Francis F. Keegan, Complainant,v.Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionNov 3, 2000
01993574 (E.E.O.C. Nov. 3, 2000)

01993574

11-03-2000

Francis F. Keegan, Complainant, v. Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Agency.


Francis F. Keegan v. Department of Commerce

01993574

November 3, 2000

.

Francis F. Keegan,

Complainant,

v.

Norman Y. Mineta,

Secretary,

Department of Commerce,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01993574

Agency No. 98-63-10138

DECISION

Upon review, we find that the complaint was properly dismissed pursuant

to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a)(2), on the grounds that complainant failed to

contact an EEO Counselor in a timely manner. Complainant claimed that

he was discriminated against when he received no census population survey

assignments. Complainant raised this issue in response to information in

the report of investigation for a previous complaint that he had filed.

Complainant stated that the report of investigation indicated that

he was vulnerable to a layoff. According to the agency, complainant

received the report of investigation on April 7, 1997, and he requested

a hearing in the prior complaint on April 29, 1997. On September 10,

1998, complainant sought to amend the prior complaint to include the

issue set forth in the instant complaint. The EEOC Administrative Judge

remanded this issue to the agency. We find that complainant was aware of

the alleged discrimination when he received the report of investigation

in April 1997 and he did not raise the issue until September 1998, more

than 45 days after he learned of the alleged discrimination. Accordingly,

the agency decision dismissing this complaint on the grounds of failure

to contact an EEO Counselor in a timely manner was proper and is hereby

AFFIRMED.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M0900)

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

November 3, 2000

__________________

Date