0120120955
04-10-2012
Charmaine Sandifer, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Southeast Area), Agency.
Charmaine Sandifer,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Southeast Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120120955
Agency No. 4G-700-0193-11
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's final decision dated November 28, 2011, dismissing a formal 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.
BACKGROUND
During the period at issue, Complainant worked as a City Letter Carrier at the Agency's Central Carrier Station in New Orleans, Louisiana.
On November 9, 2011, Complainant filed the instant formal complaint. Therein, Complainant alleged that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the bases of sex and in reprisal for prior EEO activity
In its November 28, 2011 final decision, the Agency dismissed Complainant's formal complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), on the grounds that it was untimely filed. The Agency determined that Complainant received the Notice of Right to File a Discrimination Complaint (hereinafter "Notice") on October 14, 2011, which notified Complainant that a formal complaint had to be filed within fifteen days of receipt of the Notice. However, the Agency found that Complainant waited until November 9, 2011, to file her formal complaint, beyond the requisite fifteen days from the date of the receipt of the Notice.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) states, in pertinent part, that an Agency shall dismiss a complaint which fails to comply with the applicable time limits contained in 29 C.F.R. � 1614.106, which, in turn, requires the filing of a formal complaint within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of the right to do so. Based on a thorough review of the record, the Commission concludes that the dismissal, due to the untimely filing of the formal complaint, was proper.
The record in this case contains sufficient evidence reflecting Complainant's acknowledgment of the Notice on October 14, 2011. Specifically, we note that the record contains a copy of the Notice. Therein, Complainant acknowledged receiving the Notice on October 14, 2011 by signing her name. Moreover, the record reflects that Complainant filed the formal complaint on November 9, 2011, after the 15-day limitation period for timely filing a formal complaint. On appeal, Complainant has not presented adequate justification for extending the limitation period.
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing the instant formal complaint on the grounds of untimely filing was proper and is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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 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 (S0610)
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 (Z0610)
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
April 10, 2012
__________________
Date
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U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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