How complaints are handled
This policy applies to complaints received by Healthy Families Healthy Futures about our activities, programs, services, staff, or volunteers.
- It is in the interest of all parties that complaints are dealt with promptly and resolved as quickly as possible
- Review of complaints is fair, impartial, and respectful to all parties
- Complainants are advised of their options to escalate their complaint to a more senior staff person if they are dissatisfied with treatment or outcome
- Complainants are provided clear and understandable reasons for decisions relating to complaints
- Updates are provided to complainants during review processes
- Complaints are used to assist in improving services, policies and procedures
Policy
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction about the service, actions or lack of action by HFHF as an organization, a staff member or a volunteer acting on behalf of HFHF.
Examples include but are not limited to:
- Perceived failure to do something agreed upon
- Failure to observe policy or procedures
- Error made by a staff member/volunteer
- Unfair or discourteous actions/statements by staff member/volunteer
Anyone personally affected can complain and their complaint will be reviewed in accordance with this procedure.
Complaint receipt and handling
- A complaint may be received verbally (by phone or in person) or in writing (by mail, fax, email). An employee or volunteer who receives a complaint should first determine the proper person to handle it. This will generally be the person who has the primary relationship with the complainant or has specific knowledge that is needed to resolve the problem. It is the responsibility of the person who receives the complaint to either resolve it or transfer it to another person who can resolve it. If the complaint is transferred, the recipient must acknowledge to the transferor that he/she has received it and will act on it.
- The person who initially receives the complaint should acknowledge to the complainant that the complaint has been received and will be acted on either by him/herself or another employee. If a timeframe for action can be determined, that should be included in the acknowledgment. Basic contact information including name, phone number and email address should immediately be recorded.
Resolving the Complaint
- Every effort should be made to resolve complaints received in a timely fashion. When receiving a verbal complaint, staff should listen and seek to understand the complaint, and may attempt to resolve it immediately. Complaints received in writing should be acknowledged within two business days and staff should attempt to resolve the matter within ten business days.
- Where a complaint cannot be easily resolved it should be escalated to the relevant Supervisor. If the Supervisor cannot resolve the complaint it will be escalated to the Executive Director. If the complaint is about the Executive Director it will be handled by the Personnel Committee or the Board Chair.
- Complainants should be kept informed of the status of their complaint. Every attempt should be made to resolve escalated complaints within an additional ten business days so that all complaints are resolved within a month of having been received.
Documenting the Complaint
- It is necessary to keep a record of any complaint that involves a dispute over money as well as any complaint that cannot be resolved immediately (on the same day it is received). Information about such complaints must be recorded on the Complaints Tracking Worksheet. Information recorded on the worksheet includes a description of the complaint, who handled it, what was done to resolve the complaint, timeframe and a description of the resolution.
- A summary of the complaints received including number and type will be reported to the Board annually.
