Grievant claimed he had been misclassified when he was in a prior classification, and
sought a retroactive reallocation to a higher classification. Respondent contended he wasalways properly classified, and that this grievance was untimely. Although misclassification
is a continuing practice, Grievant did not file his grievance while the practice continued, and
was outside the time limit for doing so after it ended. This ruling holds the grievance was
untimely, and denies the grievance on that procedural basis without consideration of the
merits.
Based on a preponderance of the evidence, I find the following material facts have
been proven:
Findings of Fact
1. Grievant was employed as an Underwriter 1 by WCC from June 1999 to
December 1, 2004, when his position was reclassified as a Self-Insurance Specialist 1. He
had been originally hired as an Accountant Assistant 3 in 1995, and was subsequently
reallocated to Accountant Technician 3 and then to a Data Analyst 3, from whence he was
reallocated to Underwriter 1 in 1999. He did not challenge his Underwriter 1 classification
at the time.
2. Grievant's job duties and responsibilities have essentially been the same since
he began working in the self insurance unit in 1995.
3. Sometime in 2002, Grievant found out that some Underwriters 1 had been
reallocated to Underwriter II. He discussed the matter with his supervisor, Gwen Stone,
suggesting she should be reallocated to Underwriter III and he should go to Underwriter
II. No action was taken, and Grievant made no formal reallocation request and filed no
grievance over the issue.
4. There was no “mass reallocation” of Underwriters 1 to Underwriters 2 as
Grievant believed had happened
5. DOP conducted a desk audit of Grievant's position in 2003, and determined
he was properly classified. Grievant prepared a Position Description Form (PDF) in
September 2003, but did not submit the PDF to anyone for review.
6. Grievant prepared a new PDF in January 2004. The PDF was submitted to
DOP.
7. DOP had undergone an agency-wide analysis of WCC classifications. This
process resulted in several positions being reclassified, including Grievant's, on December
1, 2004.
8. Despite the several reclassifications of his position, Grievant believes he has
been doing the same job since 1995.
Discussion
Although Respondent argues this claim is untimely, misclassification “is a continuing
practice, and thus, a grievance may be initiated at any time during which the
misclassification continues.”
(See footnote 2)
The normal effect of misclassification claims is to fix the
period for which any back pay may be awarded to ten days prior to the filing of the
grievance.
(See footnote 3)
However, this matter is somewhat different, in that Grievant is claiming he should
have been reallocated from Underwriter 1 to Underwriter 2 “retroactively” to 2002. At
Level III, the Grievance Evaluator determined that Grievant's supervisor had informed him
that misclassification was a continuing practice, and that he could file a grievance at any
time. Respondent's lower-level motion to dismiss was denied on the basis that Grievant
had relied on this representation by his supervisor in delaying his grievance filing.
However, as of December 1, 2004, Grievant was no longer classified as an Underwriter 1,
because he had been reclassified to Workers' Compensation Self Insurance Specialist 1. This grievance was not filed at level one until December 23, 2004, sixteen days
(See footnote 4)
after his
alleged misclassification ended.
A grievance must be filed with the immediate supervisor of the grievant “[w]ithin ten
days following the occurrence of the event upon which the grievance is based, or within ten
days of the date on which the event became known to the grievant, or within ten days of the
most recent occurrence of a continuing practice giving rise to a grievance. . . .”
(See footnote 5)
Here, even
if Grievant relied on his supervisor's representation that misclassification could be grieved
at any time while it continues, this does not excuse his failure to file a claim after it ended.
In addition, Grievant testified at Level IV that he was told that, once he became something
other than an Underwriter 1, he had nine days in which to file.
In his Statement of Grievance, Grievant alleges he was informed of the
reclassification on December 10, 2004, by letter from the DOP. There is no evidence in the
record of this letter, but Respondent's Exhibit No. 3 at Level IV clearly shows the
reallocation took place on December 1. December 10 was nine days prior to his grievance
filing, within the required time limit. The time period for filing a grievance ordinarily begins
to run when the employee is unequivocally notified of the decision being challenged.
(See footnote 6)
Although it was alleged Grievant was notified by a letter of his reallocation within the time
limits, it is clear he was actually reallocated prior to that time. Grievant believed his tenure
as an Underwriter 1 ended December 15, 2004, but the record does not reflect this date asaccurate. The undersigned takes judicial notice that a reasonable inference may be drawn
that Grievant knew, or should have known, he was to be reallocated before the event took
place, and that he knew the date certain upon which it would happen, which was December
1, 2004. This was a major reclassification project that had been ongoing throughout WCC
for some length of time before it was implemented, and the employees knew about it.
