# 2021-186 Pay and Benefits, Separation Expense

Case summary

F&R Date: 2022-06-14

The grievor contested the decision of the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration to deny his request for a waiver of the requirement that he rent a one-bedroom dwelling to be eligible for reimbursement under Separation Expense (SE) benefits. He acknowledged that the two-bedroom dwelling that he rented was not compliant with the requirements for SE benefits but asserted that his circumstances were exceptional due to low vacancy rates for one-bedroom dwellings and the COVID-19 pandemic. He sought, as redress, reimbursement of the rental expenses he incurred up to the monthly maximum amount.

The Initial Authority (IA) denied the grievance. The IA noted that the two-bedroom dwelling that the grievor rented did not meet the definition of non-commercial accommodation under the Treasury Board (TB) approved policy for SE benefits and therefore, he was not eligible for reimbursement. The IA acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many issues that affected personal, family, and work lives on every level, but determined that the grievor was treated fairly and in accordance with policy.

The Committee noted that under the TB approved policy for SE benefits, members are entitled to reimbursement, up to a maximum monthly amount, for non-commercial accommodations that have no more than one bedroom, one bathroom, one living room and one kitchen. The Committee found that the two-bedroom dwelling that the grievor rented was non-compliant with the definition of non-commercial accommodation established under TB approved policy for SE benefits and not eligible for reimbursement. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford the grievor redress