01A35185_r
01-23-2004
Earl G. Baseman, Complainant, v. Hansford T. Johnson, Acting Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
Earl G. Baseman v. Department of the Navy
01A35185
January 23, 2004
.
Earl G. Baseman,
Complainant,
v.
Hansford T. Johnson,
Acting Secretary,
Department of the Navy,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A35185
Agency No. 03-65886-029
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that the agency properly dismissed
complainant's employment discrimination complaint pursuant to 29
C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state a claim. In his complaint,
complainant alleged that he was subjected to a discriminatory hostile
work environment on the bases of race (Caucasian), sex (male), and age
when on April 7, 2003, it was suggested that he explain comments he made
in an e-mail.
Complainant, in his capacity as a union president, was responsible for
appointing a bargaining unit member to a selection panel. In response
to a suggestion that complainant place a certain employee on the panel,
complainant responded that he did not wish to recommend her, because she
was �a non combattant [sic].� The employee was angered by complainant's
characterization of her, and Labor Relations officials suggested
complainant explain his comments to avoid a possible complaint from
the employee.
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under the
EEOC regulations because complainant failed to show that he suffered harm
or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). No action was taken against
complainant for the comments he made in the e-mail, nor for his refusal
to explain or apologize to the offended employee. Further, this matter
is not severe or pervasive enough to constitute actionable harassment.
See Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21-22 (1993)
(enunciating the requirements for alleging an actionable hostile work
environment claim). Accordingly, the agency's final decision is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (S0900)
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 (Z1199)
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 that the Court appoint
an attorney to represent you and that the Court 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 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
January 23, 2004
__________________
Date