ARTICLE 28 - DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Section 1.
A. The parties agree that corrective and disciplinary action, when imposed, shall be implemented in progressive stages from minor to severe. Such action is intended to be from a less severe to more severe corrective action in order to bring about the necessary change in work habits. An employee having successfully completed the required probationary period shall not be discharged; suspended or demoted for disciplinary reasons without just cause.
B. The provisions of this Article shall not be applied in an arbitrary or capricious manner. However, in some circumstances, actions or omissions which have resulted or will result in harm to the institution, academic community or members thereof, may require imposition of severe sanctions in the first instance.
C. Progressive disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to oral reprimand, written reprimand, suspension with pay, suspension without pay, demotion and discharge.
Section 2.
Just cause may include, but shall not be limited to the following with each discipline being treated on a case-by-case basis:
A. Willful neglect or non-performance of one or more assigned duties;
B. Demonstrated incompetence in the performance of one or more assigned duties;
C. Behavior that seriously interferes with the normal operation of the institution, the department or any members of the workforce;
D. Insubordination, which shall mean a refusal to carryon a direct order;
E. Dishonesty in the performance of assigned duties;
F. Chronic absenteeism or tardiness without reasonable excuse;
G. Unauthorized possession or use of alcohol or a non-prescribed controlled substance during any period of assigned work;
H. Institutional theft.
Letters of discipline, which reference the above A through H, shall contain a specific description setting forth the behavior which prompted the imposition of discipline.