0120162723
11-03-2016
Ross R.,1 Complainant, v. Ray Mabus, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
Ross R.,1
Complainant,
v.
Ray Mabus,
Secretary,
Department of the Navy,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120162723
Hearing No. 480-2015-00633X
Agency No. DON146739903818
DISMISSAL
Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission concerning 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., 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.
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Maintenance Work Leader at the Agency's Marine Corps Community Services facility in Twentynine Palms, California. On January 8, 2015, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the bases of disability, age, and reprisal when he was subjected to a hostile work environment during September - December 2014.
The matter was apparently investigated and went before an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Administrative Judge (AJ). On August 17, 2016, the AJ dismissed the complaint because of a settlement agreement relating to another complaint, 15-67399-03362. The settlement agreement contained a provision that Complainant agreed to release the Agency from all claims or demands arising out of Complainant's employment with the Agency "occurring prior to the effective date of this agreement."
The instant appeal followed, apparently in response to the AJ's dismissal. In his appeal, Complainant points out that the settlement agreement was signed by Complainant on November 9, 2015, but that the Agency representative did not sign the agreement until May 4, 2016.
While we agree with Complainant that the six month difference in the signatures on the settlement agreement is highly unusual. However, the time span is irrelevant here as all the claims in the instant complaint occurred in 2014, and well before Complainant signed the settlement agreement in November 2015 indicating that he was waiving all claims occurring before November 2015. While Complainant states that the settlement was intended to deal with the issues in the other complaint rather than the instant complaint, the language contained in it is clear. Therein Complainant agreed to release the Agency from any claims arising before November 9, 2015. The claims in the instant complaint all fall before that date.
Accordingly, Complainant's appeal is DISMISSED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0416)
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 Chap. 9 � VII.B (Aug. 5, 2015). All requests and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The requests may be submitted via regular mail to P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013, or by certified mail to 131 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507. 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 (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
November 3, 2016
__________________
Date
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.
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