0120082068
06-05-2008
Rudolph J. Laskowski, Complainant, v. Alphonso Jackson, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Agency.
Rudolph J. Laskowski,
Complainant,
v.
Alphonso Jackson,
Secretary,
Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120082068
Agency No. HUD000402008
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
decision dated March 5, 2008, 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.
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure
to state a claim. In a complaint dated January 16, 2008, complainant
alleged that he was subjected to discrimination on the basis of reprisal
for prior protected EEO activity under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 when he was threatened with disciplinary action when he refused
to talk to an agency attorney regarding an employee's EEO complaint.
Briefly, from information gleaned from the record, an agency employee
filed an EEO complaint regarding a change in workstations. Complainant
was the Chief Union negotiator during the work station changes. The
agency attorney responsible for the employee's EEO complaint attempted to
set up an appointment to interview complainant regarding the employee's
complaint. Complainant refused to meet with the attorney, and after he
did not respond to emails, was told that management would be told if he
refused to cooperate. Complainant then responded to the attorney telling
her that he intended to testify for the employee and that he was also
a witness for the union and that the union was going to file an unfair
labor practices charge. Complainant viewed the statement of informing
management as a threat. However, no actions were taken against him.
The Commission has stated that adverse actions need not qualify as
"ultimate employment actions" or materially affect the terms and
conditions of employment to constitute retaliation. Lindsey v. United
States Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05980410 (Nov. 4, 1999)
(citing EEOC Compliance Manual, No. 915.003 (May 20, 1998)). Instead,
the statutory retaliation clauses prohibit any adverse treatment that
is based upon a retaliatory motive and is reasonably likely to deter
the charging party or others from engaging in protected activity. Id.
In the instant case, complainant was sought out because he handled union
negotiations for the issue contained in an employee's complaint. He did
not immediately inform the attorney as to why he did not talk to her -
instead, he ignored her emails. Thus, the Commission finds that the
actions of the attorney are not likely to deter protected activity. The
attorney was merely seeking information from complainant.
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under the
EEOC regulations because complainant failed to show that he suffered harm
or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). Accordingly, the agency's
final decision dismissing complainant's complaint is affirmed.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0408)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (S0408)
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 (Z0408)
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 that the Court appoint
an attorney to represent you and that the Court 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 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 5, 2008
__________________
Date
2
0120082068
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P. O. Box 19848
Washington, D.C. 20036
3
0120082068