# 2018-030 Careers, Harassment

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2021–03–17

The grievor was challenging the decision of the head of the Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM) team not to follow up on his request to conduct an investigation into several allegations he had reported to various Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) authorities.  

The Initial Authority (IA) concluded that, since the ICCM is an advisory service and that military personnel is not required to consult them, there was no decision within the meaning of article 7.01 of the Queen's Regulations and Orders by which he was entitled to lodge a grievance. However, the IA invited the grievor to file a grievance for each of his allegations. The grievor appealed to the Final Authority (FA) and the Director of the Canadian Forces Grievance Authority accepted the grievance in the interest of justice.

The Committee reviewed the grievor's allegations and the replies he had received from the various DND/CAF authorities. The Committee found that the grievor's allegations were all related to harassment, except one which concerned the grievance process for the grievance previously lodged by the grievor. The Committee noted that, over the years, the grievor had been invited to present his allegations in accordance with the policies on harassment to the proper authorities and to provide the information he said he had. The grievor had failed to do so, including to the Committee.  As a result, considering several factors, including the passage of time, the Committee concluded that conducting an investigation at this point would be contrary to the principles underlying the Harassment Prevention and Resolution Policy.  

The Committee recommended that the FA not grant the grievor redress. 

FA Decision Summary

The Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, as the FA, agrees with the Committee's recommendation to deny the grievance. The FA explained that the Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM) service is a reference service that provides CAF members with information about their options for dispute resolution. The ICCM's mandate is not to conduct investigations or make decisions regarding the validity of CAF members' allegations. The FA found that the grievor received appropriate support from the ICCM and that he was treated fairly.