# 2021-178 Careers, Cease-training

Case summary

F&R Date: 2021-12-14

The grievor grieved the decision to cease her Reserve Basic Public Affairs Officer Course (RBPAOC) training, the failure of which she attributed to the effects of an untreated dental infection. As redress, she requested RBPAOC qualification. The Initial Authority denied redress, finding that the grievor did not achieve the required qualification standards.

The Committee thoroughly reviewed the grievor's medical records, which confirmed that she suffered from a dental infection in the latter months of the course. It also reviewed the grievor's entire course records, which demonstrated that the grievor's failure to meet the standard in several performance objectives predated her dental issues by several months and was objectively attributable to consistent errors that persisted despite remedial opportunities. The Committee also noted that the grievor did not request sick leave or inform course staff of her medical issues in a timely fashion despite many opportunities to do so.

The Committee also found that the RBPAOC course staff appropriately addressed the grievor's performance difficulties through detailed feedback, Initial Review, Independent Review Boards and a Progress Review Board in accordance with the RBPAOC Training Plan and associated directives.

The Committee noted with concern that the grievor was issued a revised course report recommending her release from the Canadian Armed Forces. It found that RBPAOC course staff had no authority to recommend the grievor's release, and that a course report was not the appropriate format for a release recommendation. Accordingly, the Committee recommended that the Final Authority (FA) ensure that the revised course report be removed from the grievor's personnel records. The Committee recommended that the FA not afford the grievor redress.

FA decision summary

The Director Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, acting as Final Authority, agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendations.