Arthur J.,1 Complainant,v.John Kerry, Secretary, Department of State, Agency.Download PDFEqual Employment Opportunity CommissionMay 26, 20160520160203 (E.E.O.C. May. 26, 2016) Copy Citation U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Arthur J.,1 Complainant, v. John Kerry, Secretary, Department of State, Agency. Request No. 0520160203 Appeal No. 0120150303 Agency No. DOS-F-072-13 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120150303 (Jan. 7, 2016). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c). On February 24, 2013, Complainant filed an EEO complaint alleging that the Agency discriminated against him based on his sex (male) and national origin (American) when he was terminated on November 30, 2012. The Agency initially dismissed the complaint, reasoning that he was not an employee of the Agency. In Complainant v. Dep’t of State, EEOC Appeal No. 0120132731 (Jan. 24, 2014), the Commission found that under common law, the Agency jointly employed Complainant, and reversed the dismissal. Following an investigation into the remanded complaint, the Agency issued a final Agency decision (FAD) finding that Complainant failed to show that his termination was based on his national origin or sex. Complainant appealed and, in Arthur J. v. Dep’t of State, EEOC 1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant’s name when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website. 0520160203 2 Appeal No. 0120150303 (Jan. 7, 2016), the Commission affirmed the FAD finding that Complainant failed to show that he was subjected to discrimination as alleged. In his request for reconsideration, Complainant expresses his disagreement with the previous decision and reiterates numerous arguments previously raised on appeal. The Commission emphasizes that a request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110) (Aug. 5, 2015), at 9-18; see, e.g., Lopez v. Dep't of Agric., EEOC Request No. 0520070736 (Aug. 20, 2007). Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or will have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant has not done so here. After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c), and it is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120150303 remains the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request. COMPLAINANT’S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610) This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal from the Commission’s decision. 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. RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815) If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. Such requests do not alter the 0520160203 3 time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to File a Civil Action for the specific time limits). FOR THE COMMISSION: ______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature Carlton M. Hadden, Director Office of Federal Operations May 26, 2016 Date Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation