2010 Peer Review Panelist Application Deadline Approaching

For employees interested in volunteering as peer review panelists, there's less than one month left to apply. Applications are being accepted through August 31, 2010 and employees will have another opportunity to apply during a designated time frame in 2011.

Peer review is part of CCA's grievance policy. Panelists hear and decide cases based on disciplinary grievances filed by their peers. These grievances involve issues that result in loss of pay or status, suspension or termination.

"For the peer review process to work, we need your voice and participation," says Mark Floyd, CCA managing director, Employee Relations.

Diane Lionberger, administrative clerk at Mineral Wells Pre-Parole Transfer Facility, was called to participate in a peer review hearing after becoming a volunteer panelist nearly a year ago.

"I gained a sense of accomplishment from serving as a panelist," Lionberger says. "We took all the facts and listened to everybody's side, drew the conclusions, asked the right questions and made a fair judgment call."

Likewise, Mario Guerrero, detention officer at San Diego Correctional Facility, who has also served as a panelist for nearly a year and participated in one hearing, says sitting on a panel gives employees an opportunity to learn and grow – personally and professionally.

"You could learn something you might not know, and you also have a chance to be there for your fellow officers who might need you to listen to them," he says. "You can make a fair judgment on someone's job."

And that's precisely why peer review exists.

“We want to give our employees a voice because this is their company,” says Jim Szychowski, CCA senior manager, Employee Relations. “By participating in the peer review, they have a voice in decisions we make.”

The peer review process was launched companywide nearly one year ago, following a two-year pilot at CCA’s six Arizona facilities. The process has since been utilized at facilities in eight different states, and new volunteers are coming on board.

Each peer review panel consists of five full-time employees who have served in their current role for at least one year and have had no disciplinary actions for 12 months. Following the hearing, the panel deliberates and the majority rule makes a binding determination. Employees selected to serve on each panel are as close as possible to the grievant’s position or job duties.

And now, for the first time, peer review panelists have a way to provide feedback about their experience.

“Beginning this year, panel members have had the opportunity to fill out follow-up surveys regarding their experience,” Szychowski says. “On 100 percent of the surveys, respondents indicate that they would serve on a panel again.”

To apply to become a peer review panelist, employees may contact their facility HR manager.

By DeAndra Mack