A concept used in discipline cases to limit the introduction of evidence or to avoid re-trying a case that previously was resolved, either by an earlier arbitration decision or by past abandonment of the claim. The record is deemed settled because the opportunity to challenge the discipline was available and now has passed, and the record is complete for future reliance by the parties. A settled record typically is used to demonstrate the progressive disciplinary steps that were taken in the past or to show an employee’s prior notice that the violation of a rule or policy would lead to discipline.
