Formal Complaint Procedure

Free Geek maintains an open-door policy. You can express concerns to any manager. We have learned that complaints get resolved best, however, when people follow our formal complaint procedure. We established this procedure in order to provide a clear and unambiguous avenue for resolving complaints.

You should submit your complaint by email to hr@freegeek.org with the word "complaint" in the subject of the email. Please provide sufficient details to allow management to act on the complaint. For example, “there is a leaky faucet in the second bathroom by the breakroom” is more helpful than, “a bathroom has a problem.” If you believe that a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is occurring, it helps to make a note of it in the text of the complaint as well. (Please note: if you are a bargaining unit employee, it is not required that you follow this complaint procedure in order to file a union grievance.)

If you are especially concerned about confidentiality, you can submit your complaint in writing to a manager of your choosing. That manager will then forward the content of the complaint to hr@lists.freegeek.org, removing names and other details as necessary to ensure confidentiality.

Whenever Free Geek hears a complaint of sexual harassment, whether or not that complaint is made formally or includes a request for action, we will conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. Investigations and resolutions will respect people's confidentiality as much as possible, but they will also take into account the seriousness of the complaint and whether it forms part of a pattern of complaints.

Free Geek will acknowledge receipt of all complaints within one business day of receipt and report back to the complainant any follow-up action taken within two weeks. We will not tolerate any retaliation towards any employee for lodging a complaint. We take seriously our ethical and legal responsibility to protect whistleblowers.