Employee Relations

California’s Workplace Know Your Rights Act (SB 294) mandates that all California employers provide employees with a written notice detailing their fundamental workplace and constitutional rights.

The goal of this Act is to empower all workers, regardless of immigration status, by ensuring they are aware of their protections under the law.

The official 2026 California's WorkplaceKnow Your Rights notice covers several key areas of protection and rights:

• Protection Against Retaliation: It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for exercising any of your workplace rights, such as filing a complaint or discussing work conditions with coworkers.
• Immigration-Related Protections: You are protected against unfair immigration-related practices by your employer, including threats to report you or your family to immigration authorities or the misuse of the E-Verify system.
• Union and Protected Activity Rights: You have the right to organize, join, or participate in union activities, as well as the right to act jointly with coworkers to address and improve working conditions.
• Law Enforcement Interactions: You have constitutional rights when interacting with law enforcement, including immigration agents, in the workplace. This includes the right to remain silent, the right to refuse unreasonable searches (unless a judicial warrant is presented), and the right to speak to an attorney if arrested.
• Workers' Compensation: You have the right to workers' compensation benefits if you are injured or become ill because of your job.
• Notice of I-9 Inspections: If the District receives notice of an upcoming federal immigration inspection of I-9 forms or other employment records, we must notify you and your union representative within 72 hours.

2026 California Workplace - Know Your Rights (PDF)

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At Southwestern Community College District, we are committed to fair and respectful resolution of workplace concerns. A grievance is a formal, written claim by an employee or union that a specific term of the collective bargaining agreement has been violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted. Our goal is to address grievances in good faith and resolve them in a timely, collaborative manner.

CSEA

Article 16: Grievance Procedure (PDF)

CSEA Grievance Chart (PDF)

SCEA

Article 12: Grievances (PDF)

SCEA Grievance Chart (PDF)

SCCDAA

Article 18: Grievance Procedure (PDF)

SCCDAA Grievance Chart (PDF)

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Labor relations play a vital role in fostering a collaborative and productive environment within our unionized community college district. We recognize and respect the critical advocacy role that unions fulfill on behalf of their membership, which is composed of our dedicated district employees. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to supporting the workforce that drives our mission.

By working hand in hand with unions, we ensure alignment and compliance with employment regulations, creating a fair and equitable workplace. To support this effort, we have developed resources designed to promote understanding, transparency, and adherence to these guiding principles, reinforcing our collective commitment to excellence and mutual respect.

Managing at SWCCD: Past Practice (PDF)

Managing at SWCCD: Unfair Labor Practice Charges (ULP) (PDF)

SCEA Article XV Part-Time Faculty Break in Service Process (PDF)

 

Union Contact Information

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At Southwestern Community College District, we view performance evaluations as an opportunity for growth, collaboration, and shared success. Evaluations are not just about measuring performance—they are about fostering open communication, celebrating contributions, and identifying opportunities for professional development. By working in partnership, supervisors and employees can build on individual strengths, address challenges constructively, and create pathways for continued growth. To support this commitment, HR has gathered the resources below to help employees and supervisors navigate the performance management process with clarity and confidence.

California School Employees Association (CSEA) (PDF)

Confidential Employees (PDF)

CSEA Evaluation Rubrics (PDF)

Evaluation Workflow for CSEA and Confidential (PDF)

Evaluation Workflow for SCCDAA (PDF)

Evaluation Workflow for Unrepresented Administrators (Classified) (PDF)

Southwestern Community College District Administrators Association (SCCDAA) (PDF)

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A streamlined and transparent performance management process is essential to fostering growth, accountability, and trust at Southwestern. By providing clear expectations, timely feedback, and consistent opportunities for development, the District supports employees in reaching their full potential. This approach not only strengthens employee relations but also builds engagement and collaboration across our campus community. To support this commitment, HR has gathered the resources below to help employees and supervisors navigate the performance management process with clarity and confidence.

Progressive Performance Management Chart (PDF)

Counseling Memo Guidelines Sample (PDF)

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At SWC, we believe that every stage of employment should be handled with respect and care — including times of transition. A clear and responsive separation process helps ensure that employees feel supported, valued, and treated fairly, which strengthens trust and engagement across our campus community. To support this commitment, HR has gathered the resources below to help guide employees through the process with clarity and ease.

Notice of Resignation/Retirement/Separation Form (PDF)

Employee Separation Checklist (PDF)

Supervisor Separation Checklist (PDF)

Separation Check Out Form (PDF)

Transfer Check Out Form (PDF)

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Southwestern Community College District is committed to addressing employee concerns through fair and equitable processes. We provide clear pathways for resolving workplace issues, whether you are a represented or unrepresented employee. This page is designed to help you understand the available complaint procedures and guide you to the appropriate resources.

The chart below outlines the different types of complaint processes available at Southwestern.

Subject of Complaint	Contact	Initial Filing Date	Additional Information & Resources
Grievance (for union represented employees)	Your Union Representative	No later than 15 calendar days from the date the grievant or the Union first became aware of the alleged violation.	Union articles on grievance procedure CSEA Article XVI SCEA Article XII SCCDAA Article 18
Unfair labor practice (for union represented employees)	California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)	Within 6 months of the occurrence of the conduct that you contend is an unfair practice	Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA)
Improper activities, improper governmental activities/whistleblower	Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Human Resources	As soon as practicable	BP 7700 – Whistleblower Protection AP 7700 - Whistleblower Protection
Discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, or other protected class	Title IX & EEO Office	None             Within 3 years of the last act of alleged discrimination/ harassment	BP/AP 3410 - Nondiscrimination BP/AP 3430 – Prohibition of Harassment     AP 3435 – Discrimination & Harassment Complaints & Investigations
Sexual harassment, sexual violence, sex discrimination, sex assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking	Title IX & EEO Office	None             Within 3 years of the last act of alleged discrimination/ harassment	BP/AP 3433 – Prohibition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX AP 3434 – Responding to Harassment Based on Sex under Title IX   California Civil Rights Department
Workplace misconduct that adversely affects an employee or violates administrative policy	Title IX & EEO Office	Several      Within 180 days of the date of the alleged bullying conduct, except that this period shall be extended by no more than 90 days following the expiration of the 180 days if the Complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged violation after the expiration of the 180 days	SWC BP/APs Chapter 3     BP/AP 3437 – Prohibition of Bullying in the Workplace
Student Grievance and Grade Disputes	Office of Student Services	No later than the end of the term during which the incident occurred or within 30 days if the alleged action took place during the last two weeks of the semester.	BP 5530 – Student Rights and Grievances AP 5530 – Student Rights and Grievances Incident Report Form
Complaint/Grievance for Providing Equal Access (Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities)	Disability Support Services Office of Student Services	Students: As soon as practicable and prior to the posting of the final grade. Faculty: Process initiated within five (5) days of receiving accommodation request from student.	BP 5140 – Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities AP 5140 – Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

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