The overall quality of life at a duty station is taken into consideration in the hardship categorization of the duty station. However, the hardship classification of a duty station in itself does not determine the status of a duty station as “family” or “non-family”.
In determining the degree of hardship, consideration is given to local conditions of safety and security, health care, education, housing, climate, isolation and the availability of the basic amenities of life. Duty stations are categorized on a scale of difficulty from A to E with E being the most difficult. The hardship allowance provides staff with compensation to make whatever arrangements they deem necessary to manage under the circumstances or to supplement for the lack of adequate facilities at the duty station. In addition, where there is a lack of adequate school at the duty station, the education grant provides for additional education grant travel and a higher amount for board for children attending school outside the duty station at the primary and secondary levels.
Even if a duty station is designated family duty station, staff members may decide not to bring his or her family to the duty station where he or she is serving. If a staff member chooses not to bring his or her family to the duty station, he or she can continue to make use of the Family Visit Travel or Education Grant Travel, if applicable.