Judgment 470
47th Session, 1982
Pan American Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Summary
Extract:
The complainant's contract expired and his post was simultaneously abolished. The organization applied the provision on the termination of temporary contracts. The Tribunal maintains that the provision on abolition of posts is applicable to temporary officials; a provision which deprives certain officials of benefiting from this provision is without effect because it does not respect the hierarchical ranking of rules.
Reference(s)
Organization rules reference: ARTICLE 1050.4 OF THE PAHO STAFF RULES
Keywords:
abolition of post; applicable law; contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; precedence of rules;
Consideration 3(C)
Extract:
PAHO Staff Rule 1050.2 establishes the conditions and consequences of abolishing posts. "There is no sound reason to apply [the rule] in favour only of officials whose post is abolished during an appointment to the exclusion of those whose post is abolished at the end of the appointment. It is true that in general the former fare worse than the latter. The difference between the two is not, however, such as to warrant any difference in treatment."
Reference(s)
Organization rules reference: ARTICLE 1050.2 OF THE PAHO STAFF RULES
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; equal treatment; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; termination of employment;
Consideration 7
Extract:
A letter from the Director to an official of the organization may be regarded as evidence of hostility towards the complainant as well as an act of sound administration; the telephone conversation between the Director and a member of the government is open to more than one interpretation. However, after informing the complainant in March that his appointment would end in June, the organization extended his appointment several times, "and thereby displayed genuine consideration. The Tribunal cannot therefore find that the allegation of personal prejudice is proved."
Keywords:
abolition of post; bias; contract; evidence; fixed-term; lack of evidence; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 4
Extract:
The complainant had worked for the organisation for 12 years; he was nearing retirement age; his work had never aroused criticism. "Had his post not been abolished, therefore, he would certainly have had his appointment extended. To refuse an extension to such a deserving staff member would have constituted a misuse of authority which would have entitled the Tribunal to interfere. Accordingly, it was the abolition alone which made the complainant leave".
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; fixed-term; grounds; non-renewal of contract; satisfactory service;
Judgment 469
47th Session, 1982
Pan American Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 4
Extract:
Expiry of contract on 30 November. The complainant was informed of the abolition of her post with effect from 1 February and the extension of her contract until 31 January. "The fixed term of the complainant's contract being for a year, when the last date [one month before the end of the contract, the time limit stipulated by the Regulations] passed without notification of non-renewal, the effect was to extend the appointment until 30 November [of the following year]. The notice to extend until 31 January [of that same year], which was never accepted by the complainant, was therefore ineffective, and her appointment was terminated prematurely by the abolition of her post."
Reference(s)
Organization rules reference: ARTICLE 1050.4 OF THE PAHO STAFF RULES
Keywords:
abolition of post; complainant; contract; extension of contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; notice; refusal;
Consideration 7
Extract:
"It is true that the abolition of a post does not automatically terminate the holder's appointment and therefore does not automatically attract an indemnity under [the applicable rule]. Does this give the organization the option of terminating the appointment under another rule ? In the circumstances of this case it is unnecessary for the Tribunal to answer that question." It is the provision establishing an indemnity in the event of post abolition that is applicable in the instant case.
Keywords:
abolition of post; applicable law; contract; fixed-term; material damages; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 3
Extract:
The Staff Rules provide both for automatic termination of contract and advance notice. The Tribunal has consistently found that a decision not to re-appoint is required, as well as notice before the prescribed date. "To interpret the rule as terminating the appointment automatically on the expiry date whether or not a notification was given would not only do violence to the text by rendering the provision for notification otiose, but would also be unreasonable and unfair [...]."
Keywords:
case law; contract; date; fixed-term; interpretation; non-renewal of contract; notice; organisation's duties; provision; staff regulations and rules;
Consideration 5
Extract:
If an advance notice was necessary it was given out of time and thus the appointment was not terminated. If it was not necessary, the appointment terminated automatically. "Presumably, it must be the view of the organization that the failure to give notice in time does prevent the automatic termination, but preserves the right of the organization to give a month's notice at any time thereafter, irrespective of whether the circumstances are normal or abnormal. The Tribunal cannot adopt this construction of the rule."
