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The AssistU Ethics Review
and Grievance Process Overview

The AssistU Ethics Review and Grievance Process was created to allow someone who has been in a professional relationship with a graduate and member in good standing of AssistU to file a complaint about a potential violation of the AssistU Standards Of Excellence, Ethics, and Practices Pledge.

Here's what you need to know about the process:
  1. The only Virtual Assistants a grievance can be filed against are those who are an active part of the AssistU community, meaning they've been trained by AssistU, have graduated from our Virtual Training Program (VTP), and are members of good standing in our professional community.

  2. The AssistU Grievance Process is not meant to be arbitration. We are not professional mediators, and it's inappropriate for us to get in the middle of any dispute. Our sole concern is upholding our Standards Of Excellence, Ethics, and Practices Pledge. Should you have a grievance that requires more than we offer, we wholeheartedly suggest you consider alternative dispute resolution prior to other steps. Click here for suggestions.

  3. Grievances must be based on a perceived violation of one or more specific points of the AssistU Standards Of Excellence, Ethics, and Practices Pledge, found on the AssistU website.

  4. Grievances must be filed by the individual who was a party to the grievance. No third-party or anonymous grievances will be considered.

  5. Grievances filed about alleged misconduct occurring more than 90 days in the past will not be considered.

  6. Grievances must be made and submitted using the form and according to the instructions found on the AssistU site.

  7. Here's how the process works once a grievance is submitted:
    • A committee will review the grievance. The committee is formed from the AssistU community and comprised of individuals who eagerly want this leadership role, and who have the highest integrity.
    • Initially, three (3) randomly selected members of the committee will review the grievance to decide whether it merits our consideration. Only those grievances that specifically point to potential violations of the AssistU Standards Of Excellence, Ethics, And Practices Pledge will be considered. Grievances may be rejected based on the parameters shared above, or if in the opinion of the committee, the grievance is actually a legal dispute best handled through mediation or the courts. The decision of the committee as to the appropriateness of the grievance for our consideration is final.
    • If the grievance is able to be considered, two additional committee members will be randomly selected to create the final committee of five (5) members. An investigation of the grievance will begin. The first step includes sending a copy of the grievance to the Virtual Assistant named in the grievance both by email, and by certified mail, restricted delivery. The person filing the grievance will be named. We will not deal with anonymous grievances.
    • The Virtual Assistant will have ten (10) business days to answer the committee with regard to the grievance, providing his/her own evidentiary information. If the VA does not respond, the grievance will be considered, and a decision rendered, based solely on the information obtained by the person who filed the grievance. The decision of the committee is final.
    • If the VA responds, the committee will review all information submitted by both parties to the grievance, will render a decision, and where necessary, render a decision about disciplinary action. The decision of the committee is final.

  8. Possible outcomes of the committees decision include:
    • Dismissal of the grievance
    • Letter of warning
    • Letter of censure
    • Disciplinary action taken against the Virtual Assistant
    • Requirement of ethics review course
    • Temporary loss of community privileges
    • Loss of certification
    • Termination of membership in the AssistU community
    • Any combination of the above

  9. The complainant and Virtual Assistant will receive responses from AssistU with the committee's decision. Because this is an internal process, we will not disclose the exact nature of the disciplinary action taken to the complainant.

Questions? Please call (866-829-6757 x 86) or email us:

I'd like to file a grievance