0120090548
02-24-2009
Linda D. Jones, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Linda D. Jones,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120090548
Agency Nos. 4H-327-0063-07
4H-327-0087-07
Hearing No. 510-2007-00436X
DECISION
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405, the Commission accepts complainant's
appeal from the agency's October 7, 2008 final action concerning two
captioned EEO complaints that claimed 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.
Complainant claimed that the agency discriminated against her on the
bases of race (African-American) and in reprisal for prior EEO activity
when1:
1. on December 20, 2006, she was subjected to harassment and a hostile
work environment (Agency No. 4H-327-0063-07);
2. on March 12, 2007, she was given an investigative interview
and as a result, she was placed on administrative leave (Agency
No. 4H-327-0087-07); and
3. on March 30, 2007, she was issued a Notice of Removal (Agency
No. 4H-327-0087-07.2
The record reflects that a hearing was held before an EEOC Administrative
Judge (AJ). After considering the testimony of the witnesses, the
AJ determined that complainant did not show by a preponderance of the
evidence that she was discriminated against on the bases of race and
retaliation. With respect to complainant's harassment claim, the AJ
found that complainant did not prove she was subjected to harassment
sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to render hers work environment
hostile.
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 a
discriminatory intent existed is a factual finding. See Pullman-Standard
v. Swint, 456 U.S. 273, 293 (1982).
After a review of the record in its entirety, including consideration
of all statements submitted on appeal, it is the decision of the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission to AFFIRM the agency's final action
because the Administrative Judge's ultimate finding, that unlawful
employment discrimination was not proven by a preponderance of the
evidence, is supported by the record.
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 (S0408)
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 (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
February 24, 2009
__________________
Date
1 For ease of reference, the Commission has numbered complainant's claims
as claims 1 - 3.
2 The record reflects that complainant filed a grievance concerning her
Notice of Removal. On September 17, 2007, complainant's grievance was
settled, and as a result, the Notice of Removal was reduced to a 7-day
suspension.
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U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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