The CAF Grievance process has significantly evolved since the 2015 External Review Report on the Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the CAF
Operation HONOUR was developed to support the implementation of 10 recommendations from the External Review Report
Operation HONOUR is one of the four initiatives identified in Canada’s defence policy: Strong, Secure, Engaged focused on eliminating harmful behaviours and ensuring a work environment free from harassment and discrimination
As a result, there has been a significant investment into the education and prevention of misconduct as well as into avenues for which individuals can seek advice and support, including but not limited to:
Military grievance user-friendly portal that provides thorough information and guidance to all involved parties with detailed steps, forms, policies and directives related to the military grievance process;
Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM) group which is a one-stop shop mandated in the CAF to listen and guide the affected person as to where and how to proceed to resolve the issue;
ICCM system that integrates the previously separate conflict resolution information systems for harassment, grievances, human rights and ADR to provide data and information for decision making; and
Sixteen Conflict Complaint Management Service centres that opened in July 2018 to provide further guidance and support to all affected stakeholders
Different approach in military and civilian grievance processes
Table 2. CAF vs DND Grievance Process. This table shows the different approaches in military and civilian grievance processes.
Approach
CAF
DND
Final Level Accountability
Chief of the Defence Staff (With findings and recommendations from the Military Grievance External Review Committee)
DGWM (ADM(HR-Civ))
Levels
2
3
Assistance to complainant
YES (Assistance provided to member throughout)
YES (Assistance from Union Representative is available upon request)
NO (for excluded/non-represented employees)
Alternative Dispute Resolution
YES (Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management)
YES
Information System
Complaint Management Services (Integrated system for various complaints and grievances)
HRMS and Excel (For labour relations related grievances)
User Interface
Self-help portal for all stakeholders (User-friendly portal with guidance on various conflicting situations, list of agents, guides, forms, policies)
DND Intranet Site
On-going support
16 centres for Conflict Complaint Management Services
16 centres are for CAF members but accept DND Civilians
Table 2 Details – CAF vs DND Grievance Process
Table 3 Details – Other Government Departments Have Similar Challenges
Notable Practice
In June 2018, ADM(HR-Civ) implemented a Sensitive Case Management Sub-Committee through Defence Team Human Resources Committee to engage senior management (ADMs/L1s) in oversight and management of serious grievance cases.
Figure 3. Pilot Civilian Grievance Process. This flow chart shows the pilot civilian grievance process.
Figure 3 Details – Pilot Civilian Grievance Process
Table 4 Details – Current Options - Summary
Table A-1 Details – Types of Recourse Mechanisms
Table B-1 Details – Analysis of 2017 PSES results (DND vs OGDs)
