Grievance Case Summary - G-738

The Grievor relocated to a new post. His family and household effects (HHE) remained at his old post. His residence at the old post was marketed and unsold. After two months, the Grievor's family and HHE arrived at his new post.

The Grievor received Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA) or similar benefits for the initial two months which preceded the arrival of his family and HHE. After some time, the Grievor submitted an expense claim for an additional seven months of TDRA. The Respondent denied the expense claim on the basis that the Grievor had failed to obtain prior authorization for TDRA pursuant to section 6.02 of the Integrated Relocation Program (IRP).

The Grievor submitted a grievance, requesting that his TDRA claim be approved, and that he receive interest for the period between his claim submission and the resolution of his grievance. The Grievor argued that he did obtain preauthorization. The Grievor relied on authorizations in Form A22-A and on the fact that his new post Commanding Officer (CO) granted TDRA or similar benefits for the initial two months following the Grievor's relocation. The Grievor further submitted that he had fulfilled all requirements for TDRA under the IRP. The Respondent insisted that the Grievor never obtained preauthorization. The Respondent also argued that the Grievor's TDRA claim listed expenses that the Grievor was not entitled to under the IRP.

The ERC found that the Grievor had not demonstrated that the three individuals listed in section 6.02.3 of the IRP provided prior approval for TDRA. Form A22-A only confirmed that the Grievor's relocation was authorized. It was insufficient to confirm the authorization for TDRA. The fact that the Grievor was reimbursed for the initial two months following his relocation only confirmed, at best, that the Grievor's new post CO authorized TDRA. It did not constitute authorization from the other two individuals listed in section 6.02.3 of the IRP.

The ERC recommended that the grievance be denied.

The Commissioner's decision, as summarized by her office, is as follows:

The Grievor challenged the Respondent's decision to deny his request for Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA). The Level I Adjudicator dismissed the grievance. The ERC recommended that the grievance be denied on the basis that the Grievor did not demonstrate that he was approved for TDRA. The Commissioner agreed that the Grievor did not demonstrate that he received TDRA approval under the RCMP Integrated Relocation Program, and dismissed the grievance.