Notice and Procedure Promptly after the Indemnified Party receives any claim or notice of the commencement of any action, administrative or legal proceeding, or investigation as to which the indemnity provided for in Sections 23.1 through 23.3 may apply, the Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of such fact; provided, however, that the rights of the Indemnified Party shall not be forfeited by the failure to give the Indemnifying Party notice to the extent that said failure does not have a material and adverse effect on the defense of the matter. The Indemnifying Party shall assume on behalf of the Indemnified Party, and conduct with due diligence and in good faith, the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any such action or investigation unless approved by the Indemnified Party (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the Indemnified Party shall have the right to be represented in any such action or investigation by advisory counsel of its own selection and at its own expense, and (b) if the Indemnified Party shall have reasonably concluded that (i) there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from, or additional to, or inconsistent with, those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (ii) there exists a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party, then, in either case, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to select separate counsel to participate in the defense of such action on its own behalf and the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnified Party for the fees and expenses of such separate counsel. If any claim, action, proceeding or investigation arises as to which the indemnity provided for in Section 23.1, 23.2 or 23.3 applies and the Indemnifying Party fails to assume the defense of such claim, action, proceeding or investigation, then the Indemnified Party may, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, contest or settle such claim, and the Indemnifying Party shall remain obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party for any and all losses, damages, and liability (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses) associated therewith. The payment of the indemnity pursuant to this Section 23.5 shall not be predicated on the Indemnified Party having made payment on any suit, action, loss, damage, claim or liability.
Formal Procedure No different or additional Work or contractual obligations will be authorized or performed unless contemplated within the Scope of Work and memorialized in an amendment or modification of the Contract that is executed in compliance with this Article. No waiver of any term, covenant, or condition of the Contract will be valid unless executed in compliance with this Article. Contractor will not be entitled to payment for Work that is not authorized by a properly executed Contract amendment or modification, or through the express written authorization of HHSC. Any changes to the Contract that results in a change to either the term, fees, or significantly impacting the obligations of the parties to the Contract must be effectuated by a formal Amendment to the Contract. Such Amendment must be signed by the appropriate and duly authorized representative of each party in order to have any effect.
Mediation Procedure The Chairman shall promptly advise the parties of a scheduled Mediation Hearing date. Unless a party requests an expedited procedure, or unless all parties to the proceeding agree to one or more extensions of time, the Mediation Hearing set forth below shall be completed within forty (40) days of BCBSA's receipt of the Complaint. The selected mediators, unless the parties otherwise agree, shall adhere to the following procedure: i. Each party must be represented by its CEO or other representative who has been delegated full authority to resolve the dispute. However, parties may send additional representatives as they see fit. ii. By no later than five (5) days prior to the date designated for the Mediation Hearing, each party shall supply and serve a list of all persons who will be attending the Mediation Hearing, and indicate who will have the authority to resolve the dispute. iii. Each party will be given one-half hour to present its case, beginning with the complaining party (or parties), followed by the other party or parties. The parties are free to structure their presentations as they see fit, using oral statements or direct examination of witnesses. However, neither cross- examination nor questioning of opposing representatives will be permitted. At the close of each presentation, the selected mediators will be given an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and witnesses. All parties must be present throughout the Mediation Hearing. The selected mediators may extend the time allowed for each party's presentation at the Mediation Hearing. The selected mediators may meet in executive session, outside the presence of the parties, or may meet with the parties separately, to discuss the controversy. iv. After the close of the presentations, the parties will attempt to negotiate a settlement of the dispute. If the parties desire, the selected mediators, or any one or more of the selected mediators, will sit in on the negotiations. v. After the close of the presentations, the selected mediators may meet privately to agree upon a recommendation for resolution of the dispute which would be submitted to the parties for their consideration and approval. If the parties have previously agreed to be bound by the results of this procedure, this recommendation shall be binding upon the parties. vi. The purpose of the Mediation Hearing is to assist the parties to settle their grievances short of mandatory dispute resolution. As a result, the Mediation Hearing has been designed to be as informal as possible. Rules of evidence shall not apply. There will be no transcript of the proceedings, and no party may make a tape recording of the Mediation Hearing. vii. In order to facilitate a free and open discussion, the Mediation proceeding shall remain confidential. A "Stipulation to Confidentiality" which prohibits future use of settlement offers, all position papers or other statements furnished to the selected mediators, and decisions or recommendations in any Mediation proceeding shall be executed by each party. viii. Upon request of the selected mediators, or one of the parties, BCBSA staff may also submit documentation at any time during the proceedings.
Informal Procedure A complaint may be presented informally to the administrator whose decision or action is being contested.
Evaluation Procedure 6.1.1 The established evaluation form is to be prepared by the immediate supervisor under whom the bargaining unit member has served for sixty (60) working days or more. (See evaluation form attached as Appendix B.) The immediate supervisor is to present a draft of an evaluation report to the bargaining unit member in private and discuss the report with the bargaining unit member being evaluated. The evaluation shall be based upon direct observation by the immediate supervisor or verified facts. Evaluation reports reflecting “Needs Improvement” or “Does not meet standards” ratings shall include statements of deficiencies and recommendations for improvements, in writing, by the evaluator. The signature by the bargaining unit member does not indicate the employee’s agreement with the ratings; it indicates that the employee has received a copy. 6.1.1.1 Permanent employees shall be evaluated annually. 6.1.1.2 Probationary employees shall be evaluated at least once during the probationary period, prior to the end of the fourth month. 6.1.2 Evaluation reports reflecting “Needs Improvement” or “Does Not Meet Standards” ratings shall be placed in the bargaining unit member’s personnel file only after written notification by the supervisor that the bargaining unit member has been given an opportunity to prepare a written response to such evaluation. Prior to evaluation reports reflecting any “Needs Improvement” or “Does Not Meet Standards” ratings the evaluator is encouraged to implement a Performance Improvement Plan. (See Performance Improvement Plan form attached as Appendix C.) 6.1.3 A bargaining unit member has the right to attach a response to the employee’s evaluation provided that such written response is submitted to the employee's supervisor within fifteen (15) days of the employee's receipt of the evaluation. Any timely received response shall be attached to, and become a permanent part of, the employee's evaluation. 6.1.4 Evaluatees may, within ten (10) working days, present the employee’s objections to the evaluation decision to the Director Personnel Services. Grounds for the objections shall be based on one or more of the following: (1) the evaluation was not based on fact; (2) the evaluation was based on discriminatory standards; (3) the evaluation was not conducted in conformance with this Article. Within ten (10) working days of receipt of such objection the Director Personnel Services shall hear the objections and render a decision whether to uphold the evaluation or rescind the evaluation. 6.1.5 The bargaining unit member's supervisor may, at any time, prepare a notice of commendation. The completed form is to be signed by the bargaining unit member to indicate receipt and the bargaining unit member shall be given a signed copy. The original notice is to be forwarded to the Personnel Services Office for filing. 6.1.6 Contents of evaluations are not subject to the grievance procedure of this Agreement, Article VII, but procedural violations are subject to the grievance procedure. 6.1.7 The probation period shall be defined as the initial six (6) month employment period. 6.1.8 In the event a permanent bargaining unit member is hired for a new position, and is subsequently released from probation under section 6.1.7, the employee will be returned to the employee’s previous classification. 6.1.9 The District, CSEA and the bargaining unit member may mutually agree to extend the probationary period of a bargaining unit member on an individual basis provided the extension is no longer than four (4) months.