0120120133
05-10-2012
Kenderson Hill, Complainant, v. Ray Mabus, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
Kenderson Hill,
Complainant,
v.
Ray Mabus,
Secretary,
Department of the Navy,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120120133
Agency No. 11-67004-01217
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's final decision dated September 8, 2011, dismissing a formal 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.
BACKGROUND
During the period at issue, Complainant was an applicant for employment with the Agency. On May 13, 2011, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the basis of race (African-American).
In its final decision, dated September 8, 2011, the Agency dismissed Complainant's complaint on the grounds that his formal complaint was untimely filed. The Agency found that the Notice of Right to File a Formal Complaint (Notice) was delivered to the address provided by Complainant on April 19, 2011. However, Complainant did not file the formal complaint until May 13, 2011.
CONTENTIONS ON APPEAL
Complainant does not submit a statement or brief in support of his appeal contesting the Agency's dismissal of his complaint.
The Agency requests that we affirm its final decision. The Agency included with its brief a copy of a declaration under penalty of perjury from Complainant's EEO Counselor (EC). Therein, EC asserts that she spoke with Complainant via telephone on April 8, 2011 and informed him that she would be sending the Notice. EC states that Complainant asked her to have the Notice sent to a specified address in Jacksonville, Florida where he worked and resided during the week (Complainant commuted to his home Albany, Georgia on weekends) so he would not have to wait until the weekend to receive the Notice.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.106(b) requires the filing of a written complaint with an appropriate agency official within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of receipt of the notice of the right to file a formal complaint.
29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) provides that the agency shall dismiss a complaint that fails to comply with the applicable time limits contained in �� 1614.105, 1614.106, and 1614.204(c), unless the agency extends the time limits in accordance with � 1614.604(c).
The Notice was received and signed for by someone at the Jacksonville, Florida address provided by Complainant on April 19, 2011. The Notice informed Complainant that he had fifteen days from the date its receipt in which to file a formal complaint. Complainant did not file a formal complaint until May 13, 2011. Complainant has not presented adequate justification, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c) for extending the filing period.
CONCLUSION
We AFFIRM the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's formal complaint.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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), at 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 (S0610)
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 (Z0610)
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
May 10, 2012
Date
2
0120120133
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2 0120120133