# 2022-295 Careers, Entry into the Promotion Zone, Promotion, Promotion Criteria

Case summary

F&R Date: 2024-06-25

The grievor contended that the adjustment of their Entry into Promotion Zone (EPZ) date to the rank of Lieutenant (Lt) made by the Director Military Careers 6 was not warranted. The grievor stated that the trigger for their removal from a required course and, consequently, the delay of their EPZ, was the COVID-19 mandatory isolation policy in place at the time. The grievor asserted that their absence from the course was for reasons beyond their control and thus, their EPZ should revert to the original date.

As the Initial Authority (IA), the Director General Military Careers, did not render a decision within the prescribed time limit, the grievor requested Final Authority (FA) consideration of this grievance pursuant to the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces article 7.18. Therefore, there is no IA decision in the matter.

The Committee found that it was beyond question that the Canadian Armed Forces Health Services mandatory policy to isolate due to the possibility of COVID-19 infection was the reason for the grievor's inability to complete the training required to be qualified in their occupation before their EPZ date and could, therefore, be considered as “due to military reasons.”

The Committee recommended that the FA afford the grievor redress by amending their EPZ date and promotion to the rank of Lt to the original date with the follow-on repercussions, including pay and seniority dates at both the Lt and Captain rank, that the amendment required.