Complaints Procedures

Complaints, Grievance And Child Protection Procedure
I am the Centre of Excellence manager and I am the senior member of staff responsible for the complaints procedure. I ensure that all coaching sessions/fixtures are properly supervised by responsible persons i.e. qualified coaches. Allegations of discrimination will be treated seriously and investigated fairly and thoroughly. Discrimination or other action contravening this policy will be dealt with through the Centre’s grievance procedure except where other specific remedies are provided as part of other employee support policies. Complaints against a member of staff which are upheld may, depending upon the seriousness of the offence(s) result in dismissal. M. Wiblin. Manager, Centre of Excellence.
Grievance procedure
Our grievance procedure shows our commitment to equal opportunities for all players and staff. This guidance explains how to use the procedure which provides an informal and flexible way to settle problems quickly.
Purpose of the Procedure
The procedure makes sure that if you have a grievance about the way the Centre, a coach or a colleague has treated you, there is a fair way to settle it. The procedure can deal with all types of grievance including: • A personal policy or contract issue • An allegation of discrimination because of sex, marital status, race, colour, ethnic origin. sexual orientation, age, disability or • Any other unjustified treatment • An allegation of sexual or racial harassment, or any other form of harassment including bullying.
Confidentiality and access to files
A record of any grievance made will be kept by the Welfare Officer who will file all papers and inform the aggrieved person of their reference number. The Welfare Officer will keep records of all grievances in a confidential file.
Standard of Proof
If you have a grievance, you do not need to prove your case beyond all reasonable doubt. Often, a grievance centres on the word of one person against another, with little or no supporting evidence. Each case will be decided on the balance of probability. This is the standard of proof that employment tribunals use. The procedure tries to be fair to all people including the person you are complaining about.
Withdrawing a grievance
You can withdraw a grievance without giving any reason. To do this you should tell the Welfare Officer. The welfare Officer will: • Register and regularly check all grievances • Report in the effectiveness of the procedure to senior management and give confidential advice, support and guidance to people involved in a case, or any person considering using the procedure Stage One initial report To start the grievance procedure you should speak or write about it to your Senior coach, who should • Discuss it with you • Record it • And send a report to the Welfare Officer The senior coach should then try to resolve the issue, to your satisfaction, within 14 days. If it is not possible to settle your grievance at this stage e.g. because your grievance is against your senior coach or concerns Club policy, you may proceed to stages two or three. Stage two If you still feel aggrieved, with your permission your grievance will be forwarded to............................................................................................................... He is then responsible for trying to settle your grievance, within 21 days of the procedure moving to this stage. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the grievance, you may then allow it to move to stage three. Stage three - settlement by the Manager The Manager will consider your grievance and try to settle it in confidence within 28 days of it moving to this stage. The Manager advised if necessary by the Welfare Officer, will discuss the issues with you and the other parties involved to settle the matter. The Manager will tell you and the other parties the outcome of the enquiry and what action will be taken, with the reasons for his decision. He will then send written confirmation of the decision as soon as possible.
Aggrieved person
We do not tolerate the victimization of anyone who begins proceedings under this procedure. If you feel that you are being victimized you can speak to the Welfare Officer. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the enquiry then you have the option of consulting with the Football League. At any stage in the procedure if the person dealing becomes aware of a criminal matter it will immediately be reported to the Welfare Officer who will then take the appropriate action.