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In any organisation, problems and grievances will occur from time to time. It is
important that members know where to turn for help, advice and support, so that
whatever the issue, it can be dealt with quickly, objectively and appropriately.
This procedure sets out how Wendover u3a will approach problems and
grievances, to ensure they are dealt with in this way. The wording in this
procedure is taken directly from that used in the Third Age Trust template
document.
1. Grievances –responsibilities of the committee
This procedure sets out how Wendover u3a will approach problems related to a
breach or suspected breach of the agreed Code of Conduct by a member or
Trustee. This procedure is intended to ensure any issues are dealt with promptly,
fairly and consistently. All parties are encouraged to take a problem-solving
approach to achieve resolution.
In the event of a report of any member or Trustee allegedly breaching the Code
of Conduct or if a breach becomes apparent, the Chair will be notified
immediately.
In carrying out this procedure, Wendover u3a will ensure the following:
 Every action will be documented.
 Disciplinary matters (including the appeals procedure) will be dealt with
quickly and fairly.
 Wendover u3a will strive to de-escalate any situation and to settle the
issue without having to resort to formal disciplinary action.
 Wendover u3a will seek additional support from Trust staff, the Regional
Trustee and Trust volunteers, as required. All requests for support will go
via the National Office.
 Confidentiality will be maintained at all times. For more serious issues
Wendover u3a will liaise with the Third Age Trust to seek advice and
guidance about procedural issues. Sharing of information with the Trust
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will not constitute a breach of confidentiality due to the affiliation with the
Trust. Members involved in the disciplinary procedure will be informed of
the Trust's involvement.
 Decisions will be based on facts and evidence.
The disciplinary procedure will be implemented once all steps that have been
taken to resolve matters informally have been unsuccessful and/or where a
matter is deemed by the Wendover u3a committee to be so serious that the
only relevant course of action is to follow the disciplinary procedure.
1.1. Confidentiality
All procedures and documents relating to a disciplinary must be kept
confidential at all times. Information will only be shared with those who have a
genuine need to receive it and this will include Trust staff and volunteers, as
required. All situations should be dealt with discreetly and by showing respect
for the parties and views involved.
1.2. Informal procedure
It is very important to try and resolve disputes amicably and informally. This is
more likely to lead to a better relationship between the parties in the longer
term.
The Chair will use his/her best endeavours to resolve the problem amicably and
quickly, through an informal discussion with the member or Trustee in question.
The Trustee or member will be informed that if any areas of activity that could
potentially be of a disciplinary nature are found, they will be requested to attend
a meeting with an initial Hearing Committee.
The informal discussion will be clear and all parties should understand their
obligations at the end of the meeting.
A confidential written record of the outcome of the informal discussion should
be kept by the Chair.
1.3. Formal procedure
However, if the initial process is not effective in reaching a solution or if it is felt
that the alleged breach is serious enough to require formal disciplinary action,
the Chair will appoint two investigating trustees (who are not involved or
connected to any party in the alleged breach) to investigate it.
The Chair will appoint a subcommittee of a minimum 2/3 committee members
(where possible) to hear the alleged breach.
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The result of these investigations must not be disclosed to any other Trustees, at
this stage, in order to not bias any appeal.
The timetable for the date of the meeting to hear the breach of code of conduct
will be short, preferably within 14 days from the date that the Chair is first
advised.
A letter will be sent to the member/Trustee who is alleged to have breached the
Code of Conduct for the purpose of:
 Advising they are subject to a formal disciplinary procedure.
 Advising them of what constitutes the alleged breach of Code of Conduct.
 Asking for their response to the breach in writing.
 Advising them of the date of the breach hearing.
 Advising that they can also attend the subcommittee meeting to state
their response in addition to their written response.
 Advising them they may choose to bring a companion, if they wish, who
will also be bound by confidentiality.
If the member/Trustee advises that there are witnesses to the incident(s) who
are willing to give representations, they will ask those witnesses to contact the
subcommittee to agree to giving a statement relating to the specific incident(s)
that they have witnessed. It is important that any statements taken are a factual
representation of what the witness says. The statement should not be an
interpretation or opinion of what he/she says.
1.4. The Hearing Committee
The Hearing Committee will be the members of the committee appointed by the
Chair.
The initial Hearing Committee will examine the matter, considering any written
statements submitted, verbal statements and any mitigating circumstances.
