The CAF is a professional institution in which CAF members ultimately place service to country and the needs of the CAF ahead of personal considerations. As such, CAF members are required to remain mobile and deployable to meet the needs of the CAF and to enhance training and experience. However, personal circumstances may arise that temporarily limit a CAF member's deployability or ability to perform duties. In these circumstances, the CAF member may be given special consideration in the form of compassionate status, with or without a compassionate posting. A CAF member may be released if CAF requirements preclude a contingency cost move for personal reasons or compassionate status, with or without a compassionate posting.
1. I have children with medical issues and they have support and stability in location x. Can I get a compassionate posting to guarantee that I never have to move to help me in this situation?
A compassionate status or posting is for two years plus two one-year extension. Which is sufficient, in all but extreme cases, to stabilize medical situation. Chronic medical situation are not within the scope of this policy and may cross over unto other policies such as universality of service.
2. I really don’t like where I’m posted as I have difficulty creating a social network and have a family. Can I ask for a CCM or compassionate to go where it is more aligned with my life style?
Situation that are addressed by this policy are based on the social work definition that events are out of the ordinary, unusual, unforeseen, and unavoidable. Life style and personal preference are better resolved through discussion with your CM to find something that is better suited for these choices.
3. Supporting my ageing parents is important and they are starting to have concerning medical issues. Would this be within the CCM or compassionate policy?
It depends on the specific situation. Generic ageing would not be included but some situation related to it might. The social worker is the one better suited to evaluate the situation.
4. I have been refused a CCM or compassionate status/posting by my chain of command. What can I do?
Your chain of command cannot refuse your request to demand a CCM or compassionate status/posting. They can however give their recommendation to the CM on the case. If you are refused, you can request an appointment with a social worker, see a chaplain or the conflict resolution center.
5. It’s been 4 days since my CM has received my request with all documents, why is it so long?
Once the social worker has completed the report on your case, the chain of command has 14 days to provide their recommendation to the CM. Which in turn has 14 days to complete the file and send for decision to the appropriate level authority. You can always call or write your CM to get the status of your request.
6. Can I contact my Career Manager for an update?
You can ask your CoC or your assisting officer to contact your CM at any time, although keep in mind that it may take a few days to arrange such contact due to conflicting schedule.
7. If I disagree with the decision taken in my case, what can I do?
As indicated in the decision message, any disagreement should be addressed via the grievance process.
8. Are request for CCM or Compassionate status/posting limited to posting season?
No, they can be sent to the Career Manager at any time during the year and they will be actioned as required. However, if the solution to the issue is a normal posting or local resolution, there may be limitations on when the change can occur.
9. Can I request a compassionate status to remain in my current position?
If you have personal circumstances in line with the SOCW definition that would prevent you from being posted you should advise your CM when your annual interview occurs or as soon as practical. Request of compassionate status after receiving a posting message can be perceived as posting evasion and have career impact.
10. What are exceptional circumstances?
The term is no longer used, instead the term: Personal circumstances is used as it is more reflective and encompassing. A personal circumstance is: A situation or set of interrelated situation faced by a serving military member that is out of the ordinary, unusual, unforeseen, and unavoidable.
11. My service spouse and I are divorced and have court ruling on joint custody of our children. Would that be compassionate cost move or contingency cost move?
Neither. Even though this is a difficult and delicate situation for both, the situation is not within the definition of the policy and can be addressed via other mechanism such as discussion with the CM to find a posting in proximity or amendment to the court ruling considering military requirements.
12. What if the SOCW, the CoC or the CM disagree on the validity of the request?
I case of disagreement; the CM will transfer the case to peer review at CF Health Services for examination. The assessment of which will be used to confirm or refuse the status.
13. I’m not an HR expert, can I have some help with my request?
You can, the CoC can, at your request, assign an assisting officer that will help you with the documentation and process. A checklist is also included on the website to allow you to follow the steps.
