# 2014-125 Careers, Initial Counselling (IC)

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2014–12–22

The grievor alleged that she was unfairly issued an Initial Counselling (IC) for conduct deficiencies related to verbal and written communication. The grievor explained that she was denied access to her Commanding Officer and that she was never provided with feedback on any of the areas of concern listed on the IC.

There was no Initial Authority (IA) decision although the IA had the file for almost four years.

The Committee had to determine whether the IC was justified and administered in accordance with policy.

The Committee found that the IC was not administered in accordance with the Defence Administrative Order and Directive (DAOD) 5019-4, Remedial Measures. In particular, the Committee found that most of the examples used in the five-page IC could not be categorized or portrayed as communication related conduct deficiencies and that almost none of the proposed corrective actions were related to the identified deficiencies.

The Committee recommended that the IC be cancelled and removed from the grievor's records.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2015–05–27

While the FA did not agree with the Committee's findings regarding the grievor's conduct, stating that the tone and style in some correspondence were not appropriate, he found that the grievor should not bear the sole responsibility for the poisoned environment at the unit, adding that the CO did not fulfill his duties regarding the situation. The FA agreed with the Committee's recommendation that the IC be cancelled and removed from the grievor's records.