Angela F. Jackson, Complainant,v.William S. Cohen, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Army and Air Force Exchange Service), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFeb 16, 2000
01990843 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 16, 2000)

01990843

02-16-2000

Angela F. Jackson, Complainant, v. William S. Cohen, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Army and Air Force Exchange Service), Agency.


Angela F. Jackson v. Department of Defense

01990843

February 16, 2000

Angela F. Jackson, )

Complainant, )

) Appeal No. 01990843

v. ) Agency No. 97-063

) Hearing No. 310-98-5213X

William S. Cohen, )

Secretary, )

Department of Defense, )

(Army and Air Force Exchange Service), )

Agency. )

)

DECISION

In accordance with the provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission (EEOC or Commission) Order No. 960.001, complainant's appeal

from the agency's final decision in the above-captioned matter has been

accepted by the Commission.<1> For the reasons that follow, it is the

decision of the Commission to AFFIRM the agency's final decision, which

adopted the recommended findings and conclusions of the Administrative

Judge (AJ).

Pursuant to 64 Fed. Reg 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified at 29

C.F.R. � 1614.405(a)), all post-hearing factual findings by an EEOC

AJ will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Substantial evidence is defined as "such relevant evidence as a reasonable

mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Universal

Camera Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board, 340 U.S. 474, 477 (1951)

(citation omitted). Factual findings include findings based on either

testimonial or documentary evidence. A finding that discriminatory intent

did not exist is a factual finding. See Pullman-Standard Co. v. Swint,

456 U.S. 273, 293 (1982). All legal conclusions by an AJ are subject

to de novo review by the Commission, whether or not a hearing was held.

We note that the AJ erred in stating that complainant could only establish

a prima facie case if she identified comparator employees outside her

protected class who were treated more favorably than she was treated.

See Recommended Decision at 6. While comparative evidence is usually used

to establish disparate treatment, it is not the only means available;

complainant need only set forth some evidence of acts from which, if

otherwise unexplained, an inference of discrimination can be drawn.

Furnco Construction Corp. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567, 576 (1978).

Nonetheless, in the instant case, the AJ found that complainant did

establish a prima facie case of discrimination, and therefore the outcome

is not affected. Based on our review of the record, we discern no basis

to disturb the AJ's findings and conclusions, which gave full and fair

consideration to the issues presented in this matter. After a careful

review of the record, including any appeal contentions by the parties,

and any other arguments and evidence not specifically addressed in this

decision, we AFFIRM the agency's final decision.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M1199)

The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this

case if the complainant or the agency submits a written request containing

arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:

1. The appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation

of material fact or law; or

2. The appellate decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,

practices, or operations of the agency.

Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, MUST BE FILED

WITH THE OFFICE OF FEDERAL OPERATIONS (OFO) WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR

DAYS of receipt of this decision or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS

OF RECEIPT OF ANOTHER PARTY'S TIMELY REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION. See

64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter

referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405). All requests and arguments must be

submitted to the Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848, Washington, D.C. 20036. In the

absence of a legible postmark, the request to reconsider shall be deemed

timely filed if it is received by mail within five days of the expiration

of the applicable filing period. See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,661 (1999)

(to be codified and hereinafter referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604).

The request or opposition must also include proof of service on the

other party.

Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your

request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances

prevented the timely filing of the request. Any supporting documentation

must be submitted with your request for reconsideration. The Commission

will consider requests for reconsideration filed after the deadline only

in very limited circumstances. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).

COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S1199)

You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United States

District Court WITHIN NINETY (90) CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you

receive this decision. If you file a civil action, YOU MUST NAME AS THE

DEFENDANT IN THE COMPLAINT THE PERSON WHO IS THE OFFICIAL AGENCY HEAD

OR DEPARTMENT HEAD, IDENTIFYING THAT PERSON BY HIS OR HER FULL NAME AND

OFFICIAL TITLE. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your case

in court. "Agency" or "department" means the national organization, and

not the local office, facility or department in which you work. If you

file a request to reconsider and also file a civil action, filing a civil

action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)

If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot

afford the services of an attorney, you may request that the Court appoint

an attorney to represent you and that the Court permit you to file the

action without payment of fees, costs, or other security. See Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.;

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c).

The grant or denial of the request is within the sole discretion of

the Court. Filing a request for an attorney does not extend your time

in which to file a civil action. Both the request and the civil action

must be filed within the time limits as stated in the paragraph above

("Right to File A Civil Action").

FOR THE COMMISSION:

2/16/00

Date Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director

Office of Federal Operations

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

For timeliness purposes, the Commission will presume that this decision

was received within five (5) calendar days after it was mailed. I certify

that this decision was mailed to complainant, complainant's representative

(if applicable), and the agency on:

__________________________ Date

Equal Employment Assistant

1 On November 9, 1999, revised regulations governing the EEOC's

federal sector complaint process went into effect. These regulations

apply to all federal sector EEO complaints pending at any stage in

the administrative process. Consequently, the Commission will apply

the revised regulations found at 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644 (1999), where

applicable, in deciding the present appeal. The regulations, as

amended, may also be found at the Commission's website at WWW.EEOC.GOV.