Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ

2015-Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT-571

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Held or Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT Pronouncements

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT¡¯s finding regarding the application of ST/AI/2002/3, namely that as the provisions of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA Separation Policy contravened the ones in ST/AI/2002/3, the latter should apply, was an error of law and fact as ST/AI/2002/3 was not applicable to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT rejected Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT¡¯s finding that the timing of the decision to terminate the Appellant¡¯s permanent contract for unsatisfactory service meant that a new procedure should have been initiated based on the new period of reference. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that it would be unreasonable to require the Administration to restart the termination process if a new performance appraisal is completed before a final termination decision is taken, which would potentially place the Administration in an endless cycle where it could never be in a position to terminate the appointment of a staff member. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT further held that legal certainty required administrative issuances to be applied in a predictable manner and once the procedure foreseen in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA Separation Policy was initiated, it should be followed through. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT erred in finding that the separation was unlawful as there was no formal request for rebuttal or formal report of harassment to be resolved. Noting that the Appellant was given a reasonable opportunity to improve her performance and that her performance ratings from 2006 to 2008 justified her separation from service, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that the impugned decision constituted a reasonable and lawful exercise of discretion in accordance with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµFPA Separation Policy and that due process was adhered to by the Administration. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that the separation was lawful and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT erred in rescinding the termination of the Appellant¡¯s appointment and awarding compensation. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT allowed the appeal and vacated the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT judgment.

Decision Contested or Judgment/Order Appealed

The Applicant contested the termination of her appointment for unsatisfactory performance. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT found for the Applicant.

Legal Principle(s)

Administrative issuances shall not apply to the separately administered funds, organs and programmes of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ, unless otherwise stated therein, or unless the separately administered funds, organs and programmes have expressly accepted their applicability.

Outcome

Appeal granted

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The judgment summaries were generally prepared in English. They were translated into French and are being reviewed for accuracy of the translation.