(4) Except as provided under Subsection (6), if the employee fails to advance the grievance to the next procedural step within the time limits established in this part:

1. (a) the employee waives the right to advance the grievance or to obtain judicial review of the grievance; and
2. (b) the grievance is considered to be settled based on the decision made at the last procedural step.

(5)

1. (a) An employee may submit a grievance for review under this chapter only if the employee submits the grievance:

   1. (i) within 20 working days after the event giving rise to the grievance; or
   2. (ii) within 20 working days after the employee has knowledge of the event giving rise to the grievance.
2. (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a), an employee may not submit a grievance more than one year after the event giving rise to the grievance.

(8)

1. (a) If several employees allege the same grievance, the employees may submit a group grievance by following the procedures and requirements of this chapter.
2. (b) In submitting a group grievance, each aggrieved employee shall sign the grievance.
3. (c) The administrator may not treat a group grievance as a class action, but may select one aggrieved employee's grievance and address that grievance as a test case.