01A35137_r
12-31-2003
Estate of Betty M. Cole, Complainant, v. Hansford T. Johnson, Acting Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
Betty M. Cole v. Department of the Navy
01A35137
December 31, 2003
.
Estate of Betty M. Cole,
Complainant,
v.
Hansford T. Johnson,
Acting Secretary,
Department of the Navy,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A35137
Agency Nos. 97-00251-065 and 97-00251-088
Hearing No. 380-A2-8225X
DECISION
Complainant timely initiated an appeal from the agency's final order
concerning her equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints of unlawful
employment discrimination in violation of the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.
The appeal is accepted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405. In her formal
complaint, complainant alleged that the agency subjected her to unlawful
discrimination on the basis of age (D.O.B. 11-20-21) and in reprisal
for prior EEO activity when:
On April 4, 1997, the agency issued her a Letter of Requirement,
requesting that she notify management of any change in her physical
condition;
On April 15, 1997, the agency notified her that it was extending her
performance rating period; and
On June 19, 1997, the agency questioned her about a threatening
telephone call made to her supervisor by someone identifying himself as a
"hit man."
At the conclusion of the investigation, complainant received a copy
of the investigative report and requested a hearing before an EEOC
Administrative Judge (AJ). The AJ issued a decision without a hearing,
finding no discrimination.
Upon review, we find that complainant failed to present any evidence from
which a reasonable fact-finder could conclude that age discrimination or
retaliation motivated any of the alleged actions, such as a similarly
situated individual not in her protected classes who was treated
differently under similar circumstances. Further, complainant failed
to provide any rebuttal evidence in response to the agency's legitimate,
non-discriminatory reasons for its actions.
Therefore, after a careful review of the record, the Commission finds
that grant of summary judgment was appropriate, as no genuine dispute of
material fact exists. We find that the AJ's decision properly summarized
the relevant facts and referenced the appropriate regulations, policies,
and laws. The agency's final order 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
December 31, 2003__________________
Date