# 2019-022 Harassment

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-02-10

The grievor filed a harassment complaint. Given a lack of qualified investigators, the responsible officer assigned an officer the task of conducting an administrative verification, which is similar to a harassment investigation. The grievor disputed the conduct of such a verification, arguing that it was contrary to the Harassment Prevention and Resolution Instructions (hereinafter the “Instructions”). She requested that a formal investigation be conducted by an investigator from another region.

The Initial Authority (IA) found that the grievor's harassment complaint had not been handled in accordance with the Instructions and ordered a formal investigation. However, the IA determined that an investigator from the same region as the grievor, but from another unit, could carry out the investigation.

The Committee found that although the administrative verification had been conducted thoroughly and it had followed the rules of procedural fairness, it had strayed from the procedures prescribed by the Instructions. The Committee noted that the IA had rectified this by ordering a formal harassment investigation, and that, as a result, no further redress was necessary.

FA decision summary

The Acting Chief of the Defence Staff agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation to deny the grievor redress.