Wiki: ET Staff Recall Protocol

[Hentenza]

The purpose of this wiki is to develop rules applicable to the recall of staff in the ET congregational forums. This rule will supersede the site wide staff recall rule.

[Hentenza]

Hi Guys,

Lets develop a fair and equitable recall process that applies to all staff in ET. No other site staff will be subject to this process.

God Bless
Henry

[GreenMunchkin]

Ok :)

I guess first question is will recalls be ET-wide, or forum specific? So, for example, could all of ET vote on my recall, or would only CC get to vote?

Next: Can anyone initiate the recall process, or does it have to be someone that belongs to the forum we're modding?

Process: A mod needs to have been counselled and warned... maybe 2 official warnings before someone can initiate the process?

70% seems to be the magic number, so 70% need to vote yes to have someone recalled. Poll is better than a petition. That always struck me as slightly cruel somehow.

[DarylFawcett]

As thr election of a moderator needs a nomination and a second, plus a supporting moderator, then the reverse should be the same with two members plus one of the moderators supporting the recall before it goes to a poll. I would also say a pre-poll discussion thread on the recall might be ok.

What do you all think about that?

[flaglady]

I suggest the following: (this is off the top of my head and may therefore be somewhat random!!)
recall proceedings cannot preempt disciplinary proceedings* by senior staff
recall can only be based upon violations of existing rules and staff protocols not on opinion based allegations such as "poor judgment"
instances of "poor judgment" and like problems are matters for staff training and disciplinary issues and will be addressed by senior staff. However, members are at liberty to present a complaint to senior staff via pm if they feel such may be the case
on receipt of such a complaint, Congregational senior staff will conference and reach a decision upon action which will be considered without fear or favour. A consensus of 50% of existing senior staff will be necessary to decide upon disciplinary action.
all Congregational Forum Moderators and Admins will be involved in the discussion, denomination notwithstanding (i.e. Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic - numbering 10 on this date)
recall of a Congregational moderator can be initiated only by members of the assigned forum(s)
poll(s) being raised to further the recall will only be open to votes in the forum(s) in which the moderator was elected
since 70% was the minimum requirement for election, so it should also be for recall
staff who have been terminated as a result of disciplinary proceedings or recall will not be permitted to run for election in any other Congregational forum for at least 6 months (personally I would prefer 1 year)






*Disciplinary procedures: will be in line with industrial disciplinary procedures which are as follows:
3 episodes of informal counselling by immediate supervisor
first disciplinary interview with supervisor and admin with first official Letter of Correction
second disciplinary interview with supervisor and admin with second official Letter of Correction
third disciplinary interview with letter of termination
where possible the same supervisors and admins will be involved throughout the process to ensure continuity

[flaglady]

As thr election of a moderator needs a nomination and a second, plus a supporting moderator, then the reverse should be the same with two members plus one of the moderators supporting the recall before it goes to a poll. I would also say a pre-poll discussion thread on the recall might be ok.

What do you all think about that?

We've never actually used the seconder option, only the staff nominator.

[LilLamb219]

Could we add counseling given somewhere in the disciplinary actions?

[pdudgeon]

and could the discipline section be set up to mirror that of foru.ms so that there is no question of favoritism or secrecy involved?
if we're going to separate this from the regular proceedings, then the rest of the site members should be assured that the same quality of procedures will be enacted and upheld as would be if the discipline were site-wide.

[flaglady]

Could we add counseling given
somewhere in the disciplinary actions?

If you look at the first item on the Disciplinary procedure list, the first three interviews are counselling.


and could the discipline section be set up to mirror that of foru.ms so that there is no question of favoritism or secrecy involved?
if we're going to separate this from the regular proceedings, then the rest of the site members should be assured that the same quality of procedures will be enacted and upheld as would be if the discipline were site-wide.

Any suggestions as to how that could be achieved, Pam? Want to outline some specifics? Mine are only suggestions.

I think this is a much higher standard than that currently employed by the site-wide protocols.

[LilLamb219]

If you look at the first item on the Disciplinary procedure list, the first three interviews are counselling.


Not everyone will read it that way though.

