Paul J. Bishop, Complainant,v.Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionMar 12, 2009
0120090628 (E.E.O.C. Mar. 12, 2009)

0120090628

03-12-2009

Paul J. Bishop, Complainant, v. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.


Paul J. Bishop,

Complainant,

v.

Janet Napolitano,

Secretary,

Department of Homeland Security,

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120090628

Agency Nos. HS07CBP001779040119 and HS07CBP002243040129

Hearing No. 530200800098X

DECISION

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

appeal concerning his 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.

The record indicates that an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ) issued a

decision on October 10, 2008. When the agency failed to issue a final

agency decision, the AJ's decision became the final decision.

Complainant, an Agriculture Specialist, alleged that the agency

discriminated against him on the bases of race (African-American) and

sex (male) when he was not given access to the Cargo Management System

(CMS), he was denied CMS training, he was denied the use of a government

owned vehicle, and he was not assigned a specific desk to perform his

job. Complainant filed a second EEO complaint when he was terminated

from his position during his probationary period.

In his decision, the AJ found that the agency articulated legitimate,

nondiscriminatory reasons for the actions at issue. In brief, the

AJ concluded that the evidence of record showed that complainant had

access to CMS and computers, that there was no special training for

CMS and complainant regularly used the system, and that new employees,

like complainant, did not receive their own workstations. With respect

to the government car, the AJ noted that complainant received a ride

in a government car. Further, the place to which complainant wanted

to go was a direct report place, meaning employees reported there

directly from home and were expected to use their own vehicles. Finally

with respect to the termination, the AJ found that agency management

asserted that complainant produced illegible hand written spreadsheets,

he refused/avoided safeguarding containers, he repeatedly failed to

place inbound seal numbers in CMS, he wore inappropriate attire, he was

unwilling to help co-workers, he failed to attend "Outlook" training,

he was a divisive influence in the work place, and he seemed unable to

understand the supervisory right to assign work. The AJ then concluded

that complainant failed to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence,

that the agency's proffered reasons for its action were actually a

pretext for discrimination.

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 order,

because the Administrative Judge's issuance of a decision without a

hearing was appropriate and a preponderance of the record evidence does

not establish that discrimination occurred.

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

March 12, 2009

__________________

Date

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0120090628

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0120090628