§ 3-103. Definitions.
As used in this Act:
A. “Appeal” means a formal or informal change or clarification to a decision.
B. “Consanguinity or affinity within the second degree” means a relative by blood within the second generation or a relative by marriage within the first or second generation.
C. “Employee” means any individual hired by the Osage Nation to provide labor and services in return for compensation and benefits, but does not include appointees, employees of the Nation’s enterprises, or individuals performing services as an independent contractor except as otherwise provided.
D. “Grievance” means a complaint filed by an employee in which they request a resolution.
E. “Gross mismanagement” means the exercise of management responsibilities in a manner that substantially deviates from the standard of competence that a reasonable person would observe in the same situation.
F. “Merit” means the quality of being particularly good or worthy based on knowledge, skills and abilities, free from political influence or affiliation.
G. “Merit system” means the process of making employment decisions based on an individual’s qualifications and performance rather than non-performance related reasons.
H. “Minimum requirement” means the lowest criteria set forth in the employee position description.
I. “Personnel action” means any event, formal or informal, positive or negative that affects an employee’s compensation, promotion, demotion, transfer, work assignment, or employment status.
J. “Political influence” means the use of an individual’s actual or perceived relationships, connections or power to achieve, or attempt to achieve or shape a favorable outcome.
K. “Promote/promotion” means an upward movement in the organization structure within the Osage Nation based on work performance, work experience and/or training. ONCA 20-24, eff. Apr. 27, 2020.