Lost Effects

The grievor sought reimbursement of the cost of an oriental rug which was lost during shipment to a post abroad.

The grievor had purchased the rug at the post abroad in 1978 however, the rug had not been appraised until prior to his posting to a new post abroad in 1981. The Administrative Committee considered the report of the Foreign Service Directives Committee and noted that it was not clear whether the "replacement cost for like kind and quality" as determined by the appraiser for a new carpet or took into the consideration the age and condition the carpet (depreciation), subsequent correspondence with the appraiser did not clarify this issue nor did an appraisal of a second similar carpet by another appraiser.

The Administrative Committee agreed with the report of the Foreign Service Directives Commit tee in that the grievor was treated within the intent of the directive - that is on the basis of the replacement cost submitted with the inventory less normal depreciation in accordance with the Depreciation Reference Table in effect at that time.

The Administrative Committee further agreed with the report of the Foreign Service Directives Committee that it could not now be determined whether, and in what amount, depreciation was taken into account by the appraiser at the time the inventory was prepared. In view of that uncertainty, it could be accepted that the $950.00 replacement cost may have included depreciation and that the grievor be reimbursed the full amount claimed of $950.00. It was further agreed that this is an exceptional case and is not to be regarded as a precedent. In future, the Depreciation Reference Table is to be applied wherever applicable, i.e. where the item for which compensation is being claimed appears in the Table.

The grievance was upheld.