[flaglady]

Just for interest, here are the protocols of the main CF recall Wiki

Attempt Conflict Resolution

If any members of Foru.ms feel that a moderator, supermoderator, or administrator ("staff member" or any staff member, including superadmins) isn't working out, one of these members should first PM them in an attempt to work out differences and reach an understanding. (Very often resolution can be reached at this point, as miscommunication causes most problems.) This member is considered the "initiator" of the recall process.

If direct one on one contact with the staff member in question fails to produce the desired results, the member (initiator) must then contact both the staff member in question and the staff members immediate superior to attempt to work out the differences and reach an understanding with a witness chosen by the staff member in question.

If no solution or understanding is reached to the satisfaction of the initiator the member must then contact the pastoral team and attempt mediation and reconciliation under the direction of a Chaplain on staff.
If no resolution or willingness/desire to change in actions/behavior by Staffer in question, is seen or known to the "initiator" and/or the initiator desires to proceed with recall process the inititator can initiate the recall process on the day after the chaplain mediation ends.

Collect Signatures

The initiator will begin a petition via PM, collecting at least 15 signatures. Petitions must include a statement of recall, which outlines in general terms the behaviour and/or actions the staff member is alleged to have done.

Notice of Intent to Recall

The initiator will send a PM to the staff member they want to recall, with a cc to that staff member's immediate superior (Supermod if the staff member is a Moderator, Administrator if a Supermod, and Review Committee if an elected staffer, such as Admin. Any staffer below the level of superadmin is NOT precluded from recall process regardless of their title (as titles change) Also, due to constant change in Foru.ms any staffer below the level of superadmin is not precluded from recall process whether voted in, or elected, or however they got their position.

The PM will contain the recall statement, and names of the signers. This gives the staff member a chance to respond to the recall statement, and indicate a willingness to work with their superior or Review Committee if Admin, and the initiator to reconcile their differences without it going further.

At this point, the staff member's immediate superior or Review Committe if Amin should be cc'd on all PMs, and all PMs pertaining to the recall will become part of the recall record.

Recall Record

If the staff member and the initiator are not able to resolve the conflict to the satisfaction of the petitioners, the initiator will continue the recall process by creating a recall thread in rules/discussion forum or a forum created for recalls.

This record will include:
the recall statement,
the petition and signatures,
the Notice of Intent to Recall,
any further PMs between the initiator, the Admin (or RC), and the staff member. (any rules governing pm's are waived so those pms mentioned may be publicly posted)
Also included should be links to any supporting evidence, like a staff review thread, report threads, etc.
The staff member also should post any support for their version of events. Recall Election Poll

After at least five days for people to discuss the recall in the recall record thread, the initiator will create a poll in the same forum as above, with a repeat of the recall statement and a link to the recall record.

Verify Election Results

When the poll is closed after seven days, the Election Manager will be asked to verify the poll results.

If the vote of 70% is attained, then the staff member will be dismissed from staff with thanks for services rendered. Otherwise, he/she will remain and serve as before.

A staff member who is dismissed through recall, or who resigns with a recall pending, may not reapply to become staff or voted on to staff for the next 6 months.

If the staff member who resigns with a recall pending later reapplies for staff, the recall will be re-opened and resume as soon as they are elected or appointed to staff. If voting on the recall poll had already commenced at the time the staff member resigned, voting will be re-opened and will remain open for an additional seven days.

Nullification

Any attempt to bypass or avoid any step of this process will result in the recall being nullified and require the process be restarted from step one.

[flaglady]

Not everyone will read it that way though.

:confused: It says "3 episodes of informal counselling by immediate supervisor" - how can that be misread?

Why don't you have a go at rewriting it in a way you think it won't be misunderstood.

[Hentenza]

Ok :)

I guess first question is will recalls be ET-wide, or forum specific? So, for example, could all of ET vote on my recall, or would only CC get to vote?

Next: Can anyone initiate the recall process, or does it have to be someone that belongs to the forum we're modding?

Process: A mod needs to have been counselled and warned... maybe 2 official warnings before someone can initiate the process?

