or victimised as a result.

If a complaint is made against a member, that individual will not be pre-judged and will have the opportunity to respond and have a support person present if required.

Each grievance will be dealt with in the shortest time possible under the circumstances.

PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS

PURPOSE

The following procedure has been developed as an effective tool to ensure grievances are addressed as early as possible and at the lowest possible level, before they become major issues that require a formal investigation.

It is only after every effort is made to resolve the grievance locally, that consideration should be given to a more formal process and an investigation conducted as a last resort.

The first level of these procedures is therefore the most important, if early resolution is to be achieved.

FIRST LEVEL: one-on-one informal discussion and facilitation between
relevant parties

When a member wishes to raise a grievance, they should initially attempt to resolve the grievance through informal discussions with the other party or parties involved, stating the nature of the offensive behaviour and requesting that it ceases
The member against whom the grievance is made should make a full verbal response to the other member who has raised the grievance, within a period of five (5) working days. This response should include the action that will be taken to address the grievance
If the member does not feel they can raise the matter with the other party or if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion with the other party, they should verbally advise a member of the management committee and may request assistance in resolving the complaint
The management committee member selected should ensure they make every effort to resolve the matter within the earliest possible timeframe

SECOND LEVEL: escalation to management committee

A grievance should only be raised to this level as a last resort or when the issue is so serious that an investigation is warranted in the first instance.

If satisfaction is not reached at the first level of the process, a written formal complaint can then be made by forwarding a letter to the Beetles Netball Club management committee.
The management committee will then appoint one or more individuals to investigate the issue raised. This may include individual discussions with parties concerned, discussions with witnesses, review of decisions and reviews of processes. The investigators should be mindful of not including hearsay or unrelated issues.
Once the investigation is complete and all information has been gathered, the investigators should prepare a report to inform a decision by the management committee. The investigator may also choose to have an independent person review the decision.
The investigator should provide recommendations for resolution of the issue based on information gathered. The investigator may also recommend the engagement of an independent mediator from either within or outside of the club.
The management committee should reach unanimous agreement of a recommendation for resolution.
The management committee should reply in writing to the complainant outlining their investigation outcomes and provide formal advice regarding how the matter will be finalised.

DOCUMENTATION

All discussions within the second level of this process should be documented and signed by participating parties.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Details of any grievance will be kept confidential. Only those members who are required to know of the matter as part of their duties and obligations will have access to this information.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Where the grievance resolution process is being followed, member obligations must continue as they were prior to the grievance being lodged.

SERIOUS GRIEVANCES

All allegations of a serious or criminal nature will be reported immediately to the police or relevant agency or authority. Under no circumstances will Beetles Netball Club conduct its own investigations into any serious allegations or allegations of a criminal nature.