51ÁÔÆæ

The Tribunal found that the letter of 9 June 2015 constitutes, in essence, merely the implementation of the earlier decision to separate the Applicant from the Organization for reason of post abolition. The termination of the Applicant¡¯s appointment was already adjudicated by Judgment Seyfollahzadeh UNDT/2015/037, affirmed by the Appeals Tribunal in its Judgment Seyfollahzadeh 2016-UNAT-620. The Tribunal thus found that the matter was res judicata, and rejected the application. Res judicata: If a termination letter constitutes the mere implementation of an earlier decision to terminate the...

Termination of permanent appointment in case of post abolition: A decision to terminate a permanent appointment of a General Service staff member, taken on the basis of a decision by the General Assembly to abolish all posts in the category of that encumbered by the Applicant is legal, provided that no post at the mission remains for which the Applicant could potentially have been considered.Staff consultation: An essential element of consultation is that each party have the opportunity to make the other party aware of its views. However, consultations are not negotiations and it is not...

Termination of permanent appointment in case of post abolition: A decision to terminate a permanent appointment of a General Service staff member, taken on the basis of a decision by the General Assembly to abolish all posts in the category of that encumbered by the Applicant is legal, provided that no post at the mission remains for which the Applicant could potentially have been considered.Staff consultation: An essential element of consultation is that each party have the opportunity to make the other party aware of its views. However, consultations are not negotiations and it is not...

Standard of proof in disciplinary cases - In disciplinary proceedings it is well settled now that the evidence must be clear and convincing and that would include identification evidence. Evidence of misconduct must be clear and convincing. Findings of fact by the trial judge - As a trier of facts, a first instance judge has the means and power to assess the veracity and accuracy of a witness. The findings of fact of a trial judge should rarely be reversed on appeal unless the findings are so perverse that no reasonable person would have come to the conclusions reached on the facts by the...

In the instant case, the Respondent showed that three available P-5 posts were identified as suitable to the Applicant¡¯s qualifications and experience and that he was invited to apply for them for consideration. If the Applicant had put a foot in the door by applying to any of them, then the next stage would have been for the Tribunal to examine whether UNFPA selected a non-permanent staff member above the qualified Applicant thus denying the Applicant of the protections afforded him by staff rules 9.6(e) and 13(d). Good faith efforts on both sides means that both parties cooperate to identify...

Noting that the Applicant had conceded that his application was filed after the time limit set out in art. 8.1(d)(i)(b), the Tribunal concluded that the application was not receivable rationae temporis because the Applicant failed 51ÁÔÆæ the 90-day filing deadline set out in art. 8.1(d) of the UNDT Statute. The Tribunal then deliberated on the Applicant¡¯s assertion that his application is receivable because the interpretation of art. 8.1(d)(i)(b) is unfair to staff members as it favours an administration that has failed to address management evaluation requests in violation of staff...

The Tribunal held that MONUSCO¡¯s 17 October 2014 inter-office memorandum unambiguously informed the Applicant of the mission¡¯s decision to end his appointment, which at this point was a continuing appointment, by separating him from service on 24 October 2014. The Tribunal held that the 17 October 2014 inter-office memorandum was an administrative decision because it had a direct and adverse impact on the Applicant¡¯s contractual status and had direct legal consequences for him. The Tribunal concluded that the FPD/DFS response of 31 October 2016 was a reiteration of the 17 October 2014 decision...

On receivability: Applying the test of Gabaldon, even though all the conditions of staff rule 4.8 had not been fulfilled, the Applicant had locus standi and was legitimately entitled to similar rights as those of staff members and that the Organization must be regarded as having extended to her the protection of its administration of justice system. She held a valid contract, the scope of which must be determined when other issues are considered. The reach and application of Gabaldon is indeed limited and does not entitle the Applicant to take full benefit of the Staff Regulations regarding...

An assault on a co-worker in connection with work constitutes misconduct, no matter the type of contract or appointment. The direct evidence from written statements, confirmed by strong circumstantial evidence adduced both in the investigation and at the hearing, taken cumulatively constitute a clear and convincing concatenation of evidence establishing, with a high degree of probability, that the alleged misconduct in fact occurred. In the Applicant¡¯s case, whereas the Tribunal would not be inclined to rely heavily on ¡°character witnesses¡± heard rather selectively, the mere fact that the...

The Applicant duly performed the obligation to inform the Administration within the stipulated timelines of his ill health and diligently initiated and maintained communication with his supervisor, UNMISS Human Resources Section (HRS), the UNMISS Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Services Division (MSD). He sent all documentation requested of him in that regard. The review and non-certification of the Applicant¡¯s sick leave were unduly delayed by the MSD and that the said delay was prejudicial to the Applicant. MSD and UNMISS/HRS owed a duty to the Applicant to advise him of the option...