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Page 54 of 150 Article 15. DISCIPLINE Section 15.01 General Policy Supervisors are responsible for maintaining compliance with city standards of employee conduct. The objective of this policy is to establish a standard disciplinary process for employees of the city of Orono. City employees will be subject to disciplinary action for failure to fulfill their duties and responsibilities at the level required, including observance of work rules and standards of conduct and applicable city policies. Discipline will be administered in a non-discriminatory manner. An employee who believes that discipline applied was either unjust or disproportionate to the offense committed may pursue a remedy through the grievance procedures established in the city’s personnel policies. The supervisor and/or the city administrator will investigate any allegation on which disciplinary action might be based before any disciplinary action is taken. Section 15.02 No Contract Language Established This policy is not to be construed as contractual terms and is intended to serve only as a guide for employment discipline. Section 15.03 Process The city may elect to use progressive discipline, a system of escalating responses intended to correct the negative behavior rather than to punish the employee. There may be circumstances that warrant deviation from the suggested order or where progressive discipline is not appropriate. Nothing in these personnel policies implies that any city employee has a contractual right or guarantee (also known as a property right) to the job he/she performs. Documentation of disciplinary action taken will be placed in the employee’s personnel file with a copy provided to the employee. The following are descriptions of the types of disciplinary actions: 1. Oral Reprimand This measure will be used where informal discussions with the employee’s supervisor have not resolved the matter. All supervisors have the ability to issue oral reprimands without prior approval. Oral reprimands are normally given for first infractions on minor offenses to clarify expectations and put the employee on notice that the performance or behavior needs to change, and what the change must be. The supervisor will document the oral reprimand including date(s) and a summary of discussion and corrective action needed. 2. Written Reprimand A written reprimand is more serious and may follow an oral reprimand when the problem is not corrected, or the behavior has not consistently improved in a reasonable period of time. Serious infractions may require skipping either the oral or written reprimand, or both. Written reprimands are issued by the supervisor with prior approval from the city administrator. A written reprimand will: (1) state what did happen; (2) state what should have happened; (3) identify the policy, directive or performance expectation that was not followed; (4) provide history, if any, on 113