S.C. Code Regs. § 19-718.08 - APPEALS FORWARDED TO A MEDIATOR-ARBITRATOR

A. "Mediation-arbitration" means an alternative dispute resolution process that provides for the submission of an appeal to the mediator-arbitrator, an impartial third party who conducts conferences to attempt to resolve the grievance by mediation and render a decision that is final and binding on the parties if the appeal is not mediated.

B. The State Human Resources Director shall forward to a mediator-arbitrator all appeals which meet jurisdictional requirements and relate to the appeal of the following adverse employment actions: lack of promotional consideration and punitive reclassifications when the State Human Resources Director determines there is a material issue of fact regarding these issues, suspensions for ten days or fewer, and involuntary reassignments. In these cases, the arbitration decision is final in terms of administrative review.

C. Selection and Assignment of the Mediator-Arbitrator

1. The mediator-arbitrator must be assigned by the State Human Resources Director and shall serve as an impartial third party to hold conferences to encourage and facilitate the resolution of the appeal and, if the appeal is not resolved, issue a decision which determines whether the covered employee substantiated that the agency's decision was not reasonable.

2. The State Human Resources Director shall maintain a pool of qualified mediator-arbitrators trained by OHR in alternative dispute resolution, grievance, and related human resources issues.

3. The State Human Resources Director shall have the discretion to assign either two mediator-arbitrators, one to serve as mediator during the mediation phase and one to serve as arbitrator during the arbitration phase, or one mediator-arbitrator to serve as both mediator and arbitrator. If the State Human Resources Director assigns one mediator-arbitrator to serve as both mediator and arbitrator or an individual to serve as only the arbitrator during the arbitration phase, the following shall apply:

a. The State Human Resources Director shall send simultaneously to each party a list of five names of potential mediator-arbitrators from the pool along with a description of the professional experience of each potential mediator-arbitrator.

b. Each party shall have five calendar days from the date of receipt of the names in which to strike up to two names and return the list to the State Human Resources Director.

c. If OHR does not receive the list from the party within five calendar days from the date the party received the list, all persons named in the list shall be deemed acceptable.

d. From among the persons who have been approved on both lists, the State Human Resources Director shall appoint a mediator-arbitrator for that appeal. If the parties fail to agree on any of the persons named, or if the State Human Resources Director determines that an acceptable mediator-arbitrator from the list submitted to the parties is unable to act, or if for any other reason the appointment cannot be made from the submitted lists, the State Human Resources Director shall have the authority to make an assignment from among other members of the mediator-arbitrator pool without the submission of additional lists.

D. Mediation-Arbitration Conferences

1. The mediator-arbitrator shall review the documents which have been submitted by each party to the State Human Resources Director and shall schedule time(s) and location(s) to meet with both parties, jointly or independently.

2. No more than three representatives, including legal counsel and the covered employee, may be designated by either party to be present during mediation-arbitration conferences. An observer who has been assigned to conduct mediation-arbitrations for OHR may attend for training purposes if both parties to the mediation-arbitration conference concur.

3. Each covered employee is entitled to representation at the conference and either the covered employee or his representative must attend. If neither the covered employee nor his representative attend a conference, the covered employee is deemed to have waived his rights to pursue the appeal further unless there is reasonable justification for the failure to attend the conference. The State Human Resources Director shall determine whether or not reasonable justification exists based on documents submitted by the parties on this issue and based on other information available relating to the conference. Documents submitted by the parties on the issue of reasonable justification must be received by OHR no later than 14 calendar days from the date of the scheduled conference. Denial of reasonable justification by the State Human Resources Director concludes the processing of the covered employee's appeal.

4. If the agency fails to appear at a conference without reasonable justification, the mediator-arbitrator will base an arbitration decision on a review of the documents which have been submitted by each party to the State Human Resources Director and a presentation of the case by the covered employee.

5. The parties or their representatives attending a conference must have full authority to negotiate and recommend settlement.