Keywords:
consequence; contract; date; extension of contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; notice; organisation's duties;
Judgment 465
47th Session, 1982
European Southern Observatory
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 4
Extract:
The organisation's offer to convert the complainant's fixed-term contract into a contract without limit of time was not arbitrary. It was evidence of the organisation's view "that it need no longer reconsider at regular intervals whether or not to employ him" and evidence therefore of its confidence in him. "Had he accepted [the organisation's] offer it could have got rid of him only if he had committed a disciplinary offence. He would have enjoyed greater employment stability and yet would still have had the right to terminate the contract at any time. His obligations [...] would [...] have been no greater."
Keywords:
amendment to the rules; complainant; contract; fixed-term; offer; organisation; permanent appointment; refusal; security of tenure;
Judgment 448
46th Session, 1981
Pan American Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 10
Extract:
"Because of the flaws in the decision [not to renew her contract] the Tribunal may either set it aside or award the complainant compensation. The former would mean reinstating her. From the written evidence it is clear that mutual trust between the complainant and the [Organization] has diminished to the point where it is unlikely that she can again be usefully employed. Her reinstatement is therefore inadvisable and the Tribunal will accordingly award compensation".
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; flaw; material damages; non-renewal of contract; reinstatement;
Consideration 4
Extract:
Under the material provisions, the Organization is not required to give reasons for its decision not to extend an appointment; if he so requests, an official can get an explanation from his supervisor. "The Tribunal may, however, exercise the power of review which it assumes in such cases only in the light of the grounds given for the decision to terminate the appointment, and if those grounds are not clear from the actual decision will seek to determine them from the other written evidence."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; duty to substantiate decision; fixed-term; grounds; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 8(a)
Extract:
In deciding not to renew her appointment without taking account of the various elements in the complainant's favour and by basing his decision exclusively on the opinion of her two supervisors, the Director-General exceeded the limits of his discretionary authority.
Keywords:
contract; different appraisals; discretion; disregard of essential fact; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 8(b)
Extract:
"The political activities [the complainant] is said to have engaged in were never investigated and cannot therefore serve to excuse the inadequacy of the grounds for the decision. Even though the protests came from governments of [the Organization's] member states they are not decisive. The Organization cannot bow to a government's wishes before making sure that they are compatible with its own interests."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; independence; lack of evidence; member state; non-renewal of contract; organisation; organisation's interest; political activity;
Consideration 2
Extract:
The Staff Rules provide "that a fixed-term or short-term appointment shall terminate automatically on the completion of the agreed period of service unless it is extended. Construed literally, the Rule means that all that is needed for such an appointment to terminate is that the period of the contract should expire. It does not mean, however, that on the expiry of that period the Organisation is wholly free to continue to employ the staff member or not. PAHO bodies enjoy wide discretion in the matter, but they are not free to decide entirely as they please".
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; limits; non-renewal of contract;
Judgment 444
46th Session, 1981
World Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 1
Extract:
Assurances were allegedly given that the complainant's temporary contract would be replaced by a fixed-term contract. This was done later than expected and the complainant suffered some financial loss. However, he does not prove that the assurance he allegedly received was anything more than an expression of hope and belief.
Keywords:
administrative delay; amendment to the rules; burden of proof; contract; duration of appointment; fixed-term; lack of evidence; promise; short-term;
Judgment 431
45th Session, 1980
International Atomic Energy Agency
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations 3-4
Extract:
"It is true that an official may have a good reason for waiving his rights. But the Tribunal will not consider such waiver to be established unless it may be clearly inferred from all the circumstances of the case. It may not be inferred merely from statements which the official may have made on one particular day: it must be evident from his general attitude over a longer period of time." The complainant's signature (on an extension of contract) cannot be interpreted in the present case as a waiver which precludes his claiming relief from the Tribunal.
Keywords:
condition; contract; extension of contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; right of appeal; waiver of right of appeal;
Consideration 6
Extract:
When an organisation is considering whether or not to renew the contract of a government official of a Member State, it is reasonable that it should once again consult the Member State it consulted at the time of the initial appointment. It is conceivable that the mMmber State will wish to re-recruit its former official. Where sound reasons for opposition to the renewal are expressed or implied, the Director-General will go along with them. "But he may not forgo taking a decision in the organisation's interests for the sole purpose of satisfying a Member State."
