Pierce County POLICY: Staff and/or Public Concerns
When a Pierce County Department of Human Services Board member is contacted by a staff person or member of the general public who has a concern or complaint about the Department or persons within the Department, the board member will:
- Remember that individual board members have no power or authority to speak or act for the full board;Listen to the person’s concern;Express a desire to reach a satisfactory solution;Explain that the Board and management have established a process for handling concerns. Suggest that the concern be discussed with the person most immediately responsible;Refer a client with a complaint to the appropriate program manager and/or staff person;Refer staff with a complaint to their supervisor, the Director, or other appropriate grievance procedures;Assure the person the director will be informed of their concern;Ask the person to report back to you about the progress or resolution of the concern, if desired; and
- Inform the Director of the complaint or concern.