3044

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 658

54.

(a) There shall be five steps in this procedure.

(1)  Step one shall be the initiation of a complaint.
Grievances must be initiated within 30 days of the alleged
complaint or within 30 days after the complaining employee
reasonably may be held to have knowledge of the act of which he
is complaining. An aggrieved employee and his designated
representative may either:

(i) Present his grievance orally to his
immediate supervisor for the purpose of informal discussions. If
the grievance is unresolved after three days, the employee may
appeal to step two, which appeal must be in writing and filed
within three days; or

(ii) Present his grievance in writing to his
intermediate supervisor for formal consideration. If the
grievance is presented to the intermediate supervisor, the
intermediate supervisor shall within five days after receipt of
the written grievance hold a conference with the aggrieved and/or
his designated representative and shall within five days after
the conclusion of the conference render his decision in writing
to the aggrieved and/or his designated representative. In the
event the aggrieved employee is not satisfied with the decision
rendered at this step, he and/or his designated representative
may appeal in writing to step two within five days.

(2)  The grievance appeal shall be presented, in
writing, to the program director or his designated
representative. Within five days after receipt of the written
grievance, the program director or his designated representative
shall hold a conference with the aggrieved and/or his designated
representative and shall render a written decision within ten
days after the conclusion of the conference. In the event an
aggrieved is not satisfied with the decision, he and/or his
designated representative may appeal in writing to the next step
within five days.

(3)  The grievance appeal shall be presented, in
writing, to the appointing authority, or his designated
representative. Within ten days after the receipt of the written
grievance appeal the appointing authority or his designated
representative shall hold a conference with the aggrieved and/or
his designated representative and shall render a written decision
to the aggrieved within 15 days after the conclusion of the
conference. In the event the aggrieved employee is not satisfied
with the decision, he and/or his designated representative may
appeal, in writing, to the next step within ten days.

(4)  The grievance appeal shall be presented in
writing to the Secretary of the Department or his designated
representative. Within ten days after the receipt of the written
grievance appeal the Secretary or his designated representative,