Keywords:
consultation; contract; fixed-term; grounds; member state; non-renewal of contract; refusal;
Consideration 9
Extract:
"Where a decision not to extend an appointment is improper the Tribunal generally awards compensation less than the amount of remuneration which the complainant would have received up to the end of a further appointment."
Keywords:
amount; contract; fixed-term; material damages; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 4
Extract:
The complainant relies on a practice whereby inspectors who have given satisfactory service for two years would normally have their appointments renewed for five-year periods. "That is only a general practice [...] not a binding rule. In other words, it neither laid any obligation on the Director-General in this case nor conferred any right on the complainant."
Keywords:
amendment to the rules; binding character; contract; duration of appointment; extension of contract; five-year review; fixed-term; practice;
Consideration 7
Extract:
In letting the interests of a Member State prevail over those of the organisation for no valid reason, the Director-General committed a misuse of authority which taints his decision not to renew the contract. The Tribunal need not consider whether the impugned decision is further tainted with any error of law.
Keywords:
abuse of power; contract; fixed-term; member state; misuse of authority; non-renewal of contract; organisation's interest;
Judgment 427
45th Session, 1980
Pan American Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 19(B)
Extract:
The complainant's appointment was not renewed, that decision being contrary to the organization's interests. The Tribunal awards compensation in full based on the amount he would have earned through regular contract renewal. "The complainant asks also 'that the wrongful suspension from duty should not affect his pension rights.' The Tribunal is not competent to make an order in that form, but the complainant may claim compensation for loss or diminution of pension rights as for loss of salary and emoluments."
Keywords:
bias; competence of tribunal; contract; fixed-term; injury; material damages; non-renewal of contract; pension; pension entitlements; suspension;
Consideration 19(B)
Extract:
The complainant asks for "compensation 'based on the amount he would have earned through regular contract renewal'. This is not a basis usually taken in cases of non-renewal, for it has always to be remembered that in such a case a complainant has been deprived not of a contractual right but only of an expectation [...]. In the present case [...] the expectation was very solid [...]. In these exceptional circumstances the Tribunal concludes that full financial compensation should be given on the basis claimed."
Keywords:
amount; contract; damages; fixed-term; legitimate expectation; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 18
Extract:
"Prima facie it was in the interests of the organization that the complainant's contract should be renewed. [...] It would not be in the interests of the organization [...] that staff members who are free to run for the office of director should not also feel free to do so without fear of suffering adverse consequences. [...] It would be impossible on any objective assessment of the situation to justify as in the interests of the organization a decision to pay the complainant for six months for doing nothing rather than to give him the opportunity of making good his promise [to co-operate]. [...] The Tribunal considers that on the evidence the high probability is that the complainant would have given useful and loyal service to the organization for the rest of his career."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's interest; presumption; special leave;
Consideration 15
Extract:
"While a candidate who is standing against an incumbent director must be free to criticise in moderate language his opponent's record, it may well be argued, as it is in this case, that his proclaimed opposition to the director who is re-elected may interfere with fruitful co-operation. So an assessment that was objective and unprejudiced might have arrived at the same conclusion as the director's [on the basis of which the complainant's contract was not renewed]." However the Tribunal held that decision to be biased.
Keywords:
candidate; contract; election; executive head; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; working relations;
Consideration 2
Extract:
The reason for the decision not to renew the contract "was that the position which [the complainant] is said to have taken 'precludes all possibility of the continuation of a fruitful working relationship between yourself and the management'. This reason, on the face of it conclusive, is attacked by the complainant on the ground that the decision resulted from personal prejudice on the part of the Director or from incomplete consideration by him of the facts. These grounds [taken from the Staff Rules] fall within the Tribunal's limited power of review and are such, if they are established, as to authorise and require the Tribunal to quash the main decision not to renew."
Keywords:
bias; conduct; contract; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 19(D)
Extract:
"It is not a simple case of non-renewal. The complainant was the victim of a misconceived charge of misconduct of which the Director pronounced him to be guilty. The letter dropping the charge contained no withdrawal or apology and was composed as if the dropping was an act of lenience [...]. The illegal use of [the provision respecting special leave] made it appear as if the complainant had been summarily dismissed. [...] By these acts the complainant must have been caused deep distress. On the natural assumption that this course of action was pursued by a Director exercising wisdom and impartiality the interested public would inevitably conclude that the complainant had in some way disgraced himself".
