0120091121
06-16-2009
Illen Tesfazion,
Complainant,
v.
Hillary Rodham Clinton,
Secretary,
Department of State,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120091121
Agency No. DOS-F-093-08
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
final decision dated December 15, 2008, dismissing her complaint of
unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
improperly dismissed for untimely EEO Counselor contact.
During the relevant period, complainant was employed as a POL/ECON
Specialist at a U.S. Embassy in Eritrea. On June 9, 20081, complainant
initiated EEO contact alleging that the agency discriminated against
her on the bases of race (African-American), national origin (African),
and color (Black) when the agency did not pay her the same salary as her
predecessor, who was deemed an "eligible family member," after she took on
that person's duties. Complainant filed a formal EEO complaint alleging
the same. Complainant stated that she began performing the additional
duties of the SSH/DHRF Coordinator position at the end of January 2008
and thought it would be a temporary change only. She stated that she
inquired about additional pay when the duties change lasted longer than
she expected. Initially, the agency accepted complainant's claim for
investigation.
On December 15, the agency issued a final decision dismissing
complainant's claim pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2). The agency
indicated that complainant was aware, in 2004, as she acknowledged
in an investigative affidavit, that direct hires for the agency were
paid different from local agency hires. The agency stated, hence,
her July 19, 2008 initial EEO contact is untimely. The instant appeal
from complainant followed. On appeal, complainant stated that the
discrimination against her is ongoing because the agency continues to
pay her three to four times less than her predecessor.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Public Law 111-2 (S 181),
became law on January 29, 2009. The Act is effective May 28, 2007, and
applies to all claims of discrimination in compensation under Title VII,
the ADEA, and Title I and Section 503 of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 and Sections 501 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act pending
on or after that date. Regarding Title VII, it provides:
[A]n unlawful employment practice occurs, with respect to discrimination
in compensation in violation of this title, when a discriminatory
compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when an individual
becomes subject to a discriminatory compensation decision or other
practice, or when an individual is affected by application of a
discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, including each
time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, resulting in whole or
in part from such a decision or other practice . . . [Relief may include]
recovery of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of the
charge, where the unlawful employment practices that have occurred during
the charge filing period are similar or related to unlawful employment
practices with regard to discrimination in compensation that occurred
outside the time for filing a charge.
Here, complainant contends that the discrimination continues because
she is still paid less than her predecessor. In light of the fact
that the agency issued its dismissal decision in December 2008, before
the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, we are vacating the
agency's dismissal and remanding the complaint for consideration of the
implications of that Act on this case.
Accordingly, we VACATE the final agency decision and REMAND the matter
to the agency for further processing consistent with this decision and
Order below.
ORDER
The agency is ordered to reconsider its dismissal of the complaint
in light of the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009,
and either issue a new dismissal decision with appeal rights to the
Commission or an acceptance letter within thirty (30) calendar days of
the date this decision becomes final. Accepted claims shall be processed
in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108 et seq., including issuing
complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify
complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150)
calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter
is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the complainant requests a
final decision without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision
within sixty (60) days of receipt of complainant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgment to complainant and a
copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of
rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K1208)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.
The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar
days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall
be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington,
DC 20013. The agency's report must contain supporting documentation,
and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to the complainant.
If the agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the complainant
may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. �
1614.503(a). The complainant also has the right to file a civil action
to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following
an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407,
1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the complainant
has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in
accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File A Civil
Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for
enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject
to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999).
If the complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of
the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
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 77960,
Washington, DC 20013. 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 (R0408)
This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative
processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil
action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United
States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date
that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a
civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date
you filed your complaint with the agency, or filed your appeal with the
Commission. 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. Filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1008)
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 from the Court that
the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also
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 with
the Court 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
June 16, 2009
__________________
Date
1 We note that the Initial Contact Sheet indicates a contact date of June
9, 2008, and the EEO Counselor's Report indicates a June 19 contact date
and a counselor assigned date of June 18.
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0120091121
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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0120091121