[Redacted], Margorie L., 1 Complainant,v.Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Secret Service), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Dec 13, 2021

Appeal No. 2019005722 (E.E.O.C. Dec. 13, 2021)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Margorie L.,1 Complainant, v. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Secret Service), Agency. Request No. 2021004525 Appeal No. 2019005722 Hearing No. 570-2018-00096X Agency No. HS-USSS-01091-2017 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 2019005722 (July 19, 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 Uniformed Division Officer, LE-01, at the Foreign Missions Branch in Washington, District of Columbia. Complainant filed a formal complaint claiming discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity. 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. 2021004525 2 Complainant alleged that she received a decision of suspension for seven calendar days without pay, effective March 5-11, 2017, from the Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Integrity for “Negligence in the Performance of her Official Duties,” Offense Code 1.8 of the Table of Penalties. After an investigation, Complainant requested a hearing and the instant complaint was consolidated with another complaint, identified as EEOC Case No. 570-2017-00547X, Agency No. HS-USSS-25315-2016. The assigned EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ) held a consolidated hearing and, based on the testimony provided during the hearing, determined that the matters should be bifurcated into two decisions. The AJ issued a decision regarding the instant complaint, concluding that the evidence of record did not establish any discrimination. When the Agency failed to issue a final order within forty days of receipt of the AJ’s decision, the AJ’s decision finding that Complainant failed to prove that the Agency subjected her to discrimination as alleged became the Agency’s final action. In EEOC Appeal No. 2019005722, the Commission affirmed the AJ’s finding of no discrimination, which had become the Agency’s final action. In the instant request for reconsideration, we have carefully reviewed Complainant’s arguments and determine that the matters either were raised or could have been raised below. 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. 2019005722 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. 2021004525 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 December 13, 2021 Date