Period of retention

Topic

Period of retention

Case number

Issue

The Defence Administrative Orders and Directives 5023-1 - Minimum Operational Standards Related to Universality of Service - provides guidance with respect to offering a Period of Retention (POR) to a member for a maximum period of three years when he/she is permanently unable to meet one or more of the minimum operational standards.  However, if that member’s medical or employment circumstances change in a way that would necessitate a modification of their POR, the policy provides no guidance when it comes to the early termination of that POR.  This lack of policy guidance could have serious implications for members who are at risk of having their POR terminated early.  The Board found that there ought to be a process in place to ensure procedural fairness when contemplating future terminations of a POR.

 

Recommendation

The Board recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff direct the appropriate authorities to undertake a review of the applicable policy, and to create a comprehensive procedure for the cancellation of a POR. This will afford members with the basic procedural fairness that is required in such cases.

Final Authority Decision

Pending