# 2020-147 Harassment, Procedural fairness

Case summary

F&R Date: 2021-09-27

The grievor challenged her chain of command's (CoC) administration of a harassment complaint she submitted. As redress, she requested that the Final Authority adjudicate the harassment complaint. The Initial Authority did not render a decision within the applicable time limit. 

The Committee found that the Responsible Officer, who was in charge of the grievor’s harassment complaint, did not provide the grievor with a situational assessment (SA) of her complaint within the 14-day time limit set out in the Department of National Defence Harassment Prevention and Resolution Instructions.  

In accordance with the de novo nature of the grievance process, the Committee conducted its own SA. Following a thorough and comprehensive analysis, the Committee determined that the grievor's allegations, as stated, did not constitute harassment in accordance with Defence Administrative Order and Directive 5012-0, Harassment Prevention and Resolution.  

The Committee found that the grievor was aggrieved by her CoC’s mishandling of her harassment complaint. However, in light of its finding that the grievor's allegations did not constitute harassment, the Committee did not recommend any further redress. 

FA decision summary

The Chief of the Defence Staff agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendaiton not to afford the grievor redress.