70% seems to be the magic number, so 70% need to vote yes to have someone recalled. Poll is better than a petition. That always struck me as slightly cruel somehow.

My opinion is that every ET staff be involved in calling for a recall but only the members that elected the staff member be allowed to vote in the recall poll.
In the interest of fairness I think that any ET member should have the right to bring a complaint against a member of ET staff.
I agree with 2 warnings but I also think that there should be not only counseling by the staff member's supervisor but also by a chaplain if it gets that far.
I agree with the 70% poll result.
:wave:

I suggest the following: (this is off the top of my head and may therefore be somewhat random!!)
recall proceedings cannot preempt disciplinary proceedings* by senior staffAbsolutely!!!!

recall can only be based upon violations of existing rules and staff protocols not on opinion based allegations such as "poor judgment"Absolutely!!!

instances of "poor judgment" and like problems are matters for staff training and disciplinary issues and will be addressed by senior staff. However, members are at liberty to present a complaint to senior staff via pm if they feel such may be the caseI think that this should read as any member of ET Congregational Forums can present a complaint to senior ET staff via pm.

on receipt of such a complaint, Congregational senior staff will conference and reach a decision upon action which will be considered without fear or favour. A consensus of 50% of existing senior staff will be necessary to decide upon disciplinary action.A 50% consensus is not adequate because that would mean that 50% are also against it. I think that the 70% number is more equitable. Also this needs further defining to clarify when this consensus is needed. I think that once the initial complaint is received by a senior staff member that the disciplinary steps should be initiated in the order listed.

all Congregational Forum Moderators and Admins will be involved in the discussion, denomination notwithstanding (i.e. Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic - numbering 10 on this date)Absolutely!!

recall of a Congregational moderator can be initiated only by members of the assigned forum(s)Needs defining. If the members of their assign forum are the ones responsible for generating the recall ten ho do the other steps incorporate. Is this refering to the rcall poll only or to the proceedings?

poll(s) being raised to further the recall will only be open to votes in the forum(s) in which the moderator was electedYes. The only question is if we want to allow the complainant to vote or discuss in the thread.

since 70% was the minimum requirement for election, so it should also be for recallAbsolutely.

staff who have been terminated as a result of disciplinary proceedings or recall will not be permitted to run for election in any other Congregational forum for at least 6 months (personally I would prefer 1 year)I agree to the 1 year time frame. It seems reasonable.


*Disciplinary procedures: will be in line with industrial disciplinary procedures which are as follows:
3 episodes of informal counselling by immediate supervisor3 seems like a lot. IRL is usually one or two.

first disciplinary interview with supervisor and admin with first official Letter of CorrectionYes

second disciplinary interview with supervisor and admin with second official Letter of CorrectionI think at this point we should include pastoral counseling.

third disciplinary interview with letter of terminationIs this letter of termination what begins the recall poll?

where possible the same supervisors and admins will be involved throughout the process to ensure continuityAbsolutely.


My comments are in blue.:wave:



and could the discipline section be set up to mirror that of foru.ms so that there is no question of favoritism or secrecy involved?
if we're going to separate this from the regular proceedings, then the rest of the site members should be assured that the same quality of procedures will be enacted and upheld as would be if the discipline were site-wide.

Hi Pam,
Are you refering to the following?

Staff Disciplinary Issues
All staff discipline should be done by the immediate manager: Discipline of mods and supermods goes to Team Leaders. Discipline of Admins and Superadmins goes to the CEO via the Review Committee as he sees fit.

Documentation should only be retained for a duration of a probation (60 days is recommended)
Any part of the documentation/case, must not be used against the staff member again, once the probation expired. All documentation needs to be made available for public viewing.

Counseling - Direct managers should send a counseling PM as official documentation and change request for a disciplinary issue.

Reprimand - Direct managers should send a Letter of Reprimand after two counseling PMs, or in the case of an egregious issue. Staff have the right to appeal any Letters of Reprimand to next level of staff. If they appeal the LOR, there must be open and full communication during the appeal giving staff the same right to a defense any member would be given. If a staff member receives two LORs within one year, the Standard Removal Procedure begins.

