DAR File No. 42821

Human Resource Management, Administration

Rule R477-16

Abusive Conduct Prevention

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 42821
Filed: 04/18/2018 09:13:04 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of these amendments are to clarify language and add provisions responsive to H.B. 383 passed during the 2018 General Session.

Summary of the rule or change:

These changes clarify Section R477-16-1 to be more in line with statute and add provisions to Sections R477-16-3 and R477-16-4 to enact provisions of H.B. 383 (2018).

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 67-19-44
• Section 67-19-6

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

These amendments are not expected to have any fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures because these changes are administrative in nature and do not impact budgets.

local governments:

These amendments are not expected to have any fiscal impact on local governments because this rule only applies to the executive branch of state government.

small businesses:

These amendments are not expected to have any fiscal impact on small businesses because this rule only applies to the executive branch of state government.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

These amendments are not expected to have any fiscal impact on other persons because this rule only applies to the executive branch of state government.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no direct compliance costs for these amendments. This rule only affects the executive branch of state government and will have no impact on other persons. This rule has no financial impact on state employees.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that these proposed rule changes will not result in a fiscal impact to businesses. Rules published by the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) have no direct affect on businesses or any entity outside state government. DHRM has authority to write rules only to the extent allowed by the "Utah Personnel Management Act," Title 67, Chapter 19. This act limits the provisions of career service and this rule to employees of the executive branch of state government.

Jeff Mulitalo, Interim Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Human Resource Management
Administration
Room 2120 STATE OFFICE BLDG
450 N MAIN ST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-1201

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Bryan Embley at the above address, by phone at 801-538-3069, by FAX at , or by Internet E-mail at bkembley@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

06/14/2018

Interested persons may attend a public hearing regarding this rule:

• 06/07/2018 11:00 AM, Senate Building, 420 N State Street, Kletting Room, Salt Lake City, UT

This rule may become effective on:

07/01/2018

Authorized by:

Jeff Mulitalo, Acting Director

Appendix 1: Regulatory Impact Summary Table*

Fiscal Costs	FY 2018	FY 2019	FY 2020
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Person	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Costs:	$0	$0	$0
Fiscal Benefits
State Government	$0	$0	$0
Local Government	$0	$0	$0
Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Non-Small Businesses	$0	$0	$0
Other Persons	$0	$0	$0
Total Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0
Net Fiscal Benefits:	$0	$0	$0

 

*This table only includes fiscal impacts that could be measured. If there are inestimable fiscal impacts, they will not be included in this table. Inestimable impacts for State Government, Local Government, Small Businesses and Other Persons are described in the narrative. Inestimable impacts for Non-Small Businesses are described in Appendix 2.

 

Appendix 2: Regulatory Impact to Non-Small Businesses

These amendments are not expected to have any fiscal impact on small business revenues or expenditures, because this rule only applies to the executive branch of state government.

 

 

R477. Human Resource Management, Administration.

R477-16. Abusive Conduct Prevention.

R477-16-1. Policy.

It is the policy of the State of Utah to provide a work environment free from abusive conduct.

(1) Abusive conduct includes physical, verbal or nonverbal conduct, such as derogatory remarks, insults, or epithets made by an employee that a reasonable person would determine:

(a) was intended to cause intimidation, humiliation, or unwarranted distress;

(b) exploits a known physical or psychological disability; or

(c) results in substantial physical or psychological harm caused by intimidation, humiliation or unwarranted distress.

(2) [A single act does]The following actions do not constitute abusive conduct unless [it is]they are especially severe and egregious :[.]

[(3) Abusive conduct does not include:

](a) a single act;

(b) appropriate disciplinary or administrative actions;

([b]c) appropriate coaching or work-related feedback;

([c]d) reasonable work assignments or job reassignments; or

([d]e) reasonable differences in styles of management, communication, expression , or opinion.

([4]3) An employee may be subject to discipline under this rule even if the conduct occurs outside of scheduled work time or work location.

([5]4) Once a complaint of abusive conduct has been filed, the accused may not communicate with the complainant regarding allegations in the complaint.

 

R477-16-2. Complaint Procedure.

Management shall permit employees who allege abusive conduct to file complaints and engage in a review process free from bias, collusion, intimidation or retaliation.

(1) Employees who feel they are being subjected to abusive conduct should do the following:

(a) document the occurrence;

(b) continue to report to work; and

(c) identify a witness(es), if applicable

(2) An employee shall file a written complaint of abusive conduct with their immediate supervisor, any other supervisor in their direct chain of command, or the Department of Human Resource Management, including the agency human resource field office.

(a) Complaints may be submitted by any employee, witness, volunteer or other individual.

(b) Any supervisor who has knowledge of abusive conduct shall take immediate, appropriate action in consultation with DHRM and document the action.

 

R477-16-3. Investigative Procedure.

(1) When warranted, investigations shall be conducted based on DHRM standards and business practices.

(2) Results of Investigation

(a) If an investigation finds the allegations of abusive conduct to be sustained, agency management shall take appropriate administrative action.

(b) If an investigation reveals evidence of criminal conduct in abusive conduct allegations, the agency head or Executive Director, DHRM, may refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(c) At the conclusion of the investigation, the appropriate parties shall be notified of investigative findings and procedure to request an administrative review of findings pursuant to Utah Code Section 67-19a-501.

(3) Participants in any abusive conduct investigation shall treat all information pertaining to the case as confidential.

 

R477-16-4. Abusive Conduct Training.

(1) DHRM shall provide employees and supervisors training on the prevention of abusive conduct.

(a) Training shall include information regarding what constitutes abusive conduct, how to prevent it, [and ]options available under rule, and grievance procedures provided by Utah Code Section 67-19a.

(b) Agencies shall ensure employees complete training [upon]within a reasonable time after hire and at least every two years thereafter.

(c) Training records shall be submitted to DHRM including who provided the training, who attended the training and when they attended it.

 

KEY: abusive conduct, administrative procedures, hostile work environment

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 1, 2017]2018

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 67-19-6; 67-19-44