GOALS AND STANDARDS. Client service goals and caseload standards are established following discussions and negotiations between the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner; with regional directors; then with area directors; then with unit supervisors; then between unit supervisor and counselors. Disputes at any stage of the process shall be resolved by a meeting between the counselor, unit supervisor and, if necessary, the area director. If the issue remains unresolved, it shall be referred to the regional director. If a review meeting is held at the regional director level, a Union representative may be present if requested by the counselor. If the issue continues to remain unresolved, the Union may submit the issue to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Vocational Rehabilitation for review. The process to establish client service goals and caseload standards is intended to be participatory in nature. The Union is encouraged to alert management regarding instances in which a participatory procedure is not being followed. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as diminishing any of the management's rights as set out in Article 2.