From this the Hearing Committee will agree whether any disciplinary action has
taken place.
The full committee may be told that a disciplinary procedure has been initiated
and is being dealt with, but not given any of the detail. This is necessary in order
not to bias any appeal that they may be required to hear at a later date.
Note: If the Chair of the Committee is suspected to have breached the Code of
Conduct, then the Vice Chair will replace the Chair in the procedure. In this case,
and in the event of an appeal, the Vice Chair may choose to ask committee
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members from a neighbouring u3a or seek advice or request attendance from
Third Age Trust staff or Trustees.
The initial Hearing Committee may decide there is no breach of conduct in which
case they will advise the member or Trustee of this outcome.
If they do feel that the code of conduct has been breached they can consider
any of the following possible forms of disciplinary action. Levels 4 and 5 will only
be invoked in the case of significant breaches of the code or a persistent
repetition of behaviour about which the member or Trustee has previously been
warned, such as not complying with the terms of the constitution.
1.5. Levels of action
1.5.1. Level 1
No case to answer. No further action necessary.
1.5.2. Level 2
A verbal warning which makes clear the nature of the unacceptable behaviour
and includes a warning about future conduct and the consequences of noncompliance.

The Chair should give the warning on behalf of the initial Hearing
Committee. Details of the warning should be recorded, dated and kept on file.
1.5.3 Level 3
A written warning from the Chair, on behalf of and agreed by the Subcommittee,
itemising the unacceptable behaviour, stating the improvement required with
immediate effect and the consequences of continued non-compliance.
1.5.4. Level 4
A final written warning as above, which states that if the behaviour is repeated
the member or Trustee will be asked to leave the u3a or committee, with
immediate effect.
1.5.5 Level 5
The Trustee or member is asked to leave either the committee or the u3a.
1.6. Gross misconduct
If there is a case to answer, for most problems the process will start at Level 1.
However, in the case of an extremely serious proven misdemeanour, for example:
• Sexual/racial abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying.
• Dangerous or violent behaviour.
• Falsification of expense claims.
• Theft.
• Malicious damage.
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• Conduct which brings the u3a into disrepute or is prejudicial to the u3a or
the running of the u3a.
•
The committee has the right to move immediately to Levels 4 or 5, including
asking the Trustee or member to leave.
1.7 Decision
The decision should be communicated in writing to the member or Trustee
advising him/her if the breach of the code of conduct has been upheld or not
upheld.
If the breach has been upheld, they will be informed:
• Of the action that will be taken as a result;
• That they have the right of appeal;
• That the right of appeal can only relate to the original breach;
• That the appeal request must be lodged with the Chair within 14 days from
the date the decision is communicated.
1.8 Right of appeal
The Trustee or member who is alleged to have breached the Code of Conduct
must be informed of their right of appeal at the end of the initial hearing. The
appeal must be lodged within a 7 day period, from the date of the appeal
request and must take the form of written representation with the opportunity to
attend an appeal meeting for a right of reply. The Trustee or member must be
advised of their right to attend with a companion. The written appeal request
must be sent to the person chairing the initial hearing.
The Chair should be informed of the intention to appeal by the person chairing
the initial hearing.
The Chair will then convene a further sub-panel of Trustees who did not hear the
original disciplinary, to hear the appeal.
The appeal panel will then hold an appeal hearing to consider any written
response and representations in order to make their decision on whether to
uphold the appeal or not.
This will be independent of the initial hearing and trustees should not discuss
this outside of the appeal sub-panel.
If the member or Trustee concerned requests a right of reply to the appeal panel
the member or Trustee can be accompanied by a companion who may also
speak in a personal capacity, if they wish.
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The Chair of the appeal panel will summarise the issues involved in the
disciplinary hearing and the information provided and then the member or
Trustee will be given the opportunity to speak, along with their companion if the
companion wishes to speak.
The appeal panel will review its decision, considering any mitigating
circumstances, and then make a final decision which must be communicated in
writing within 7 days of the appeal meeting.
The committee’s decision following any appeal is final and absolute
confidentiality must be maintained.

Version	Purpose / Change
August 2020	Initial version in new format based on Grievance Procedure Sample U3A-KMS-DOC-039 undated but downloaded 20th July 2020.
March 2023	No u3a sample Grievance Procedure on website. No changes made to text of this document.