EEOC Appeal No. 0120142165
01-06-2016
August V. v. Dep't of Transp.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
August V.,1
Complainant,
v.
Anthony Foxx,
Secretary,
Department of Transportation
(Federal Aviation Administration),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120142165
Agency No. 2013-25342-FAA-05
DECISION
Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated April 15, 2014, dismissing his complaint of unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq. For the following reasons, the Commission REVERSES the Agency's final decision.
BACKGROUND
On January 23, 2014, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination in reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when:
Effective March 24, 2013, Complainant was removed from his position of Temporary- Front Line Manager
The Agency dismissed Complainant's complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The Agency stated Complainant did not initiate EEO contact until September 20, 2013, which is beyond the 45-day time frame requirement. The Agency noted Complainant claimed that he was unaware of the time frame requirement and/or believed that because he had filed an internal Accountability Board complaint, that the time frame for filing this EEO complaint would be tolled. However, the Agency stated Complainant should have been aware of the 45-day requirement. Specifically, the Agency cited records which it stated provided evidence that Complainant should have been aware of the time frame requirement. The evidence included: (1) a sign-in sheet for training for Front Line Managers, which included EEO training, with Complainant's name and signature dated February 27, 2013; (2) Complainant's training history from November 2006 through March 1, 2013, which included five EEO courses, two Accountability Board courses, and three No Fear Act courses; and (3) a picture of an EEO posting on a bulletin board at Complainant's facility.
On appeal, Complainant stated that he believed that because he had timely filed an internal Accountability Board complaint that the time frame for filing the EEO complaint would be tolled. Complainant also stated that the "evidence" that the Agency used in dismissing his claim as untimely was that he had signed in and attended various EEO training courses. However, Complainant noted there was no evidence suggesting that the EEO courses he attended had specifically addressed the 45-day time frame requirement. Additionally, Complainant stated that confusing and misleading comments were made in EEO courses that led him to believe that because he had timely filed the Accountability Board complaint, he would be allowed to file the EEO complaint if the Accountability Board matter was not resolved to his satisfaction.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.105(a)(1) provides that an aggrieved person must initiate contact with an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 days of the effective date of the action. EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.105(a)(2) allows the agency or the Commission to extend the time limit if the complainant can establish that Complainant was not aware of the time limit, that Complainant did not know and reasonably should not have known that the discriminatory matter or personnel action occurred, that despite due diligence Complainant was prevented by circumstances beyond her control from contacting the EEO Counselor within the time limit, or for other reasons considered sufficient by the Agency or Commission.
Upon review, we find that the Agency has not produced sufficient evidence to establish that Complainant had actual or constructive knowledge notice of the time limit for contacting an EEO Counselor. While the Agency does provide a copy of the EEO poster it states was on display at Complainant's work facility, we note the poster is mostly illegible and the part that is legible (the top portion of the poster) does not list the 45-day time limit. We further note that the Agency submitted a copy of Complainant's training record from November 2006 through March 2013; however, there is no evidence that any of the referenced training outlined the 45-day limitation period. Thus, we find the Agency improperly dismissed Complainant's complaint for untimely EEO Counselor contact.
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, we REVERSE the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's formal complaint and we REMAND the complaint to the Agency for further processing in accordance with the ORDER herein.
ORDER (E0610)
The Agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108. The Agency shall acknowledge to the Complainant that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final. The Agency shall issue to Complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify Complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the Complainant requests a final decision without a hearing, the Agency shall issue a final decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of Complainant's request.
A copy of the Agency's letter of acknowledgment to Complainant and a copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0610)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory. The Agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013. The Agency's report must contain supporting documentation, and the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the Complainant. If the Agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the Complainant may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(a). The Complainant also has the right to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407, 1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the Complainant has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File a Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999). If the Complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0815)
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 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), at Chap. 9 � VII.B (Aug. 5, 2015). All requests and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013. 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 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 (R0610)
This is a decision requiring the Agency to continue its administrative processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date you filed your complaint with the Agency, or filed your appeal with the Commission. 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. Filing a civil action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
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 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
January 6, 2016
__________________
Date
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.
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