State HR managers describe Employee Management Committee as grievance forum for non‑bargained state employees, but members fretted over vacancies

Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) staff told the Sunset Committee the Employee Management Committee (EMC) serves as a final administrative grievance forum for permanent classified state employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Deputy Administrator Michelle Garton and supervisory analyst Carrie Hughes described the EMC’s role: administrative support from DHRM, consideration of grievances for employees not in collective bargaining units, and the committee’s limited authority compared with arbitration under collective bargaining agreements. Garton said EMC decisions can be subject to judicial review per statute.

Committee members across parties expressed concern about recruitment and quorum. Garton confirmed DHRM is the primary support for the EMC and that the agency is proactively soliciting applicants and working with the governor’s office on appointments. Several members urged targeted outreach to employee groups and unions to help identify candidates and restore parity between employee and management representation. Members also discussed whether statutory language should be clarified to reflect the advent of state collective bargaining rights and to avoid duplication of remedies.

Provenance: DHRM staff presentation and committee questioning.