Review of Staff Handbook Regarding Hiring, Review and Disciplinary Actions

(April 2009)

Grinnell College wishes to engage 2-3 outside reviewers to review its Staff Handbook procedures (or lack of procedures) for hiring, evaluating, disciplining, and terminating staff members. This review is part of an overall effort to update and improve the Handbook, (which commenced in 2008) and the work to update staff review materials in light of what we learned in the self study.

Outside Reviewers

At present a small steering committee is helping to identify outside reviewers and to advise on the design of the reviewers' visit to campus. The committee seeks a review team that will have competence in Human Resources, Student Life, and legal expertise. The hope is that we can conduct the review before finals week so as to include students in the discussion. However, identifying reviewers and finding a time that fits their schedule is likely to push the process into the early fall semester.

We expect the reviewers to evaluate our current and revised handbook, policies, and materials in light of best practices and our institutional needs. The steering committee proposes additionally some special emphases:

Hiring:

  • Diversity
  • Lessons to be learned from faculty hiring guidelines
  • Communications of expectations and requirements for the position at the point of hiring; revision of those expectations over time

Review:

  • Linking the annual review process to strategy 2 (ambition, achievement, adventure) and development/training activities
  • Required training for supervisors regarding review best practices

Disciplinary Actions

  • Appeal and grievance process
  • Ombudsperson
  • Time lines for disciplinary action and improvement

This list may be revised further as we consider materials for inclusion in the review packet.

Subsequent Actions

It is planned that a report to the President and the Vice-President for College Services could be submitted verbally and then in writing after the visit. A redacted version of recommendations for procedures will be made publicly available and the written report will be shared with other administrators and the Executive Council. Subsequent actions in regard to hiring, review and disciplinary policy will be determined by the President and the Vice-President for College Services.