Standard Removal Procedures - Mods, Supermods, and Admins may be removed by the Recall Process (http://www.christianforums.com/t5679901-wiki-recall-of-moderators.html). Superadmins are removed by the CEO.

Emergency Removal Procedures - Serious problems including but not restricted to: threats of harm, site hacking, release of personal information (of members or staff), stalking or harassment - can result in the decision for immediate and unconditional removal from staff. This decision is made by Team Leader (in the case of a mod/supermod) or CEO (in the case of an admin or superadmin).

[flaglady]

I suggest the following: (this is off the top of my head and may therefore be somewhat random!!)
instances of "poor judgment" and like problems are matters for staff training and disciplinary issues and will be addressed by senior staff. However, members are at liberty to present a complaint to senior staff via pm if they feel such may be the caseI think that this should read as any member of ET Congregational Forums can present a complaint to senior ET staff via pm.

precisely


on receipt of such a complaint, Congregational senior staff will conference and reach a decision upon action which will be considered without fear or favour. A consensus of 50% of existing senior staff will be necessary to decide upon disciplinary action.A 50% consensus is not adequate because that would mean that 50% are also against it. I think that the 70% number is more equitable. Also this needs further defining to clarify when this consensus is needed. I think that once the initial complaint is received by a senior staff member that the disciplinary steps should be initiated in the order listed.

true - my bad!! but remember we currently have only 10 senior staff anyway, and it is highly unlikely that more than 50% of them will take part meaning a panel of 5 or 6. not that it shouldn't be as you suggest but we are still talking about 4 votes.


recall of a Congregational moderator can be initiated only by members of the assigned forum(s)Needs defining. If the members of their assign forum are the ones responsible for generating the recall then how do the other steps incorporate. Is this referring to the recall poll only or to the proceedings?

to the recall as it says.

poll(s) being raised to further the recall will only be open to votes in the forum(s) in which the moderator was electedYes. The only question is if we want to allow the complainant to vote or discuss in the thread.

good point




*Disciplinary procedures: will be in line with industrial disciplinary procedures which are as follows:
3 episodes of informal counselling by immediate supervisor3 seems like a lot. IRL is usually one or two.

Not in the UK industrial setting. In fact, there can be an indeterminate number of such counselling sessions on the decision of the managers


second disciplinary interview with supervisor and admin with second official Letter of CorrectionI think at this point we should include pastoral counseling.

good point which I forgot!! Though I might also like to see them involved in the informal counselling stage if desired

third disciplinary interview with letter of terminationIs this letter of termination what begins the recall poll?

I saw these two procedures as being separate - senior staff can take action up to and including dismissal under the Disciplinary procedure whilst members can act with the recall procedure and with requesting intervention from senior staff.



My comments are in blue.:wave:


FL - Mine are in red!!

[flaglady]

and could the discipline section be set up to mirror that of foru.ms so that there is no question of favoritism or secrecy involved?
if we're going to separate this from the regular proceedings, then the rest of the site members should be assured that the same quality of procedures will be enacted and upheld as would be if the discipline were site-wide.



Staff Disciplinary Issues
All staff discipline should be done by the immediate manager:

Discipline of mods and supermods goes to Team Leaders.

Discipline of Admins and Superadmins goes to the CEO via the Review Committee as he sees fit.

Documentation should only be retained for a duration of a probation (60 days is recommended)

Any part of the documentation/case, must not be used against the staff member again, once the probation expired. All documentation needs to be made available for public viewing. (where?)

Counseling - Direct managers should send a counseling PM as official documentation and change request for a disciplinary issue.

Reprimand - Direct managers should send a Letter of Reprimand after two counseling PMs, or in the case of an egregious issue. Staff have the right to appeal any Letters of Reprimand to next level of staff. If they appeal the LOR, there must be open and full communication during the appeal giving staff the same right to a defense any member would be given. If a staff member receives two LORs within one year, the Standard Removal Procedure begins.

Standard Removal Procedures - Mods, Supermods, and Admins may be removed by the Recall Process (http://www.christianforums.com/t5679901-wiki-recall-of-moderators.html). Superadmins are removed by the CEO.

