0120092606
09-29-2009
Robert E. Price, Jr.,
Complainant,
v.
Pete Geren,
Secretary,
Department of the Army,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120092606
Agency No. 086220403078
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
decision dated May 4, 2009, dismissing his complaint of unlawful
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.
In his complaint, complainant alleged that he was subjected to
discrimination on the bases of race (African-American), religion (Baptist)
and color (Black) when:
1. on September 25, 2007, a co-worker made a "Hail Hitler" sign;
2. on August 23, 2008, a co-worker his complainant with a chair;
3. on September 16, 2008, complainant's supervisor informed him that he
would be disciplined;
4. on November 8, 2008, complainant resigned from his job; and
5. the EEO counselors did not process his complaint in a timely manner.
The agency dismissed complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2)
because complainant did not file his formal complaint with 15 calendar
days of receipt of the notice of right to file. The agency determined that
complainant did not receive the agency's first notice of right to file
mailed on December 10, 2008. On February 10, 2009, complainant contacted
the EEO Office and the agency issued a second notice of right to file.
Complainant signed and dated his formal complaint on February 29, 2009,
but did not drop off the complaint to the EEO office until March 9, 2009,
beyond the 15-day limitation period. The agency also dismissed claim
(5) as a spin off pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(8).
Complainant appealed. The agency requested that the Commission affirm
its dismissal.
The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) states, in
pertinent part, that an agency shall dismiss a complaint which fails
to comply with the applicable time limits contained in 29 C.F.R. �
1614.106, which, in turn, requires the filing of a formal complaint within
fifteen (15) days of receiving notice of the right to do so. The record
indicates that complainant contacted the EEO office on February 10, 2009,
regarding the fact that he had not received his notice of right to file.
The EEO Counselor's report indicates that complainant did not receive the
reissued notice until February 26, 2009. Complainant's formal complaint
was hand-delivered to the agency's EEO office on March 9, 2009, which is
within 15 calendar days of receipt of the notice. As such, we conclude
that the agency's dismissal of the complaint for untimely filing was
not appropriate.
As to claim (5), we agree with the agency that it does not state an
independent claim, but is a spin-off concerning the process of the instant
complaint. Since the underlying complaint is being remanded, the agency
should address complainant's allegation that the EEO office improperly
processed his pre-complaint during the processing of the other claims.
Therefore, we REVERSE the agency's final decision and REMAND the complaint
to the agency in accordance with the ORDER below.
ORDER (E0408)
The agency is ordered to process the remanded complaint in accordance
with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108 et seq. The agency shall acknowledge to the
complainant that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30)
calendar days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall
issue to complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall
notify complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty
(150) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the
matter is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the complainant
requests a final decision without a hearing, the agency shall issue
a final decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of complainant's
request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgment to complainant and a
copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of
rights 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
September 29, 2009
__________________
Date
2
0120092606
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
4
0120092606