Pamela McClain, Complainant,v.Robert M. Gates, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Defense Commissary Agency), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionJan 13, 2009
0120082555 (E.E.O.C. Jan. 13, 2009)

0120082555

01-13-2009

Pamela McClain, Complainant, v. Robert M. Gates, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Defense Commissary Agency), Agency.


Pamela McClain,

Complainant,

v.

Robert M. Gates,

Secretary,

Department of Defense,

(Defense Commissary Agency),

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120082555

Agency No. DECA000642006

Hearing No. 410200700196X

DECISION

Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405, the Commission accepts complainant's

appeal from the agency's May 14, 2008 final order concerning her equal

employment opportunity (EEO) complaint alleging 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 alleged that the agency discriminated against her on the

basis of reprisal for prior protected EEO activity under Title VII of

the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when the agency allegedly subjected her to a

hostile work environment and terminated her employment on July 15, 2006.

Briefly, complainant was employed as a sales checker in Fort Benning. She

was removed on the charges of poor performance after she failed a scanning

test and improperly processed checks. Complainant alleged reprisal because

she engaged in EEO activity in 2003. In his bench decision following the

hearing, the EEOC Administrative Judge found that complainant failed to

support her claims of reprisal or that she was subjected to a hostile

work environment. The AJ concluded that complainant did not show that

the agency's reasons for its actions were a pretext for discrimination

or reprisal.

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 final agency order 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

January 13, 2009

__________________

Date

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0120082555

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0120082555