0520180219
05-10-2018
Bruce P,1 Complainant, v. Jeff B. Sessions, Attorney General, Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Prisons), Agency.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
Bruce P,1
Complainant,
v.
Jeff B. Sessions,
Attorney General,
Department of Justice
(Federal Bureau of Prisons),
Agency.
Request No. 0520180219
Appeal No. 0120151831
Agency No. P201301061
DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120151831 (October 24, 2017). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision issued pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a), 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).
Complainant was a Lieutenant, GS-11, at the Agency's Federal Correction Complex, Low Security Facility, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Complainant filed an EEO complaint alleging that the Agency discriminated against him on the bases of race (African American) and reprisal when he received a "hurt feelings" report, which was disseminated throughout the Agency. That report, prepared by a co-worker, S1, mocked Complainant and called him derogatory names such as "cry-baby", "thin skinned", and "a pussy."
Our prior appellate decision affirmed the Agency's final decision that concluded that Complainant failed to prove that the Agency subjected him to discrimination as alleged. The decision noted that while the "hurt feelings" report was clearly inappropriate, it did not refer to Complainant's race in any way. The decision noted that Complainant did not request a hearing.
In his request for reconsideration, Complainant requests a hearing, saying he did not know he could chose to have a hearing. However, the record contains a document stating that "I do not wish to have a hearing before an Administrative Judge... ." that is signed by Complainant. We emphasize that a request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. See EEO MD-110, Ch. 9, � VII.A. 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. 0120151831 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 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 10, 2018
__________________
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.
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
2
0520180219
3
0520180219