01A31071_r
03-24-2003
Glenn M. Foston Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Glenn M. Foston v. United States Postal Service
01A31071
March 24, 2003
.
Glenn M. Foston
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A31071
Agency No. 4G-770-0419-02
DECISION
Complainant initiated contact with the agency's EEO Office on June
4, 2002. On July 9, 2002, complainant filed a formal EEO complaint
wherein he claimed that he was discriminated against on the bases of
his race (African-American), sex (male), and age (49) when on April 20,
2000, he was removed from his position with the agency.
By decision dated October 25, 2002, the agency dismissed the
complaint on the grounds that complainant failed to initiate contact
with an EEO Counselor in a timely manner. The agency determined that
complainant's EEO contact on June 4, 2002, occurred after the expiration
of the forty-five day time limit for contacting an EEO Counselor.
The Commission agrees with the agency. We find that complainant's EEO
contact was two years after the expiration of the 45-day limitation
period and that complainant has not submitted adequate justification for
an extension of the 45-day limitation period. Complainant claimed that
he was unaware that he could pursue a complaint through the EEO process.
However, the record reveals that complainant had constructive notice of
the 45-day limitation period, because his work facility prominently
displayed an EEO poster referencing the 45-day limitation period
for contacting an EEO Counselor. Accordingly, the agency's decision
dismissing complainant's complaint was proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �
1614.107(a)(2) 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
March 24, 2003
__________________
Date