01a53640_r
03-10-2006
Larry D. Gaines, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Larry D. Gaines v. United States Postal Service
01A53640
March 10, 2006
.
Larry D. Gaines,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A53640
Agency No. 1C-431-0050-03
Hearing No. 220-2004-00199X
DECISION
Complainant appeals to the Commission from the agency's April 5, 2005
decision finding no discrimination. Complainant alleges discrimination
on the bases of disability (impaired hearing, degenerative arthritis,
eyes, tinnitus, hypertension, psychosis, post traumatic stress
disorder, depression, and schizophrenia) when: (1) on April 18, 2003,
complainant's FMLA documentation was deemed invalid; (2) on April 26,
2003, complainant was required to submit to a blood alcohol test; and
(3) On April 29, 2003, management threatened to send complainant for a
blood alcohol test. On March 31, 2005, an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ),
after holding a hearing, issued a decision finding no discrimination. The
agency, by decision dated April 5, 2005, implemented the AJ's decision.
Complainant then filed the instant appeal.
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a), all post-hearing factual findings by
an AJ will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence in the record.
Substantial evidence is defined as �such relevant evidence as a reasonable
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.� Universal
Camera Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board, 340 U.S. 474, 477 (1951)
(citation omitted). A finding regarding whether or not discriminatory
intent existed is a factual finding. See Pullman-Standard Co. v. Swint,
456 U.S. 273, 293 (1982). An AJ's conclusions of law are subject to a
de novo standard of review, whether or not a hearing was held.
With regard to claim 1, the AJ found that the FMLA documentation submitted
by complainant was incomplete because it was not signed by a physician.
The AJ noted that the FMLA coordinator testified that she had approved
FMLA leave for complainant both prior and subsequent to the date at issue.
Regarding claim 2, the AJ found that testimony and evidence showed that
complainant was sent for evaluation and consented to a blood alcohol
test based on a coworker's complaint and management's observation
of complainant. Regarding claim 3, the AJ found that the evidence in
the record did not support complainant's assertion that a supervisor
threatened to send him for another blood test.
The Commission finds that complainant has not shown that the agency's
actions were motivated by discrimination or that the agency's explanation
for its actions are unworthy of belief. Complainant has not shown that
other employees who were similarly situated were treated differently by
the agency. The AJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence
in the record and we find that the AJ properly found no discrimination.
We make this finding without making a determination as to whether
complainant is an individual with a disability under the Rehabilitation
Act.
The agency's decision finding no discrimination 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 10, 2006
__________________
Date