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; lack of evidence; moral injury; non-renewal of contract; professional injury; respect for dignity; serious misconduct;
Consideration 12
Extract:
"The charge of misconduct is so preposterous and the Director's eagerness, before hearing the defence to the charge, to use it as a ground for dismissal is so manifest that resentment is the only explanation. Accordingly the Tribunal cannot view the letter [of dismissal] as that of a man who would be able to take a detached view of the conduct of the complainant whether in relation to a disciplinary charge or to an assessment of his future usefulness to the organization." The decision is defective as vitiated by prejudice.
Keywords:
bias; conduct; contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; serious misconduct;
Judgment 421
45th Session, 1980
International Labour Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations 3 and 7
Extract:
the staff regulations make no special provisions about the way in which a decision not to renew a contract is to be taken. the director-general had set up a working party to advise him on the matter of staff reductions. the instructions to the working party cannot in the opinion of the tribunal be read as requiring it to apply the statutory procedure appropriate to decisions concerning termination of appointment in the event of staff reductions.
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; fixed-term; no provision; non-renewal of contract; procedure before the tribunal; staff reduction;
Judgment 415
44th Session, 1980
World Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 6
Extract:
It is not open to the Director-General to substitute another preference for that expressed in the Staff Regulations for "persons already in the service [...] to do so is beyond his lawful powers. [...] The Regional Director in deciding not to extend the complainant's contract on the ground that her post was abolished, failed to take into consideration the other posts that were or should have been open to her and for which she should have been given preference."
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; priority; reassignment;
Consideration 5
Extract:
The complainant's post was abolished and she was not offered two vacant posts. The Tribunal draws the inference "that the continuation of her own work was not offered to the complainant (who would have accepted it, although at a lower grade) with the consequent renewal of her contract, because a decision had already been taken not to extend her contract on the grounds of her nationality."
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; fixed-term; grounds; nationality; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 7
Extract:
The complainant's post was abolished and her contract was not renewed. The Staff Regulations stipulate that preference should be given to "persons already in the service" but the complainant was denied the benefit of such preference. "She has not been deprived of any contractual rights to salary or pension, but only of expectation of further employment. The Tribunal considers that the appropriate award of compensation is 8,000 Swiss francs."
Keywords:
abolition of post; amount; contract; damages; fixed-term; legitimate expectation; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; priority; reassignment;
Judgment 414
44th Session, 1980
International Labour Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 2
Extract:
"Although such a change is not expressly provided for in any text, it is by no means precluded. There is nothing to prevent an official who has left the organisation for some reason or other from being reappointed and it is therefore equally admissible to replace one kind of appointment with another."
Keywords:
amendment to the rules; contract; duration of appointment; fixed-term; permanent appointment;
Consideration 4
Extract:
The organisation experienced financial difficulties and reduced the number of posts. Efforts were made to reassign the complainant, whose contract without limit of time had been replaced by a fixed-term appointment. The "lack of success [of these efforts] does not mean that the [organisation] failed in its obligations. indeed it was only to be expected in the circumstances. [...] There is no evidence to suggest that it appointed staff members less well qualified than he to duties which might have suited him."
Keywords:
abolition of post; amendment to the rules; budgetary reasons; contract; duration of appointment; fixed-term; organisation's duties; permanent appointment; reassignment; staff reduction;
Consideration 2
Extract:
The complainant had a choice between two solutions: either to go ahead with the internal procedure or to enter into a fixed-term contract. He was able to make his choice freely and was not subject to any pressure. "The most that can be said is that there would have been duress had the [organisation] declared a fictitious abolition of the complainant's appointment without limit of time in order to make him consent to a fixed-term appointment. But it did not do so. The abolition of his permanent post formed part of a real reorganisation and was no mere pretext.
