GRIEVANCE Policy

• Adapted from Sea Dragon swim club grievance policy (Niagra swimming)

May 2, 2022 updated

The Laurel East Hartford YMCA Swim Team Grievance Policy outlines guidance and procedures to give swimmers, parents, coaches, club leadership, and employees a way to address and report grievances in a productive, systematic way that allows the appropriate parties to investigate and intervene, and take disciplinary action when needed.  

There are occasions when a problem arises in a club, for example fighting or bullying, where immediate action is required. A temporary suspension or exclusion from a single training session can be given by the coaches. A report should then be made, within 24 hours, to the club president, who then should report back to the board, who should follow the procedures outlined below.

With the exception of issues that immediately effect the health and safety of swimmers, all matters should be discussed before or after a coaching session and coaches should not be expected to deal with issues during water time.

If your concern relates to inappropriate behavior or activity that includes but is not limited to the following:

• Criminal activity
• Use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs
• Physical abuse
• Inappropriate touching
• Coaches sharing hotel rooms with athletes
• Rubdowns or massages performed by coaches
• Pictures and or videos taken in locker rooms or changing areas
• Violations of USA Swimming’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)

Please report the incident immediately to SafeSport.  You can reach out to Connecticut Swimming Safe Sport Chairperson, Greg Pinchback, at [email protected]  or USA Swimming SafeSport Director Elizabeth Hahn at [email protected]  Anonymous reporting can be completed https://fs22.formsite.com/usaswimming/form10/index.html

If your concern relates to sexual misconduct, sexual harassment or sexually explicit communication through any media, please contact the U.S Center for SafeSport to make a report immediately.  You can report your concern online or call 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233).  More information can be found at www.uscenterforsafesport.org. 

Any concerns dealing with deception or recruiting should be directed to the Eastern Zone Board of Review at [email protected]. 

TYPES OF GRIEVANCES

1. Swimmer conduct
2. Assistant or Age Group Coach Conduct
3. Head Coach Conduct
4. USA Swim Official or swim team parent conduct

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF A GRIEVANCE (The Grievance Chain-of-Command)

Regarding the Conduct of a Swimmer - Contact the swimmer’s coach

Should a parent or swimmer feel another swimmer’s conduct is inappropriate or violates the Athlete Code of Conduct, the parent/swimmer should discuss these concerns with the coach of the swimmer responsible for the violation (Responsible Coach). This complaint should be made in person or in writing.  Coaches will ensure that the EH YMCA Executive Director is notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.

Regarding the Conduct of an Assistant or Age Group Coach - Contact the Head Coach

Should a parent or swimmer feel an Assistant or Age Group Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or in violation of any club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.  The Head Coach will ensure that the EH YMCA Executive Director is notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.

Regarding Conduct of Head Coach – Notify the Executive Director of the EH YMCA 

Should a parent or swimmer feel the Head Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Executive Director of the EH YMCA of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.   If the Executive Director is not immediately available, this complaint may be presented to the Greater Hartford YMCA executive offices. 

Regarding Parent or Swim Official Conduct - Notify the Head Coach and Board President

Should a parent or swimmer feel another LEHY parent’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach who will notify the Executive Director of the EH YMCA in person or in writing.

HOW GRIEVANCES WILL BE HANDLED

The Executive Director of the EH YMCA will have the authority to impose penalties for infractions of the LEHY Swim Team, Parent and Coaches Codes of Conduct or any behavior(s) they deem not conducive to the best interests of the club or other swimmers. Consequences are at the sole discretion of the coaches and/or Executive Director of the East Hartford YMCA and may include, but aren’t limited to, verbal warnings, dismissal from practice, contacting parents, and expulsion. USA Swimming and local law enforcement (if applicable) will be contacted within 24 hours if a coach, parent or swimmer violates the USA Swimming Code of Conduct, Athlete Protection Policy, or local laws.

1. Gathering Information: The appropriate individuals will reach out to the person who filed the grievance and the person against whom the grievance is being filed to ask questions about what happened. Other witnesses may be contacted for more information, as well.  All information will be recorded on the East Hartford YMCA Incident Report form. 
2. Assessing Behavior: The behavior of the person(s) against which the grievance was brought will be assessed using club policies and facility rules, USA Swimming Code of Conduct, USA Swimming Safe Sport policies, and applicable local and state laws.  CT Swimming Safe Sport Chairperson Greg Pinchback will be notified of the incident.
3. Consequences will be given and disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate. These consequences and disciplinary actions will be decided using the following general guidelines: 
   1. Nature of the misconduct
   2. Severity of the misconduct
   3. Prior disciplinary actions
   4. Adverse effect of the misconduct
   5. Application of the Code of Conduct