It doesn’t matter what profession you work in, chances are good at some point you’ll find yourself working alongside someone who is underperforming, difficult to work with or downright inappropriate. These individuals can make a work environment much less enjoyable, and learning how to deal with them properly is critical to maintaining your job satisfaction. That could mean filing a grievance.
EMTs and employees with complaints are encouraged to file a formal grievance. In Kentucky, EMT’s have strict processes for filing grievances, based on Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) and Kentucky case laws.
For example, if you feel a coworker has behaved in an inappropriate way, whether verbally or physically and it is affecting your job, the first step is to file a written grievance, within 30 days of the incident, with your employer.
Once a grievance has been filed, your employer may feel it necessary to change either the stations, or crews of the complainants (you and your coworker). Until the situation is remedied, decreasing the interactions of the two parties may be necessary to mitigate further problems.
After a grievance is received, your employer will begin an investigation. At this point all parties are investigated, as well as those that were around during the instances that are noted in the grievance (it is important to remember that parties interviewed when not on duty must receive compensatory time.)
Through the investigation the complaints will either be verified, or they will be deemed false. In the event the grievance is deemed false, the grievance will be dropped at that point, and no further actions will be taken. If in fact the grievance has proven to be legitimate, further action will be required.
Typically, once a grievance is verified, the facts are reviewed and a fitting corrective action plan or other discipline will be handed down.
Retaliation to filing a grievance at work are all too common, most often it’s in the form of actions. Forcing the complainant into a different position, decreasing work hours, or being terminated form the position. If you feel you are the victim of retaliation, you should notify your employer immediately.
In the event you must file a grievance, be sure you know how your agencies process works. Remember that all individuals require a due process, no matter your personal feelings for someone.
If you are interested in learning more about emergency medical care degrees for EMTs, complete the form on this page. A degree from a regionally accredited university like EKU can provide the important skills needed to gain a competitive edge in the job market. EKU has been an online education leader for more than 15 years.