[Redacted], Anna T., 1 Complainant,v.Janet L. Yellen, Secretary, Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service), Agency.Download PDFEqual Employment Opportunity CommissionNov 29, 2021Appeal No. 2020003070 (E.E.O.C. Nov. 29, 2021) Copy Citation U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Anna T.,1 Complainant, v. Janet L. Yellen, Secretary, Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service), Agency. Request No. 2021004091 Appeal No. 2020003070 Agency No. IRS-19-1220-F DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 2020003070 (May 24, 2021). EEOC regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision issued pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(a), where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c). The instant Request concerns Complainant’s August 14, 2019 EEO complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination based on race (African American), disability, and/or in reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when: 1. On May 16, 2019, she received a memorandum regarding a miniature baseball bat that was on her desk and her second level manager told her that she needed to work on some meditation or something with her psychiatrist; 1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant’s name when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website. 2021004091 2 2. On June 25, 2019, she was not allowed to telework and was forced to use annual leave, which she alleged violated her approved reasonable accommodation; 3. On June 26, 2019, she was issued a memorandum titled, “Failure to Follow Established Ad Hoc Telework Procedures;” and 4. On unspecified dates, management disclosed her confidential medical information to Agency employees who did not have a need to know. The Agency issued a final decision concluding that Complainant was not subjected to discrimination or reprisal as alleged. Complainant appealed to the Commission and, in EEOC Appeal No. 2020003070, we issued a decision affirming the Agency’s final decision. In her request for reconsideration, Complainant contends she was denied a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). We note, however, that the record does not contain any evidence that Complainant ever requested a hearing. The remainder of Complainant’s request serves merely to repeat the same arguments she made in her prior appeal of the Agency’s final decision. We remind Complainant that a “request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission.” Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110) (rev. Nov. 9, 1999), at 9-17; see, e.g., Lopez v. Dep't of Agriculture, EEOC Request No. 0520070736 (Aug. 20, 2007). Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the previous decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law; or (2) will have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant has not done so here. After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c), and it is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 2020003070 remains the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request. COMPLAINANT’S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610) This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal from the Commission’s decision. 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. 2021004091 3 RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815) If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. Such requests do not alter the time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to File a Civil Action for the specific time limits). FOR THE COMMISSION: ______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature Carlton M. Hadden, Director Office of Federal Operations November 29, 2021 Date Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation