Paula M. Clark, Complainant,v.Ray Mabus, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionDec 1, 2011
0120112045 (E.E.O.C. Dec. 1, 2011)

0120112045

12-01-2011

Paula M. Clark, Complainant, v. Ray Mabus, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.




Paula M. Clark,

Complainant,

v.

Ray Mabus,

Secretary,

Department of the Navy,

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120112045

Agency No. 10-32398-00888

DECISION

Upon review, the Commission finds that the Agency’s decision dated

December 21, 2010, dismissing Complainant’s complaint due to untimely

filing of a formal complaint is improper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. §�

�1614.107(a)(2). For the following reasons, we REVERSE the Agency’s

decision.

BACKGROUND

The record indicates that on February 1, 2010, Complainant contacted an

EEO Counselor concerning her complaint. Complaint File (COM) at 11.

Unable to resolve the matter informally, the record indicates that

Complainant’s attorney received a Notice of Final Interview & Notice

to File a Formal Complaint (FIN) on June 18, 2010. In her complaint,

Complainant alleged discrimination based on sex (female), age (over 40),

disability, and in reprisal for prior EEO activity when she was subjected

to a hostile work environment since March 2008, concerning her assignment,

duties, a letter of proposed removal, and performance rating. COM at 3.

The Agency dismissed the complaint due to untimely filing of a complaint.

Complainant appealed.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

The record indicates that on June 18, 2010, Complainant, via her attorney,

received FIN, including the 15-day time limit to file her complaint.

Since the deadline to file her complaint, which was July 3, 2010, fell on

Saturday, it was extended to the next business day, i.e., the following

Tuesday, which was July 6, 2010. 29 C.F.R. § 1614.604(d). We note

that July 5, 2010, Monday, was a Federal holiday. In its decision,

the Agency stated that it did not receive the complaint until July 12,

2010, which was beyond the 15-day time limit. However, the record clearly

indicates that Complainant filed her formal complaint postmarked July 6,

2010, in a timely manner. COM at 6; See 29 C.F.R §1614.106(b).

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the Agency’s final decision dismissing Complainant’s

complaint is REVERSED. The complaint is REMANDED to the Agency for

further processing in accordance with this decision and the Order herein.

ORDER (E0610)

The Agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with

29 C.F.R. §1614.108. The Agency shall acknowledge to the Complainant

that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar

days of the date this decision becomes final. The Agency shall issue

to Complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify

Complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150)

calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter

is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the Complainant requests a

final decision without a hearing, the Agency shall issue a final decision

within sixty (60) days of receipt of Complainant’s request.

A copy of the Agency’s letter of acknowledgment to Complainant and a

copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of

rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION’S DECISION (K0610)

Compliance with the Commission’s corrective action is mandatory.

The Agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar

days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall

be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations,

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC

20013. The Agency’s report must contain supporting documentation, and

the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the Complainant. If the

Agency does not comply with the Commission’s order, the Complainant

may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. §�

�1614.503(a). The Complainant also has the right to file a civil action

to enforce compliance with the Commission’s order prior to or following

an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. §§ 1614.407,

1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. § 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the Complainant

has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in

accordance with the paragraph below entitled “Right to File a Civil

Action.” 29 C.F.R. §§ 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for

enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject

to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999).

If the Complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of

the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.

See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.409.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M0610)

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), at 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 (R0610)

This is a decision requiring the Agency to continue its administrative

processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil

action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United

States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date

that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a

civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date

you filed your complaint with the Agency, or filed your appeal with the

Commission. 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.

Filing a civil action will terminate the administrative processing of

your complaint.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0610)

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

12/1/11

__________________

Date

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0120112045

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0120112045