Ramon Fira, Complainant,v.Ed Schafer, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFeb 10, 2009
0120083453 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 10, 2009)

0120083453

02-10-2009

Ramon Fira, Complainant, v. Ed Schafer, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Agency.


Ramon Fira,

Complainant,

v.

Ed Schafer,

Secretary,

Department of Agriculture,

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120083453

Agency No. FSIS-2004-050262

DECISION

On August 6, 2008, complainant filed an appeal from the agency's June 12,

2007 final decision 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 appeal is deemed timely and is accepted pursuant to

29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a).

In a formal EEO complaint dated February 2, 2005, complainant alleged

that the agency discriminated against him on the bases of national

origin (Hispanic) and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when

management issued him a five-day suspension for "improper conduct,"

which was effective February 16, 2004. At the conclusion of an agency

investigation, complainant was provided with a copy of the report of

investigation and notice of his right to request a hearing before an

EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). Complainant requested a hearing but,

in December 2005, the AJ remanded the matter to the agency for a final

decision.

On June 12, 2007, the agency issued a final decision finding

discrimination based on national origin and no discrimination based

on reprisal. Specifically, the agency found that complainant showed

by a preponderance of the evidence that the reasons articulated by the

agency for the suspension were pretext. The final decision ordered

corrective action; including the removal of the five-day suspension

and all related documents from complainant's official personnel

file and all other agency records, back-pay for February 16 - 20,

2004 to be calculated by the agency, compensatory damages as proven

by complainant, attorney's fees and cost if appropriate, posting of a

Notice of Discrimination, and consideration of corrective action against

the responsible management officials. Regarding compensatory damages,

the agency stated; "[c]omplainant shall submit a claim to . . . the

[a]gency within 60 days of receipt of this decision . . . [t]he [a]gency

will have 30 days to submit rebuttal evidence to the [c]omplainant and

to the Office of Civil Rights. A separate decision on compensatory

damages will be issued." As to attorney's fees and costs, the final

decision stated; "the [c]omplainant's representative shall submit a

verified statement of attorney's fees and costs . . . within 30 days of

receipt of this decision . . . [t]he agency may respond . . . within

30 days of its receipt. A separate decision . . . will be issued."

On August 6, 2008, complainant filed the instant appeal alleging that

the agency has failed to comply with its July 2007 final order. In his

appeal, complainant stated that he submitted a statement of attorney's

fees and compensatory damages on July 18, 2007 and August 17, 2007,

respectively, and that the agency has failed to submit rebuttal evidence

or issue subsequent final decisions. Complainant stated that, on several

occasions, he requested final decisions on remedies and informed the

agency of its non-compliance and failure to act in good faith.

EEOC regulations provide that a final agency action that has not been

the subject of an appeal shall be binding on the parties. 29 C.F.R. �

1614.504(a). The regulations further provide that if a complainant

believes that the agency has not complied with the terms of the final

decision, that he or she shall so advise the agency within thirty

days of the date on which the complainant knew or should have known

of the non-compliance. Id. If the complainant is not satisfied with

the agency's response, he or she may appeal to the Commission for a

determination as to whether the agency is in compliance with the terms

of its final decision. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.504(b).

Here, the record reveals that in paragraphs (3) and (4) under Order

of Relief of its June 12 final order, the agency awarded complainant

compensatory damages to the extent he is able to prove his damages and

attorney's fees and costs as appropriate. Further, the final order

indicated the agency may issue rebuttal evidence and required the

issuance of subsequent decisions regarding the respective remedies.

We find that the agency has failed to provide a rebuttal response to

complainant's Summer 2007 remedy requests or to issue a final decision

as to compensatory damages or attorney's fees and costs. Hence, we find

that the agency is non-compliant with its June 12, 2007 final order.

Accordingly, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.504(c), we order the agency

to comply with its final decision consistent with this decision and the

Order below.

ORDER

The agency shall consider complainant's written request and evidence

relating to compensatory damages and, if necessary, within 30 calendar

days of receipt of this decision, submit rebuttal evidence to the

complainant. Regardless of whether rebuttal evidence is deemed

necessary and submitted, the agency shall issue a final decision as

to compensatory damages within 60 calendar days of receipt of this

decision. Complainant shall cooperate with the agency's efforts to

compute compensatory damages.

The agency shall consider complainant's written request and evidence

relating to attorney's fees and costs and, if necessary, within 30

calendar days of receipt of this decision, submit rebuttal evidence to the

complainant. Regardless of whether rebuttal evidence is deemed necessary

and submitted, the agency shall issue a final decision as to attorney's

fess and costs within 60 calendar days of receipt of this decision.

Complainant shall cooperate with the agency's efforts to compute said

remedy.

Evidence documenting compliance with this Order must be sent to the

Compliance Officer as referenced below.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K1208)

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 (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 (R0408)

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 (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

February 10, 2009

__________________

Date

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0120083453

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0120083453