# 2021-133 Pay and Benefits, COVID-19, Exceptional Hazard Allowance, Operation LASER

Case summary

F&R Date: 2021-07-19

The grievor believed he was entitled to the Exceptional Hazard Allowance (EHA) for his service on Operation LASER in 2020. The grievor argued that he was potentially exposed to COVID-19 since he transported possibly contaminated laundry from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members who worked in long-term care facilities (LTCF). 

The Initial Authority (IA) found that Compensation and Benefit Instructions (CBI) 205.38 set out the eligibility conditions for the EHA. Since the grievor was tasked with the coordination and transportation of vehicles delivering clean laundry and collecting possibly contaminated laundry at hotels occupied by CAF members, he was therefore not exposed to COVID-19 at a LTCF. The IA concluded that the grievor did not meet the eligibility requirements of CBI 205.38 and did not afford redress. 

The Committee found that the grievor, not deployed to a LTCF, was not entitled to the EHA pursuant to the Treasury Board approved policy CBI 205.38. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford redress.