# 2021-150 Careers, Harassment

Case summary

F&R Date: 2022-01-31

The grievor alleged that her harassment complaint against the respondent was poorly managed by the chain of command (C of C) and that the investigation raised serious ethical concerns. The grievor contested the Commanding Officer's decision that certain allegations were unfounded. As redress, she requested that the material gathered during the investigation into her harassment complaint be re-examined impartially, that the Canadian Armed Forces apply the harassment policy, and that they conclude that all her allegations against the respondent are founded and constitute harassment.

The Initial Authority (IA) concluded that the harassment investigation took place in accordance with the Treasury Board Investigation Guide for the Policy on Harassment Prevention and Resolution, and in accordance with the Treasury Board Directive on the Harassment Complaint Process. The IA was in agreement with the Commanding Officer's decision that the majority of the allegations were unfounded.

The Committee concluded that the grievor's harassment complaint was not handled in accordance with the applicable policies. More specifically, the Committee concluded that the investigation was problematic on many levels. For that reason, the preliminary report, the final report, the letter of closure and the IA's final decision had to be set aside.

The Committee re-examined each of the grievor's allegations and concluded that some of the allegations regarding the respondent were founded.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority (FA) grant the grievor redress: specifically, that the FA apologize for the harassment inflicted on the grievor by the respondent and the fact that the C of C failed to act quickly to put a stop to it.

Lastly, the Committee recommended that the FA conduct a follow-up with the C of C to ensure that the respondent faces administrative and/or disciplinary measures for the harassment he inflicted on the grievor.