# 2020-081 Pay and Benefits, Integrated Relocation Program, Door-to-Door Move

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2021–04–21

Upon being posted to a new location, the grievor purchased a newly built home, which was not scheduled to be completed until six months after her posting date. When posted, the grievor had her household goods and effects (HG&E) shipped, at Crown expense, to a storage facility at her new location. The grievor paid the storage fees, and stayed in a rental accommodation until her new home was ready. When the home was nearing completion, the grievor learned that the Crown would not pay to move her HG&E a second time (from storage to her new home).  The grievor submitted a grievance, seeking reimbursement for the cost of moving her HG&E from storage to her new home and for repairing and replacing some items that were lost and damaged during the move.

The Initial Authority (IA) found that the grievor's entitlement to a paid move (along with insurance coverage) of HG&E ended upon delivery of her HG&E to the storage facility. The Canadian Armed Forces was not responsible to pay for a second HG&E move, or for any loss or damage to the HG&E after it went into storage. The IA acknowledged that there had been some miscommunication about entitlements, but found that the grievor had been correctly informed that she was responsible for coordinating a door-to-door move, and that it was her responsibility to understand the conditions and restrictions on relocation benefits available to her. 

The Committee found that the grievor was only entitled to one paid move of her HG&E. She was not entitled to reimbursement for the cost of the move from storage to the new home. The Committee also found that the grievor was not entitled to be reimbursed for the lost and damage of HG&E items, and that she had received the relocation benefits she had been entitled to receive when she was posted to her new place of duty.  The Committee recommended that the Final Authority (FA) not afford the grievor redress. 

FA Decision Summary

The FA, the Director Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, agreed with the Committee's recommendation that the grievor not be afforded redress. The FA agreed with the Committee's finding that having accepted a new build house with a move-in date after the change of strength date, the grievor was responsible for the HG&E once they were delivered (to storage) at the destination. The FA also agreed that any claims for damaged items were to be processed through the mover and the grievor's insurer.