0120091964
08-18-2009
Laura Cook, Complainant, v. Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, Department of Justice, Agency.
Laura Cook,
Complainant,
v.
Eric H. Holder, Jr.,
Attorney General,
Department of Justice,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120091964
Agency No. BOP-2009-0122
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
final decision dated March 6, 2009, 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.
On November 17, 2008, complainant initiated EEO contact alleging that the
agency subjected her to harassment on the basis of sex (female) when, on
October 24, 2008, her supervisor (S1) accused her of attracting inmates
and sought to give complainant a Fully Successful on her performance
evaluation; on November 12, 2008, S1 attempted to intimidate her
during a staff meeting; S1 took no action after she informed him that
an inmate threatened her in July 2008; and management took no action
after complainant reported sexual harassment to the agency chaplain in
November 2008. On December 19, 2008, an EEO Counselor (EC1) issued
complainant a Notice of Right to File (NORF) informing her that she
had 15 days after receipt of the NORF to file a formal EEO complaint.
The December 19, 2008 NORF contains the signature of both EC1 and
complainant. Complainant filed a formal EEO complaint dated December 30,
2008 reiterating the above claim.
In its March 6 final decision, the agency dismissed complainant's
complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) for an untimely formal
complaint. Specifically, the agency stated that the formal complaint was
filed on January 6, 2009, which is beyond the 15-day statutory time-frame,
and hence is untimely. The instant appeal from complainant followed.
On appeal, complainant provided the explanation that she asked EC1 if "15
days" was measured by calendar days or business days, and he was unsure
but thought "business days." Complainant added that her complaint is
timely if calculated in terms of business days. EC1 acknowledged that
he was unsure which manner to calculate, but added that he referred
complainant to another person for clarification.
We find that complainant's complaint was improperly dismissed pursuant
to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2). The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. �
1614.107(a)(2) states, in pertinent part, that an agency shall dismiss a
complaint which fails to comply with the applicable time limits contained
in 29 C.F.R. � 1614.106, which, in turn, requires the filing of a formal
complaint within fifteen (15) days of receiving the notice of the right
to do so. All � 1614 time limits are in terms of calendar days unless
otherwise noted. Moreover, the time limits are subject to waiver,
estoppel, and equitable tolling. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).
Where, as here, there is an issue of timeliness, "[a]n agency always bears
the burden of obtaining sufficient information to support a reasoned
determination as to timeliness." Guy, v. Department of Energy, EEOC
Request No. 05930703 (January 4, 1994) (quoting Williams v. Department of
Defense, EEOC Request No. 05920506 (August 25, 1992)). In addition, in
Ericson v. Department of the Army, EEOC Request No. 05920623 (January 14,
1993), the Commission stated that "the agency has the burden of providing
evidence and/or proof to support its final decisions." See also Gens
v. Department of Defense, EEOC Request No. 05910837 (January 31, 1992).
Complainant filed her formal complaint on January 6, 2009, which is within
15 business days of the date she received the NORF (December 18, 2008)
and the time-frame she said she thought applied. Although 15 calendar
days is the statutory time-frame, the EEO Counselor acknowledged that
complainant asked him and he also was unsure of the manner of measurement.
It is not reasonable to hold complainant accountable for information
which the Counselor could not provide. Based on the above, we find the
time limit subject to tolling and that the agency did not satisfy its
burden for dismissal.
The agency's final decision dismissing complainant's complaint on
the grounds that it was untimely filed is REVERSED. The complaint is
REMANDED to the agency for further processing in accordance with this
decision and the ORDER below.
ORDER (E0408)
The agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with
29 C.F.R. � 1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the complainant
that it has received the remanded claims 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 (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
August 18, 2009
__________________
Date
2
0120091964
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
5
0120091964