# 2018-121 Careers, Compassionate posting, Compassionate status, Promotion

Case summary

F&R Date: 2019-11-22

The grievor argued that his promotion should not have been delayed pending completion of his period of compassionate status. As redress, he asked that the Armed Forces Council Executive (AFCX) consider including compassionate status in the policy that de-links medical conditions from promotion criteria.

The Initial Authority (IA) denied the grievance, stating that the grievor had been treated in accordance with the applicable policy. As for the grievor's request that the AFCX also consider de-linking compassionate status from promotion criteria, the IA stated that it was not his responsibility to make such a request.

The Committee concluded that the grievor was treated in accordance with the applicable policies, which held that the grievor could not be promoted while he was on a compassionate status. Consequently, the Committee recommended that the Final Authority (FA) not afford redress.

However, the Committee did acknowledge the grievor's argument, observing that de-linking compassionate status from promotion criteria might well encourage Canadian Armed Forces members to proactively seek assistance with their personal issues before they become potential mental health issues.

FA decision summary

The FA, the Director Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, agreed with the Committee's recommendation that the grievor not be granted redress. The FA agreed with the Committee's finding that promoting the grievor while on compassionate status would have been contrary to Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 5003-6. The FA noted that although the policy change announced in Canadian Forces General Order 012/17 had de-linked medical category and promotion, compassionate status was not the same as a medical category.