01a53219
07-20-2005
Earnest L Carter, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Earnest L Carter v. United States Postal Service
01A53219
July 20, 2005
.
Earnest L Carter,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A53219
Agency No. 4H-300-0038-05
DECISION
In a formal complaint filed on January 27, 2005, complainant claimed
that he was subjected to discrimination on the bases of disability and
reprisal for prior EEO activity.
In a final decision dated February 24, 2005, the agency determined that
complainant's complaint was comprised of two claims, that were identified
in the following fashion:
1. On October 14, 2004, you became aware that your OWCP [Office of
Workers' Compensation] claim was denied by the Department of Labor.
2. The Injury Compensation Office denied your requests for copies of
your Health Benefits Refund Payment statement.
The agency dismissed the instant complaint for failure to state
a claim. Regarding claim (1), the agency determined that it is the
agency's obligation to controvert an OWCP claim when there is a dispute
regarding an employee's entitlement. Regarding claim (2), the agency
determined that copies of the statements were provided to complainant.
The agency further determined that the non-receipt of these statements
would not constitute a personal loss or harm regarding a term, condition,
or privilege of complainant's employment.
The Commission determines that claim (1) constitutes a collateral attack
on the OWCP decision making process. See Reloj v. Department of Veteran
Affairs, EEOC Request No. 05960545 (June 15, 1998). Regarding claim
(2), the Commission determines that complainant has not shown a personal
loss or harm regarding a term, condition, or privilege of his employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994).
Accordingly, the agency's decision to dismiss the instant complaint for
failure to state a claim was proper and 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 20, 2005
__________________
Date