Inappropriate Complaints

The IG Complaint Program may not be used for matters normally addressed through other established grievance or appeal channels, unless there is evidence that those channels mishandled the matter or process. If a policy directive or instruction provides a specific means of redress or appeal of a grievance, complainants must exhaust those procedures before filing an IG complaint. Complainants must provide some relevant evidence that the process was mishandled or handled prejudicially before IG channels will process a complaint of mishandling. Mere dissatisfaction or disagreement with the outcome or findings of an alternative grievance or appeal process is not a sufficient basis to warrant IG investigation. The following list identifies complaints not appropriate for the IG system, and the agencies with established programs for the redress of these complaints. This list is not all-inclusive.

TYPE OF COMPLAINT REFERENCE