05A40955
09-02-2004
Nicole M. Stuart v. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
05A40955
09-02-04
.
Nicole M. Stuart,
Complainant,
v.
Sara Jan Bloomfield,
Executive Director,
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum,
Agency.
Request No. 05A40955
Appeal No. 01A34310
Agency No. 200201
DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
Nicole M. Stuart (complainant) timely initiated a request to the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) to reconsider
the decision in Nicole M. Stuart v. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, EEOC
Appeal No. 01A34310 (June 10, 2004). EEOC Regulations provide that the
Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider any previous Commission
decision where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. �
1614.405(b).
After a review of complainant's request for reconsideration, the previous
decision, and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request
fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), and it is the
decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC
Appeal No. 01A34310 remains the Commission's final decision. There is no
further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission
on this request for reconsideration.<1>
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0900)
This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right
of administrative appeal from the Commission's decision. 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.
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
____09-02-04______________
Date
1 Complainant alleges that the agency
failed to obtain a release form from her before it contacted her
physician regarding his November 15, 2001 letter. The Commission
notes that, in requesting documentation, employers should specify what
types of information they are seeking regarding the disability, its
functional limitations, and the need for the reasonable accommodation.
The individual can be asked to sign a limited release allowing the
employer to submit a list of specific questions to the health care or
vocational professional. Since a doctor cannot disclose information
about a patient without his/her permission, a release should be obtained
from the employee that will permit the doctor to answer questions. The
release should be clear as to what information will be requested. See
EEOC Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship
Under the American with Disabilities Act (October 17, 2002), question 6,
at 13-14.