In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated: “Employee” means an individual covered by State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-102, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Grievance” has the meaning stated in State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Party” means an employee filing an appeal, the aggrieved employee's appointing authority, the employee's principal unit, or the Department of Budget and Management when named in a second step grievance decision. Procedure. Unless a peer review panel is available and selected by an employee, the State Personnel Management System grievance procedure consists of the three steps specified in State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-201, Annotated Code of Maryland. When filing a grievance appeal, at each step of the grievance procedure the employee shall state, to the extent possible, the issues of fact and law that the employee believes support the grievance. The grievance shall be filed on a form prescribed by the Secretary. The procedures for hearings and settlement conferences are governed by COMAR 17.04.07. The parties shall make every effort to resolve a grievance promptly and at the lowest possible level. The right of the parties to bypass steps is governed by State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-201, Annotated Code of Maryland. The right of the parties to consolidate grievances is governed by State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-404, Annotated Code of Maryland. If a grievance is based on a position's classification, the head of the principal unit shall assure that a classification study of the employee's position has been made within 1 year of the date on which the grievance was initiated. A back pay award in a reclassification grievance is governed by the provisions of State Personnel and Pensions Article, §12-402(b)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland. State Personnel and Pensions Article, §4-106 and Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 12, 1997 (24:5 Md. R. 391); emergency status expired August 12, 1997; adopted permanently effective September 8, 1997 (24:18 Md. R. 1297) For a history of State Personnel Regulations before February 12, 1997, see the prior version of COMAR Title 06 or contact the Maryland State Archives for assistance.