Under our contract, Article 2.P., members are only responsible for damage to equipment issued by AACPS if it is caused by their negligence. The burden of proof rests on AACPS to demonstrate that the damage caused by the member’s negligence.
Here is what you should do if your laptop is damaged and IT charges you for the repairs:
- Respond in writing saying: “I dispute these charges because AACPS has not demonstrated the damage was caused by my negligence under Article 2.P. of the TAAAC Negotiated Agreement.”
- This will then trigger the IT department to submit your case to the AACPS Investigations Office.
- You will be contacted by AACPS Investigations who will discuss with you the circumstances of how the laptop was damaged. Investigations will then decide if they consider you negligent or not.
- If Investigations determines you were negligent, contact your UniServ Director to discuss a possible Grievance or Appeal.
Note that “negligence” does not necessarily mean the damage was intentional. Often in these cases, AACPS will argue that even accidental damage was caused by the member failing to take proper precautions.
Laptop Refresh
INSURANCE
AACPS has launched a new insurance program that covers various types of damage to AACPS issued laptop computers. This is an optional program, and members are not required to participate. Currently under our contract, you are only liable for damage to your laptop if AACPS demonstrated it was due to your “negligence” (Article 2P). This insurance program does not change that. As always, we encourage members to reach out to their UniServ Director if they are being charged for damages. Again, you cannot be charged for damage unless AACPS proves you were negligent.
However, “negligence” can include accidents, and we have not always been successful in grievances on this language. Many members end up charged several hundred dollars when their laptops are damaged through accident. This insurance program would cover some of the most common types of damage, like cracked screens. We want to emphasize again, however, that this program is entirely optional, and you are still covered under the contract language in Article 2 Section P.