Keywords:
abolition of post; acceptance; contract; duration of appointment; duress; fixed-term; permanent appointment; waiver of right of appeal;
Judgment 406
43rd Session, 1980
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
In the circumstances of the case, it appears to be natural that the appointment should not be renewed. In his submissions the complainant offers no proof of prejudice or illegality. The material "may or may not be such as would give the complainant a remedy for breach of contract. But its only relevance to a complaint of non-renewal is to show that the relationship between the parties was such that it could not conceivably be in the interests of the organization to continue it."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's interest;
Considerations
Extract:
There is provision for the possibility of an extension and an expert, "whose assignment has run smoothly and for whom the circumstances show a continuing need, is entitled to expect that [...] an unprejudiced decision will be taken in the interests of the organisation. This does not mean that the organisation is required to justify a non-renewal as if it was an interference with a contractual right."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; legitimate expectation; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; organisation's interest; project personnel;
Judgment 404
43rd Session, 1980
International Labour Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 1(D)
Extract:
No provision provides for converting an appointment of indeterminate duration into a fixed-term one. "There is neither any general principle of law nor any provision of the Staff Regulations nor any term of her contract of appointment which precludes such a change of status."
Keywords:
amendment to the rules; contract; duration of appointment; fixed-term; no provision; permanent appointment;
Consideration 2
Extract:
"There was one consideration which alone warranted the non-renewal of [the complainant's] appointment. That was the organisation's straitened financial circumstances [...] which required a reduction in staff. It was no abuse of authority for the Director-General to decide that, of those whose appointment the organisation was considering terminating, the choice should fall on the complainant: she held a fixed-term appointment and had received less satisfactory performance reports than other members of the staff."
Keywords:
budgetary reasons; contract; fixed-term; grounds; non-renewal of contract; staff reduction; unsatisfactory service;
Consideration 4
Extract:
"The complainant maintains that the organisation was remiss in facilitating her transfer to some other international organisation. Her plea can succeed only if the organisation was under a duty to find for her or help her to find other employment. It was not".
Keywords:
duty of care; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; transfer;
Judgment 359
41st Session, 1978
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 6
Extract:
The complainant's claims for damages are excessive. Since he had been informed that an extension of his contract gave him one "last chance", "he must have known that his position in [the organization] was precarious. The extensions of his appointment [...] were so short that he should have realised that he stood to lose his employment in a few months' time and that it would therefore be reasonable to look for employment outside [the organization]."
Keywords:
amount; contract; extension of contract; fixed-term; material damages; non-renewal of contract; successive contracts;
Consideration 6
Extract:
It is not desirable to allow the complainant's claim for reinstatement. "It does not appear from the dossier that [the organization] could at present make use of his services in any vacant post. [T]he sum of one year's salary will compensate the prejudice for which he is entitled to damages." [17 years' service; non-renewal of appointment resulting from abuse of authority.]
Keywords:
amount; contract; damages; decision quashed; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; reinstatement;
Consideration 5
Extract:
"[I]t appears from the evidence in the dossier that the circumstances in which the complainant's appointment ended amount to an abuse of authority." [no description of post, no detailed comment on his performance, hence either omission of essential facts or clearly mistaken conclusions from the facts, hence quashing of decision.]
Keywords:
abuse of power; contract; disregard of essential fact; fixed-term; mistaken conclusion; misuse of authority; non-renewal of contract; omission; organisation's duties; performance report; post description;
Judgment 354
41st Session, 1978
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 3
Extract:
In deciding whether or not to extend a staff member's appointment the Director-General must take account of all the facts in the file of the person concerned. Where the latter has been subject to a disciplinary sanction, that must be weighed against other facts in the staff member's favour in order to reach a decision in the organisation's interests alone. It is lawful, save in exceptional circumstances, to take into account a disciplinary sanction. To impose a covert disciplinary sanction would be unlawful.
