# 2019-243 Careers, Education Reimbursement Policies

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-05-25

The grievor contended that she should be reimbursed for the purchase of a laptop and an internet connection for her post-graduate training, in accordance with the policies in effect at the time. The Initial Authority denied the reimbursement, stating that the grievor had been advised that the policies were under review and that a laptop purchase may no longer be eligible for reimbursement, but she opted to purchase one anyway.

The Committee determined that just because a change in the policy was “likely” to occur, that did not remove the entitlement at the time the purchase was made. The Committee found that the grievor was entitled to partial reimbursement based on the policy still in effect at the time of the purchase and recommend that the Final Authority (FA) grant the grievor redress.

FA decision summary

The FA did not agree with the Committee findings and recommendation. The FA found that while it was truly unfortunate that the grievor was not advised that the policy had changed, she made a personal choice to purchase a laptop before there was a full understanding of the new reimbursement policy. According to the FA, the grievor accepted the risk that she might not be reimbursed.