NASA grievance system: Employee handbook

This revised handbook updates the minimum provisions of the agency-wide Grievance System and applies to NASA Headquarters and field installations. All grievances initiated on or after June 15, 1981, will be processed under these provisions. NASA recognizes and endorses the importance of bringing to light and adjusting grievances promptly and of treating all employees reasonably and fairly. Achieving these objectives requires great competence, mature judgment, and true willingness to reach a satisfactory solution. Provisions of the NASA Grievance System are directed to this purpose. Grievances and misunderstandings can arise in almost any working situation. It follows then that an employee's initiation of a grievance in good faith should not cast any reflection on the employee's standing with his or her supervisor or loyalty and importance to the organization. At the same time, the initiation of a grievance should not automatically be considered as a reflection on the employee's supervisor or on the general management of the activity. This handbook should be used in conjunction with Office of Personnel Management regulations in 5 CFR Part 771 and Chapter 771 of the Federal Personnel Manual. Installations may issue implementing instructions, e.g. specifying when fact-finding is required or when an unresolved grievance must be referred to a higher level of authority.