HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                    1463

(d) If the step [five] THREE hearing has been held and in
that hearing the initial determination was rescinded, no further
action may be taken against an employee with regard to the charge
that was considered in the hearing.

55.

(a)  A grievance may start with a complaint or request by
any employee covered by this subtitle. Similar grievances may be
consolidated and processed together as a single issue. By mutual
agreement, any step or steps may be bypassed.

(b)  A record of each written grievance and its disposition
shall be furnished to the complaining employee and/or [his] THE
designated representative OF THE EMPLOYEE and shall be filed in

the office of the Secretary of Personnel. The Secretary of
Personnel shall provide appropriate forms for the filing and

processing of a grievance.

(c)  Each employee shall be notified of the location, at the
work site, of the Merit System Law, State employees personnel
rules and agency personnel regulations and policies.

(d)  Every effort shall be made by both parties to resolve
the grievance at the lowest possible level.

(e)  Failure to appeal constitutes acceptance. Failure to
answer is a denial from which an appeal may be taken. By mutual
agreement, time limits may be waived. An appeal shall be in
writing. The original copy of the written appeal, signed by the
employee must be forwarded to the next step for consideration.

(f)  In the case of a disciplinary suspension, except a
suspension pending the resolution of charges which, if proved,
would result in the dismissal of an employee:

(1)  The employee and/or [his] THE designated
representative may submit a written appeal of a disciplinary
suspension to the Secretary of Personnel within five days in
accordance with existing regulations; or

(2)  The employee and/or [his] THE designated
representative may appeal the suspension within three days, to
the [appointing authority] SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT or [his] A
designated representative OF THE SECRETARY. In such event, the

[appointing authority] SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT or [his] A

designated representative must hear the case within three days
from the receipt of the written appeal. If the appeal goes
unheard or unanswered as a result of management delay, the
employee shall be reinstated with full back pay.

(3)  In the event that the employee chooses to appeal

to the [appointing authority] SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT or

[his] A designated representative OF THE SECRETARY, any further