Lynn A. Curd, Complainant,v.John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionApr 8, 2004
01A41301_r (E.E.O.C. Apr. 8, 2004)

01A41301_r

04-08-2004

Lynn A. Curd, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.


Lynn A. Curd v. United States Postal Service

01A41301

April 8, 2004

.

Lynn A. Curd,

Complainant,

v.

John E. Potter,

Postmaster General,

United States Postal Service,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01A41301

Agency No. 1J-483-0093-03

DECISION

Complainant initiated contact with the agency's EEO Office on June 11,

2003. On October 1, 2003, complainant filed a formal EEO complaint

wherein she claimed that she was discriminated against on the bases

of her race (Black) and sex (female) when she was demoted after having

received a promotion. Complainant stated that some employees regained

their promotions at a later time. Complainant listed June 1, 2003,

as the date of the alleged discrimination.

By decision dated November 19, 2003, the agency dismissed the complaint

on the grounds that complainant failed to initiate contact with an EEO

Counselor in a timely manner. The agency determined that complainant's

EEO contact on June 11, 2003, with regard to her complaint, was after

the expiration of the 45-day time limit for contacting an EEO Counselor.

The agency noted that although the dates of complainant's promotion

and demotion are unknown, complainant's last day in a pay status was

January 2, 1998. The Commission agrees with the agency that complainant's

contact of an EEO Counselor was untimely. Complainant's contact of an EEO

Counselor on June 11, 2003, was more than five years after complainant

was last in a pay status with the agency. Although complainant listed

June 1, 2003, as the date of the alleged discrimination, complainant did

not specify what discriminatory act occurred on June 1, 2003. In light

of there being no showing that a specific act occurred 45 days or less

prior to complainant's initial EEO contact, we find that complainant's

EEO contact was untimely. We further find that complainant has not

submitted sufficient argument or evidence to justify an extension of

the 45-day limitation period.

Accordingly, the agency's decision dismissing complainant's complaint

was proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) and 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

April 8, 2004

__________________

Date