Grievance Case Summary - G-622

The Grievor worked two shifts starting at 1:30 p.m. outside his headquarters area. Relying on the Treasury Board Travel Directive (TBTD), he asked for the meal he ate at mid shift of each of his shifts to be reimbursed at the dinner rate. The Respondent refused on the ground that the Grievor was entitled to a reimbursement of his meals at the lunch rate pursuant to section 3.2.9 of the TBTD. The Respondent indicated that if the Grievor had paid an amount greater than this rate for his meals, he had to present supporting documents. The Grievor filed a grievance in which he asked for the reimbursement of his two meals at the dinner rate. He stated that he had these meals during the evening period when dinner is normally eaten, and he was therefore entitled to the full dinner amount, without a receipt.

The Level I Adjudicator dismissed the Grievor's grievance because, according to section 3.2.9 of the TBTD, the Grievor, as a shift worker, could have his meals reimbursed based on the meal sequence of breakfast, lunch and dinner. According to the Level I Adjudicator, the Grievor was entitled to the lunch amount, without a receipt, for the meal eaten at mid shift.

The ERC found that the TBTD clearly indicates that shift workers are to be reimbursed based on the meal sequence of breakfast, lunch and dinner, regardless of the time their shift begins. By applying this principle to the Grievor's situation, he was to have breakfast at his expense before beginning his shift at 1:30 p.m. He could then claim the allowance, at the lunch rate, for the meal consumed at mid shift. If the Grievor spent more than the allowed rate for lunch, he had to provide supporting documents in order to receive the actual amount spent, as provided under section 3.2.9 of theTBTD.

The ERC recommended to the Commissioner of the RCMP that the grievance be denied.

The Commissioner's decision, as summarized by his office, is as follows:

[TRANSLATION]

The Grievor presented a grievance against the Respondent's refusal to reimburse him for meals at the dinner rate, without a receipt. The Respondent submitted that without a receipt the Grievor's request could not be granted. The Level I Adjudicator denied the grievance on the ground that according to the Treasury Board Travel Directive (TBTD), the Grievor was rather entitled to a reimbursement of his meals at the lunch rate, without a supporting document.

The Commissioner accepted the ERC's recommendations. The Grievor worked 10-hour shifts and claimed a reimbursement for a meal per shift. According to the TBTD, the Grievor is entitled to a reimbursement of his meals at the lunch rate, without providing a receipt. The grievance is denied.