Apart from some minor adjustments, this is where my suggestion departs from the site protocol. I think there are circumstances where senior staff need to be able to terminate a staffer's position without recourse to the members' being polled. Though perhaps such occurrences might be covered by the emergency removal procedures as below....


Emergency Removal Procedures - Serious problems including but not restricted to: threats of harm, site hacking, release of personal information (of members or staff), stalking or harassment - can result in the decision for immediate and unconditional removal from staff. This decision is made by Team Leader (in the case of a mod/supermod) or CEO (in the case of an admin or superadmin).

[Tishri1]

Tish's idea:
what if the member who want the recal held the recall in the forum(s) of the staff member so the members could hear the record and THEY would buy it or not and THEY would vote not non members of that forum(s)
T1
......................................
The only recall procedure that makes any kind of sense from the perspective of fairness is that only the voters eligible to elect shall be the voters eligible to recall. I am a registered voter in my home town. This does not give me the right to come to your town and vote to recall your mayor.

Peter
....................................................................................
I am not opposed to having a recall policy, however, only the membership that voted the staff in should be allowed to vote in a recall poll. Also, if a staff gets this bad, we need to have something in place to expedite a disciplinary action before it gets to a recall. I am of the opinion that the review committee, with some streamlining, can be well suited for that purpose. Henry
Hi All,

I started a wiki in ET rules discussion to allow us to develop our own staff recall protocol. Under the site wide rule 1.5 all forums have the right to be autonomous and develop their own rules. The wiki is located here (http://foru.ms/t6284716-wiki-et-staff-recall-protocol.html#post39883000). I did not have much time today to develop ideas for the wiki but I still wanted to open it so that we can start discussions.
Please participate so that this protocol can be develop expeditiously.

Sorry LT but we can't burn the wiki just yet.:D

God Bless
Henry

.....................................................................................................................
Can I draw this header to your attention? Right above the Wiki index

First of all, staff recall should be a rare occurrence. If a staffer isn't working out, the hope would be that their superior would take action, either by counseling, training or removing the staffer. If for some reason that this doesn't happen, then the community has the right to recall the staff member.

So is this be the case, and the senior staff don't do their job, only then would the members be free to act. Perhaps what we need to do is get that bit refined and posted more obviously as a first run kind of protocol and being the predominant section with the membership being a kind of back up fail-safe.

I would also like to point out that this was exactly what Adiya was trying to do before we jumped all over her for not communicating with us first.

Rum business, huh!

**goes back to read the Wiki more closely**

Jo
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BURN THE WIKI!!! http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/1003/flamexh0.gif
LT
......................................................
Hello,

I agree with the idea Congregation Mods should only amenable to their congregation and superiors in the Mod hierarchy. Recalls should only be determinable by those who elected a given Mod. I also think 70% in agreement should be the standard for any recall action to proceed as this was the percentage that elected the mod.
Orontes
.................................................................................
Okay it is looking pretty good for me. Anyone can accuse anyone else of wreaking havoc with enough votes but only those they effect/who vote them in can boot them out.

Thanks Tish
bananna
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[pdudgeon]

Quote:
Originally Posted by pdudgeon
and could the discipline section be set up to mirror that of foru.ms so that there is no question of favoritism or secrecy involved?
if we're going to separate this from the regular proceedings, then the rest of the site members should be assured that the same quality of procedures will be enacted and upheld as would be if the discipline were site-wide.

Any suggestions as to how that could be achieved, Pam? Want to outline some specifics? Mine are only suggestions.


Jo, in regards to the recall of a staff member,the only thing i can think of would be a set up similar to the review board, where a separate thread is opened (in this case it would be in the Ecumenical team staff forum) to discuss among the supers and admins.

in the case of the first and second episodes of discipline Pm's between the supers and admins with the staff member in question being CC'd should be sufficient. those same Pm's could be presented if a recall was found to be necessary.

something else i'd like to see in the discipline section would be if a staff member is counseled twice within a 6 month period that their status revert back to that of a trainee mod under supervision for 30 days, after which they could be restored to full staff.