E. Mediation Phase

1. The mediator-arbitrator has sole authority to determine whether conferences during the mediation phase include the parties with their representatives, jointly or independently.

2. Initially, the mediator-arbitrator will attempt to assist the parties as a mediator in reaching a voluntary mutual resolution of the appeal.

3. The mediation phase cannot be unilaterally ended nor the arbitration phase begun without the permission of the mediator-arbitrator.

4. If the dispute is resolved, the mediator-arbitrator will assist the parties in preparing a written agreement to reflect the terms of the resolution and may consult with the attorney for OHR to assist in drafting the agreement.

F. Arbitration Phase

1. If the mediator-arbitrator determines that the parties are unable to reach a resolution of the appeal by mediation during, but no later than, the 20 calendar days immediately following the initial conference with either or both parties, then the mediator-arbitrator shall notify the parties that the arbitration phase will proceed, as appropriate.

2. Procedures for Arbitration Phase

a. During the arbitration phase, the parties will be allowed to submit to the mediator-arbitrator a concise written summary of the relevant issues involved in the appeal, notarized statements, and other additional documents. The parties must have provided the other party and the mediator-arbitrator with the written summary of relevant issues, any notarized statements from individuals who have knowledge about the issues on appeal, and other related documents concerning the appeal prior to the arbitration conference. The time for the exchange by the parties and submission to the mediator-arbitrator of the written summary of relevant issues, notarized statements, and other related documents will be determined by the mediator-arbitrator.

b. During the arbitration phase, the mediator-arbitrator will allow each party a maximum of two hours to present his appeal, with the covered employee presenting his case first. Either the party or one of his representatives shall be designated as the spokesperson during the conference. No testimony will be allowed and others in attendance will not be allowed to speak or ask questions during the presentation of information. The parties may use the designated time to present any oral arguments concerning the issues on appeal. The covered employee may reserve a portion of the two hours to reply to the agency's contentions. This reply is limited only to information presented orally by the agency and shall not exceed one-half of the total time for the presentation of information. In extenuating circumstances, the mediator-arbitrator may increase or decrease the time each party has to present his appeal at the conference during the arbitration phase.

c. The other party and his representatives may be present when a party presents his appeal during the arbitration phase.

d. Conformity to legal rules of evidence shall not be necessary during the arbitration phase.

e. At any time before the mediator-arbitrator makes a final arbitration decision, the mediation phase may be reopened at his initiative, or at his discretion upon request of a party.

f. The mediator-arbitrator shall transmit to both parties a final written decision based on all documents properly submitted by both parties and the oral arguments presented during the arbitration phase within 45 calendar days after the mediator-arbitrator initially meets with either or both parties. This 45-day period may be extended by the State Human Resources Director under extenuating circumstances. When the expiration of this 45-day period occurs during the seven day waiting period required under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act before a written agreement becomes effective, the State Human Resources Director will extend the 45-day period one day for each day remaining in the seven day waiting period.

g. As a result of this final written decision, either the covered employee or the agency may request reconsideration by the mediator-arbitrator within 30 calendar days from receipt of the decision.

h. The mediator-arbitrator shall request assistance from the attorney for OHR in the preparation of his final written decision and his written response to a request for reconsideration.

G. Confidentiality

1. The conferences with the parties are confidential and limited to the parties and their representatives, but other persons may attend with the permission of the parties and the mediator-arbitrator.

2. The mediator-arbitrator may not be compelled by subpoena or otherwise to divulge any records or discussions or to testify in regard to the mediation-arbitration in any adversary proceeding or judicial forum.

3. All records, reports, documents, discussions, and other information received by the mediator-arbitrator while serving in that capacity are confidential, except the documents which have been submitted by each party shall be the record during appellate review to the Administrative Law Court.

Notes

S.C. Code Regs. § 19-718.08

Added by State Register Volume 26, Issue No. 1, eff January 25, 2002. Amended by State Register Volume 34, Issue No. 5, eff May 28, 2010.