01A04419
07-24-2001
Earl M. Wohlfrom, Complainant, v. Ann M. Veneman, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Agency.
Earl M. Wohlfrom v. United States Department of Agriculture
01A04419
July 24, 2001
.
Earl M. Wohlfrom,
Complainant,
v.
Ann M. Veneman,
Secretary,
Department of Agriculture,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A04419
Agency No. 990787
DECISION
The agency's final agency decision (FAD) dismissed complainant's complaint
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor
contact. In his appeal, complainant refers to an Army investigation
concerning the sexual harassment of a high ranking female officer where
the complainant did not allege sexual harassment until three years after
the events occurred. In reference to the leeway given to the female
officer, the complainant states �we all worked for the same government and
should be afforded the same considerations.� However, complainant fails
to note that the female officer in the referenced case did not submit
her claim to the EEOC, but rather, her investigation was conducted and
resolved through internal procedures within the Department of the Army.
A review of the record discloses that the alleged discriminatory event
occurred in June of 1996, but complainant did not initiate contact with an
EEO Counselor until May 24, 1999, which is beyond the forty-five (45) day
limitation period set forth by 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2). On appeal,
no persuasive arguments or evidence have been presented to warrant
an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact.
Accordingly, the agency's FAD dismissing complainant's complaint for
untimely EEO Counselor contact 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
July 24, 2001
__________________
Date