Emiko S.,1 Complainant,v.Sally Jewell, Secretary, Department of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Aug 24, 2016

0520160390 (E.E.O.C. Aug. 24, 2016)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013

Emiko S.,1
Complainant,

v.

Sally Jewell,
Secretary,
Department of the Interior
(Fish and Wildlife Service),
Agency.

Request No. 0520160390

Appeal No. 0120160849

Agency No. DOIFWS130249

DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION

Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in EEOC Appeal No.
0120160849 (May 3, 2016). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its
discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision where the
requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c).

On June 3, 2013, Complainant filed an EEO complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her
to discrimination and a hostile work environment on the bases of race (African-American), sex
(female), and in reprisal for prior protected EEO activity as evidenced by numerous instances
of discriminatory harassment.

On October 30, 2015, the Agency issued its final Agency decision (FAD). In the FAD, the
Agency determined that Complainant had not been subjected to discrimination or a hostile
work environment as alleged. In so finding, the Agency determined that Complainant failed to
show that the alleged incidents were sufficiently severe or pervasive. Further, the Agency
found that Complainant failed to show that the alleged incidents were based on her protected

1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant’s name
when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website.
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classes. As a result, the Agency found that Complainant had not been subjected to
discrimination, reprisal, or a hostile work environment. Complainant appealed and, in Emiko
S. v. Dep’t of the Interior, EEOC Appeal No. 0120160849 (May 3, 2016), the Commission
affirmed the FAD.

In her request for reconsideration, Complainant expresses her disagreement with the previous
decision and reiterates arguments previously raised on appeal. The Commission emphasizes
that a request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. Equal
Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110)
(Aug. 5, 2015), at 9-18; see, e.g., Lopez v. Dep't of Agric., EEOC Request No. 0520070736
(Aug. 20, 2007). Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the
appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or will
have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant
has not done so here.

After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the
request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c), and it is the decision of the
Commission to DENY the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120160849 remains
the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision
of the Commission on this request.

COMPLAINANT’S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610)

This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal
from the Commission’s decision. 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.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815)

If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may
request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or
costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may
request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of
court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court
has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. Such requests do not alter the
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time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to File
a Civil Action for the specific time limits).

FOR THE COMMISSION:

______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations

August 24, 2016
Date