16 Va. Admin. Code § 25-60-330

Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 6, November 4, 2024

Section 16VAC25-60-330 - Informal conference

A. An informal conference may be held for the purpose of discussing any issue raised by the inspection, citation, abatement order, proposed penalty, notice of contest, or any other disputed issue.

B. The employer, an employee, or an employee representative may request an informal conference. Neither the conference nor a request for a conference shall stay the running of time allowed for abatement of a cited violation or the time allowed for filing a notice of contest of the citation, abatement period or proposed penalty.

C. The informal conference will be held by the commissioner. However, other personnel of the Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Health, and any other state department or agency may participate as deemed necessary.

D. The time and location of the informal conference shall be at the discretion of the commissioner, except that the conference shall not be held at the employer's work site.

E. An employee representative shall be given the opportunity to participate in a conference requested by the employer. This same right will be extended to the employer when an informal conference is requested by employees. It is the duty of the employer, if he has requested a conference, to notify the employees by the means described in 16VAC25-60-40 as soon as the time and place of the conference have been established. Upon granting an employee request for a conference, the commissioner is responsible for notifying the employer. The commissioner, at his discretion, may conduct separate portions of the conference with the employer and employee representative.

F. During or following the conference the commissioner may affirm or amend the citations, penalties, or abatement period if the order has not become final. The commissioner shall notify the employer in writing of his decision. The employer shall notify employees of this decision in the manner set forth in 16VAC25-60-40.

G. The failure to request an informal conference before the expiration of 15 working days does not preclude settlement at a later stage of the proceedings if a notice of contest has been timely filed.

16 Va. Admin. Code § 25-60-330

Derived from VR425-02-95 § 8.1, eff. July 1, 1994.

Statutory Authority

§ 40.1-22(5) of the Code of Virginia.