[Redacted], Iona A., 1 Complainant,v.Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, (Capital Metro Area), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Sep 21, 2021

Appeal No. 2020003441 (E.E.O.C. Sep. 21, 2021)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Iona A.,1 Complainant, v. Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, (Capital Metro Area), Agency. Request No. 2021003036 Appeal No. 2020003441 Agency No. 4K-280-0183-17 Hearing No. 430-2019-00032X DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in Iona A. v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. 2020003441 (April 5, 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 relevant time, Complainant worked as a Rural Carrier at the Agency’s Ballantyne Post Office in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. 3 2021003036 On December 21, 2017, Complainant filed a formal EEO complaint, claiming that the Agency subjected her to a hostile work environment based on disability and in reprisal for prior protected activity. Specifically Complainant claimed that: she heard her name and medical information being discussed over a telecom system; she was questioned about medical restrictions and was required to provide documentation for an auxiliary route; she was informed she would no longer be used as an Acting Supervisor; and her request for a reasonable accommodation was denied. Following an investigation, Complainant requested a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). The AJ subsequently issued a summary judgment in favor of the Agency for all the subject claims. The Agency thereafter issued a final order adopting the AJ’s finding of no discrimination. Complainant appealed. The prior appellate decision affirmed the Agency’s final decision, which found no discrimination or unlawful retaliation was established. In the instant request for reconsideration, Complainant submits a brief expressing disagreement with the appellate decision. We have reviewed her arguments, and agree with the Agency’s response, that that Complainant reiterates arguments previously made, or which could have been made below. However, 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. 2020003441remains 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. 4 2021003036 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 September 21, 2021 Date