0120111338
06-16-2011
Ronald K. Anderson, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, (Southeast Area), Agency.
Ronald K. Anderson,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
(Southeast Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120111338
Agency No. 1H302001811
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the
Agency's decision dated December 22, 2010, dismissing his complaint of
unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Section 501 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. §
791 et seq. and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA),
as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq. Upon review, the Commission finds
that Complainant's complaint was properly dismissed pursuant to 29
C.F.R. § 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as
a Mail Processor at the Agency’s North Metro P&DC facility in Duluth,
Georgia. On November 30, 2010, Complainant filed a formal complaint
alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the bases
of disability (Back) and age (47) when in January 2010 his supervisor
requested his medical information without giving him something in writing
stating that the Agency had a right to the information; and in May 2010
he was sent to the hand stamp table without being issued a 2499 form –
Offer of Modified Assignment.1
The Agency dismissed the matter for failure to contact an EEO counselor
in a timely manner. The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The record discloses that the alleged discriminatory event occurred in
May 2010, but Complainant did not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor
until October 5, 2010, which is beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation
period. On appeal, Complainant has presented no persuasive arguments or
evidence warranting an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO
Counselor contact. In support of its position, the Agency included an
affidavit from a HR Specialist indicating that EEO posters are posted
at the facility where Complainant is employed.
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's
complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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), at 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 (S0610)
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. If you file a request to reconsider and also file a
civil action, filing a civil action will terminate the administrative
processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0610)
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
June 16, 2011
__________________
Date
1 Complainant also raised a claim of disability based discrimination. That
claim is being held in abeyance pending the outcome of the McConnell
v.USPS class action complaint.
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01-0111338
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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