Carolyn Destin, Complainant,v.Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionMar 4, 2009
0120090648 (E.E.O.C. Mar. 4, 2009)

0120090648

03-04-2009

Carolyn Destin, Complainant, v. Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.


Carolyn Destin,

Complainant,

v.

Michael Chertoff,

Secretary,

Department of Homeland Security,

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120090648

Agency No. HS06ICE000204

Hearing No. 460-2006-00082X

DECISION

Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405, the Commission accepts complainant's

appeal from the agency's October 20, 2008 final order concerning her equal

employment opportunity (EEO) complaint alleging 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. and the Age Discrimination in

Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.

Complainant alleged that the agency discriminated against her on the bases

of race (African American), age (55 years of age at time of incidents

described herein), and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity under

Title VII when:

1. On August 11, 2005, complainant was issued a letter of reprimand; and

2. On July 1, 2005, complainant was charged with being absent without

leave (AWOL).

Following a hearing, an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ) found that the

agency articulated legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions.

Specifically, the AJ found that the agency explained that complainant

was charged with AWOL because she had been an hour and fifteen minutes

late for work and, contrary to agency policy, she had not called in

to alert management that she would be late. As regards the letter

of reprimand, agency officials explained that the letter was issued

because of a pattern of tardiness by complainant, including the July 1,

2005 incident. The AJ further found that complainant failed to establish

that the agency's articulated reasons for its actions were pretexts for

prohibited discrimination.

After a review of the record in its entirety, including consideration

of all statements submitted on appeal, it is the decision of the Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission to affirm the final agency order because

the Administrative Judge's ultimate finding, that unlawful employment

discrimination was not proven by a preponderance of the evidence, is

supported by the record.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M1208)

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), 9-18 (November 9, 1999). 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 (S0408)

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 (Z1008)

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 from the Court

that the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court

also 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 with the Court 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:

______________________________

Carlton M. Hadden, Director

Office of Federal Operations

March 4, 2009

__________________

Date

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0120090648

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0120090648