Staff Grievance Policy
The university has a policy on staff grievances and complaints. The first step to resolve an issue shall be direct communication with the employee’s Line Manager. The University shall urge all employees to discuss their employment concerns, problems, or questions with their Line Manager, who shall be expected to foster and establish effective two-way communication with the employees they supervise. Effective communication between employees and their Line Manager serves the best interests of both the employee and the University. And the policy states that the staff member will be protected for reporting a discrimination or any other complaint.
ASU Policy of Protection for complaints of discrimination
Applied Sciences University (“ASU”) requires its directors, officers, employees, student workers, interns, and volunteers, [as well as all persons who provide ASU with contracted services] to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the performance of their duties on ASU’s behalf. ASU is committed to protecting individuals from interference when making a “Protected Disclosure” (see definition below) and from retaliation for having made a Protected Disclosure or for having refused to follow an illegal instruction. The principal objective of this Protection for complaints of discrimination Policy is to encourage and enable University representatives, without the fear of retaliation, to raise concerns regarding suspected unethical and/or illegal conduct or practices on a confidential and, if desired, anonymous basis, so that ASU can address and correct inappropriate conduct and actions.
Definitions
- Wrongful Conduct Concern (“Concern”)
A violation of university policies; a violation of applicable local, Bahrain Kingdom, and Federal laws; or the use of university property, resources, or authority for personal gain or other non-University-related purposes.
- Protected Disclosure
Communication about actual or suspected wrongful conduct engaged in by a university college member, staff member, student worker, volunteer, or contractor (who is not also the disclosing individual) based on a good faith and reasonable belief that the conduct has both occurred and is wrongful under university policies and/or applicable laws. Individuals who are aware of, or have reason to suspect wrongful conduct should report the conduct promptly.
Reporting Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all University representatives to report, in good faith, concerns they may have regarding actual or suspected activities which may be illegal or in violation of ASU’s policies with respect to, without limitation, fraud, theft, embezzlement, accounting, or auditing irregularities, bribery, kickbacks, and misuse of ASU’s accounting or auditing irregularities, bribery, kickbacks, and misuse of ASU’s assets, as well as any violations or suspected violations of high business and personal ethical standards.
No Retaliation
No University representative who in good faith reports a concern shall suffer intimidation, harassment, retaliation, discrimination, or adverse employment consequences because of such report. Any Student of ASU who retaliates against someone who has reported a concern in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment in case of being a member of the staff or expulsion from the academic career in case of being a student.
Acting in Good Faith
Anyone reporting a concern must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing that the information disclosed may indicate a violation of a law, University policy and/or ethical standards. Any allegations that prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.
Confidentiality
ASU takes seriously its responsibility to enforce this Policy, and therefore encourages any person reporting a concern to identify him or herself so as to facilitate any resulting investigation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in reporting a concern, University representatives can request that their report be treated in a confidential manner (including that ASU takes reasonable steps to ensure that the identity of the reporting person remains anonymous). Concerns will be kept confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct a thorough and complete investigation.
ASU Procedure in case of Reporting
https://www.asu.edu.bh/director/administrative-affairs/human-resources-department/
In accordance with the appropriate University Grievance Procedure, in general, any such grievance is to
be reported to HRD either via email (hr@asu.e du.bh), a written letter or in person. In addition, if a student
feels that they have been discriminated against, the complaint should be raised in accordance with the University’s Code of Practice on Complaints, Appeals and Discipline. If a member of staff or student feels
that they are being bullied or harassed, the complaint should be raised in accordance with the University’s
Harassment and Bullying Policy. Advice on the use of these procedures can be obtained from Human Resources and Student Services. For this, there is an office at the University called “Human resources department”, who are in charge, among other tasks, of achieving a good environment among workers and being aware of their needs, in addition to protecting those who report for any reason, including for discrimination, due to disadvantages either educational or employment.
Specifically, in point 6. Where to determine that it is your duty, maintaining loyalty and the sense of belonging among employees, providing a suitable work environment, and achieving harmonization to improve the employees’ performance and productivity levels.
Student Services Office
https://www.asu.edu.bh/student/student-affairs/student-services-office/about-the-office/
For students, there is also an office “Student services office”, where the welfare of students is ensured, and it is guaranteed that there is no discrimination.
Student Complaints Procedure
https://www.asu.edu.bh/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Student-Handbook-2020-2021.pdf
ASU has an effective mechanism that allows students to make legitimate complaints and suggestions. Students may file complaints and suggestions about aspects related to academic and teaching facilities, university resources, administrative services, financial issues, conflicts with academic or administrative staff, and conflicts with students.
Any student who wants to make a complaint will need to do the following.
- The student must file the complaint at the Deanship of Student Affairs either directly in person or by email, suggestion box, or through any other means available throughout the University.
- The student needs to fill out the complaint form clearly and must sign it. Anonymous complaints will not be considered.
- The complaint is reviewed initially by the Director of Student Affairs, then by the Dean of Student Affairs, and both provide their comments/recommendations on the complaint form, sign it, and then forward it to the responsible party for action or recommendation.
- Some complaints or suggestions may require further referral to the relevant committee for immediate action.
- All complaints are filed and assigned a complaint number then forwarded to the VP Academics/College Deans or to the relevant department for action.
- In most cases, depending on the gravity of the complaint, when a complaint is resolved, the feedback is forwarded to the Deanship of Student Affairs to close the case.
- Collective complaints which impact on a group of students either in relation to their academic studies or resources and services provided to them should be channelled through the Student Council who will liaise with the relevant person(s) or Committees within ASU to resolve the issue
Students Online Service-SOS enables the students at ASU to have easy access and communicate with the Deanship of Student Affairs staff any time and from anywhere. The System offers our students the possibility to easily place their requests, complaints, or suggestions related to academic, finance, health and safety, personal issues and other matters. In addition, the System also offers access to students with special needs so that they can have direct contact with the Deanship anytime and anywhere. The System will greatly enhance the opportunity for students to share their opinions while at the same time allowing for a prompt response to their queries, concerns or suggestions.
The access to Student Complaints and Suggestions
http://sos.asu.edu.bh/ords/f?p=123:LOGIN_DESKTOP:27832661382842
