[Redacted], Grant A., 1 Complainant,v.Dennis R. McDonough, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Jul 8, 2021

Appeal No. 2020003003 (E.E.O.C. Jul. 8, 2021)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Grant A.,1 Complainant, v. Dennis R. McDonough, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency. Request No. 2021002849 Appeal No. 2020003003 Hearing No. 480-2019-00609X Agency No. 200P-0691-2018101438 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in Grant A. v. Department of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. 2020003003 (March 29, 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). During the period at issue, Complainant was employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist at the Agency’s Greater Los Angeles Medical Healthcare System in Los Angeles, California. 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. 2 2021002849 On January 29, 2018, Complainant filed a formal complaint, claiming discrimination based on race (African American), sex (male), disability, age (DOB 1955) and in reprisal for prior protected activity. Specifically, Complainant claimed that he had been subjected to harassment, was not provided a reasonable accommodation, his caseload was taken away, he was placed on disability leave, and he retired from federal service due to ongoing harassment. Following an investigation, Complainant timely requested a hearing before an Administrative Judge (AJ). The AJ subsequently issued a decision by summary judgment, finding no discrimination. The Agency thereafter issued a final order implement the AJ’s decision. On appeal, the prior appellate decision affirmed the Agency’s final order. In the instant request for reconsideration, Complainant submits a statement expressing disagreement with the appellate decision and, in essence, reiterates arguments previously made, or which could have been made, on appeal. We note that on appeal from the Agency’s final order, Complainant provided abundant documentation for the Commission’s review. We emphasize 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), Chap. 9 § VI.A (Aug. 5, 2015); see, e.g., Lopez v. Dep't of Agric., EEOC Request No. 0520070736 (Aug. 20, 2007). Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or 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. 2020003003 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. 3 2021002849 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 July 8, 2021 Date