Keywords:
contract; disciplinary measure; fixed-term; hidden disciplinary measure; non-renewal of contract; organisation's interest;
Consideration 2
Extract:
It appears from the applicable rule "that it is within the Director-General's discretionary authority to decide whether or not to renew a fixed-term appointment. Because that authority is discretionary, [the person concerned] has no right to extension of appointment, and where it is not extended the tribunal's power of review is limited. The Tribunal may interfere with the Director-General's exercise of his discretionary authority only if the decision not to extend [...]."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 3
Extract:
The Director-General's decision, "inasmuch as it was based on appreciations of fact [...] is not subject to review by the Tribunal."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Judgment 351
41st Session, 1978
World Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
The complainant was informed on 28 June that her appointment, which was to expire on 30 September, would not be extended. On 30 June she applied for prenatal and postnatal leave, expecting her confinement on 22 October. The Director saw no objection to extending her appointment to the date of expiry of her maternity leave. The complainant was prematurely confined on 9 August. As a consequence of this new fact the organization granted her postnatal leave of 12 weeks and extended her appointment to 31 October. The complainant suffered no prejudice; the organization not only committed no impropriety but correctly applied the relevant provisions of the Staff Rules.
Keywords:
contract; enforcement; extension of contract; fixed-term; maternity leave; non-renewal of contract; staff regulations and rules;
Considerations
Extract:
There is no evidence that the dismissal in question was based on reasons extraneous to the interests of the organization or was tainted with abuse of authority. The organization maintains that the measure was due solely to the savings which it must now make. "The Tribunal may neither pass judgment on a policy which falls within the sole competence of the [organization] nor review action taken in pursuance of that policy."
Keywords:
budgetary reasons; contract; discretion; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract; organisation's interest;
Judgment 337
40th Session, 1978
International Labour Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
"The extension of fixed-term appointments is a matter which falls within the Director-General's discretionary authority and the Tribunal may interfere with his decision only in specific and limited circumstances."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Considerations
Extract:
"In his pleas the complainant merely contests the judgments of fact made by the Director-General, and so the Tribunal may not interfere."
Keywords:
contract; executive head; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Considerations
Extract:
By the extension of his contract, "the complainant was actually given five months' notice and there is nothing in [the Regulations] which required the administration to tell him the reasons for not renewing his appointment, provided the reasons were not tainted with any of the flaws which enable the Tribunal to interfere".
Keywords:
contract; discretion; duty to substantiate decision; extension of contract; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; notice;
Judgment 324
39th Session, 1977
World Health Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Consideration 2
Extract:
The impugned decision was a refusal to renew the complainant's contract. "That is a decision of a discretionary nature and one which the Tribunal may quash only if [...]."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Consideration 3
Extract:
"Use of a computer by an unqualified or unscrupulous person may lead to errors or breaches of confidence. That is why it is important to define exactly the duties of the staff of a body such as the International Computing Centre and require every single employee to show strict respect for the limits of his duties. The complainant was employed as an operator and in exceeding his functions as such failed in a basic duty. In other words, whatever the actual consequences of his conduct may have been, it warranted the decision not to renew his appointment."
Keywords:
contract; fixed-term; grounds; misconduct; non-renewal of contract; staff member's duties;
Judgment 321
39th Session, 1977
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
The complainant's contract, a fixed-term appointment, expired. "The very fact that the Director-General gave him several short extensions of appointment shows that the organization did indeed try to keep him on the staff by granting him an appointment of longer duration. Although he applied unsuccessfully for many vacancies, it was for the Director-General alone, since he is responsible for the efficient running of the organization, to decide whether to offer the complainant any of those vacancies. Besides, because of his grade [D.1] few posts could be offered to him."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; organisation's duties; short-term; successive contracts;
Judgment 316
39th Session, 1977
International Labour Organization
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
"The decision to renew or not to renew a contract falls within the discretion of the Director-General. His conclusion that the allegations are not well founded must be accepted by the Tribunal unless he has misused his discretion."
Keywords:
contract; discretion; fixed-term; judicial review; non-renewal of contract;
Judgment 312
38th Session, 1977
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Extracts: EN,
FR
Full Judgment Text: EN,
FR
Considerations
Extract:
"In the circumstances, the Appeals Committee's finding that [the complainant] was [...] wholly commendable and that her retention in employment would have served the [organization's] interests was no reason for the Director-General, who bears sole responsibility for the smooth running of the organization, not to exercise his authority and, on the expiry of the complainant's appointment, either refuse her a new appointment [...] or conclude a new contract with her or with [someone with different qualifications]."
Keywords:
abolition of post; contract; discretion; fixed-term; non-renewal of contract; satisfactory service;
