Larry G. Schlosser, Complainant,v.William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Western Area), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionAug 25, 2000
01992799 (E.E.O.C. Aug. 25, 2000)

01992799

08-25-2000

Larry G. Schlosser, Complainant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Western Area), Agency.


Larry G. Schlosser v. United States Postal Service

01992799

August 25, 2000

.

Larry G. Schlosser,

Complainant,

v.

William J. Henderson,

Postmaster General,

United States Postal Service

(Western Area),

Agency.

Appeal No. 01992799

Agency No. 4E590001099

DECISION

Larry G. Schlosser (complainant) filed a timely appeal with this

Commission from a final agency decision (FAD) dated January 22, 1999

dismissing his 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. and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et

seq.<1> In his complaint, complainant alleged that he was subjected

to discrimination on the bases of disability (mental and physical,

unspecified) and reprisal (prior EEO activity) when he was provided with

incorrect sick/annual leave buy-back information.

The agency dismissed the complaint pursuant to EEOC Regulation 64

Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,656 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter referred

to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1)), for failing to state a claim.

Specifically, the agency concluded that complainant did not allege a

personal loss or harm with respect to a term, condition, or privilege

of employment. The agency noted that complainant was provided the

necessary information and paperwork to initiate a leave buy-back, but

repeatedly changed his mind about buying back leave. The most recent

request submitted by complainant was accepted by the agency on October 6,

1998, but on October 9, 1998, complainant once again informed the agency

that he did not elect to repurchase his leave. The agency stated that

based on this October 9, 1998 decision to not repurchase leave, the

Injury Compensation office returned a check issued by the Department of

Treasury for complainant's leave buy-back in the amount of $2,137.56.

On appeal, complainant contends that his complaint states a claim.

He notes that the agency's failure to provide him with complete and

accurate information resulted in the loss of over $2000. In response,

the agency argues that its FAD should be affirmed.

EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) provides, in relevant part,

that an agency shall dismiss a complaint, or portion thereof, that fails

to state a claim. An agency shall accept a complaint from any aggrieved

employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has been

discriminated against by that agency because of race, color, religion,

sex, national origin, age or disabling condition. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.103;

� 1614.106(a). The Commission's federal sector case precedent has

long defined an "aggrieved employee" as one who suffers a present harm

or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment

for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,

EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994).

The only proper questions in determining whether an allegation is

within the purview of the EEO process are: (1) whether the complainant

is an aggrieved employee; and (2) whether he has alleged employment

discrimination covered by the EEO statutes. An employee is "aggrieved"

if he has suffered direct and personal deprivation at the hands of

the employer. See Hobson v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Request

No. 05891133 (March 2, 1990).

After a careful review of the record, we find that complainant alleged

that the agency discriminated against him when it provided incomplete

and inaccurate information about its leave buy-back policy, resulting

in the loss of over $2000. Although the formal complaint itself does

not mention his $2000 loss, other documents in the file clarify that

the dispute between complainant and the agency involved complainant's

alleged entitlement to $2,137.56. This claim is sufficient to render him

an aggrieved employee. Because he has alleged that the adverse action

was based on disability and reprisal, he has raised a claim within the

purview of EEOC regulations.

In its FAD, the agency argues that it provided complainant with the

correct information and that a check for $2,137.56 was returned when

complainant decided not to buy back his leave. We note, however, that

these arguments go to the merits of complainant's complaint and are

irrelevant to the procedural issue of whether he has stated a justiciable

claim under Title VII. See Osborne v. Department of the Treasury, EEOC

Request No. 05960111 (July 19, 1996); Lee v. United States Postal Service,

EEOC Request No. 05930220 (August 12, 1993); Ferrazzoli v. United States

Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05910642 (August 15, 1991).

Therefore, the agency's dismissal of the complaint for failure to state a

claim is REVERSED and the complaint is REMANDED to the agency for further

processing in accordance with the order below and applicable regulations.

ORDER (E0400)

The agency is ORDERED to process the remanded claim in accordance with

64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,656-7 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter

referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108). The agency shall acknowledge to

the complainant that it has received the remanded claim within thirty (30)

calendar days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall

issue to 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 (K1199)

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 19848,

Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 64

Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659-60 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter

referred to as 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)(Supp. V 1993). If the complainant files a civil action, the

administrative processing of the complaint, including any petition for

enforcement, will be terminated. See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659 (1999)

(to be codified and hereinafter referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409).

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M0300)

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 64

Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter referred

to as 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 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,661 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter

referred to as 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).

COMPLAINANTS' RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION

(R0400)

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 (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

August 25, 2000

__________________

Date

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

For timeliness purposes, the Commission will presume that this decision

was received within five (5) calendar days after it was mailed. I certify

that this decision was mailed to complainant, complainant's representative

(if applicable), and the agency on:

__________________

Date

______________________________

1On November 9, 1999, revised regulations governing the EEOC's federal

sector complaint process went into effect. These regulations apply to all

federal sector EEO complaints pending at any stage in the administrative

process. Consequently, the Commission will apply the revised regulations

found at 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644 (1999), where applicable, in deciding the

present appeal. The regulations, as amended, may also be found at the

Commission's website at www.eeoc.gov.