(See footnote 7)
If proven, an untimely filing will defeat a grievance, in which case the merits of the
case need not be addressed.
(See footnote 8)
Should the employer demonstrate a grievance has not been
timely filed, the employee may demonstrate a proper basis to excuse his failure to file in a
timely manner.
(See footnote 9)
Grievant did not demonstrate a proper basis to excuse his failure to file a
claim in a timely manner.
Even if this were timely filed, Grievant cannot prevail on his claim as it is stated. In
a misclassification grievance, the Grievant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence
that the work he is doing is a better fit in a different classification than the one he is
currently in.
(See footnote 10)
Here, Grievant claims that he should be promoted to the higher classification
_ that of Underwriter 2 _ because the level and complexity of his duties changed as he
became more experienced. He does not claim that his basic job functions/responsibilities
have changed since his original hire. He does not claim he was originally misclassified.
Instead, he feels he should have been promoted based on the longevity of his service in whathe characterizes as an “entry-level” classification. He provided no evidence his duties fit
into a different classification, only that he was able to do more complex duties within his
classification as he gained experience.
The following conclusions of law support this discussion:
Conclusions of Law
1. Grievant bears the burden of proving must prove by a preponderance of the
evidence that the work he is doing is a better fit in a different classification than the one his
is currently in.
See Hayes v. W. Va. Dep't of Natural Res., Docket No. NR-88-038 (Mar.
28, 1989);
Oiler v. W. Va. Dep't of Health and Human Resources/Bureau for Child
Support Enforcement, Docket No. 00-HHR-361 (Apr. 5, 2001).
2. Misclassification “is a continuing practice, and thus, a grievance may be
initiated at any time during which the misclassification continues.”
Thomas v. Dep't of
Health & Human Res., Docket No. 01-HHR-385 (Nov. 20, 2001)(citing
Martin v. Randolph
County Bd. of Educ., 195 W. Va. 297, 465 S.E.2d 399 (1995)).
3. A grievance must be filed with the immediate supervisor of the grievant
“[w]ithin ten days following the occurrence of the event upon which the grievance is based,
or within ten days of the date on which the event became known to the grievant, or within
ten days of the most recent occurrence of a continuing practice giving rise to a grievance.
. . .”
W. Va. Code § 29-6A-4(a). For a continuing practice, the grievance must be filed
within ten days after the practice ends.
Thomas, supra;
Gaskins v. W. Va. Dep't of Health,
Docket No. 90-H-032 (Apr. 12, 1990).
4. If proven, an untimely filing will defeat a grievance, in which case the merits
of the case need not be addressed.
Lynch v. W. Va. Dep't of Transp., Docket No. 97-DOH-060 (July 16, 1997). Should the employer demonstrate a grievance has not been timely
filed, the employee may demonstrate a proper basis to excuse his failure to file in a timely
manner.
Higginbotham v. W. Va. Dep't of Pub. Safety, Docket No. 97-DPS-018 (Mar. 31,
1997);
Sayre v. Mason County Health Dep't, Docket No. 95-MCHD-435 (Dec. 29, 1995).
See Ball v. Kanawha County Bd. of Educ., Docket No. 94-20-384 (Mar. 13, 1995);
Woods
v. Fairmont State College, Docket No. 93-BOD-157 (Jan. 31, 1994);
Jack v. W. Va. Div. of
Human Serv., Docket No. 90-DHS-524 (May 14, 1991).
5. Grievant did not file his grievance within the required time for doing so, and
has not proven a legitimate excuse for his failure to file.
For the foregoing reasons, this grievance is hereby
DENIED.
Any party or the West Virginia Division of Personnel may appeal this decision to the
Circuit Court of Kanawha County or to the circuit court of the county in which the grievance
occurred, and such appeal must be filed within thirty days of receipt of this Decision. W.
Va. Code § 29-6A-7 (1998). Neither the West Virginia Education and State Employees
Grievance Board nor any of its administrative law judges is a party to such appeal and
should not be so named. However, the appealing party is required by W. Va. Code § 29A-5-
4(b) to serve a copy of the appeal petition upon the Grievance Board. The appealing party
must also provide the Board with the civil action number so that the record can be prepared
and properly transmitted to the appropriate circuit court.
[DATE]
______________________________________M. Paul Marteney
Administrative Law Judge
Footnote: 1