01994002
01-08-2001
Paul W. Sanchez, Complainant, v. Richard J. Danzig, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
Paul W. Sanchez v. Department of the Navy
01994002
January 8, 2001
.
Paul W. Sanchez,
Complainant,
v.
Richard J. Danzig,
Secretary,
Department of the Navy,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01994002
Agency No. DON (MC) 99-62204-026
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for failure
to state a claim.<1> In a complaint dated February 9, 1999, complainant
alleged that he was discriminated against on the basis of disability
(emotional numbing and depression) when the Disabled Veterans Affirmative
Action Program, an action plan for the recruitment, employment and
advancement of disabled veterans, was not implemented at his place of
work and he was not given the opportunity to advance.
Complainant's claim is that he was subjected to discrimination with
respect to the agency's failure to comply with federal law requiring a
disabled veterans affirmative action program. We therefore find that the
complaint is based not on complainant's status as an individual with a
disability, but rather on his status as a disabled veteran who was denied
the benefit of a federal law intending to benefit disabled veterans.
The Commission has consistently held that veterans preference is not
an enumerated basis for filing an EEO complaint, and that complaints
concerning veteran's preference are not within the purview of the EEO
process. See, e.g., Glenn v. Department of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Request
No. 05910927 (February 21, 1992); Roth v. Department of Commerce, EEOC
Request No. 05910129 (March 7, 1991). The Commission has no authority
to enforce the laws providing assistance to veterans. Therefore, we
find that the agency properly dismissed the complaint for failure to
state a claim within the purview of the EEO process.
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth herein, the agency's final decision
dismissing complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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
January 8, 2001
__________________
Date
1The agency also dismissed the complaint for
untimely EEO Counselor contact, which we do not address in view of our
finding that the complaint was properly dismissed for failure to state
a claim.