# 2023-155 Careers, COVID-19

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-09-18

The grievor disputed denial of Reserve Force (Res F) service opportunities resulting from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) COVID-19 vaccination policy. The grievor alleged that he was told he could not work either in person or virtually, for a period of over a year, while he awaited a decision on his medical accommodation request. By denying him further employment, the grievor felt he was being coerced into choosing between receiving a medical procedure that had unknown reactions with his medical condition or receiving no income and facing possible Remedial Measures. As redress, the grievor requested loss of income to be compensated as time served. 

As the grievance related to the CAF COVID-19 vaccination policy issued by the Chief of the Defence Staff, the grievance was referred directly to the Final Authority (FA) in accordance with paragraph 7.13(c) of the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces – Initial Authority in Respect of a Grievance.

The Committee found that the grievor was not entitled to special treatment that would normally have been afforded to those awaiting an official accommodation request as it appeared he never officially submitted one. Further, as a member of the Res F, the Committee found that the CAF was under no obligation to provide the grievor with a minimum amount of employment. Lastly, the Committee noted that despite being asked to submit a memorandum to formally request a telework agreement, the grievor never did, therefore it was not entirely the CAF precluding the grievor from working remotely. As such, the Committee found the grievor had not been treated unjustly and recommended the FA deny redress.