01A13261_r
08-16-2001
Susan L. Case, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Susan L. Case v. United States Postal Service
01A13261
August 16, 2001
.
Susan L. Case,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A13261
Agency No. 4-H-335-0320-00
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that the complaint was properly
dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state
a claim. The record shows that complainant sought EEO counseling claiming
that she had been subject to a hostile work environment and discriminated
against on the bases of sex, and in reprisal for prior protected activity
when on July 19, 2000, she was called to the office by her supervisor to
discuss an unfounded complaint from another employee and the supervisor
falsely accused her and a co-worker of being lesbians. Subsequently,
complainant filed a formal complaint concerning these issues.
The agency issued a final decision dismissing the complaint for failure
to state a claim. On appeal, complainant contends that the July
19, 2000 incident �is only a part of a continual, ongoing problem�.
Complainant also raises several alleged discriminatory incidents for
the first time on appeal.
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under 29
C.F.R. Part 1614 because
a remark or comment unaccompanied by any concrete effect does not render
the complainant aggrieved. Fuller v. USPS, EEOC Request No. 05910324
(May 2, 1991). We also find that the July 19, 2000 incident, even
if proven to be true, would not indicate that complainant has been
subjected to harassment that was sufficiently severe or pervasive to
alter the conditions of her employment. Moreover, the complaint does not
otherwise challenge an unlawful employment policy or practice. See Cobb
v. Department of the Treasury, Request No. 05970077 (March 13, 1997).
The Commission notes that complainant did not bring to the attention of
the EEO Counselor the alleged discriminatory events that she mentions for
the first time on appeal. Complainant also did not raise these incidents
in her formal complaint. Therefore, we have not considered those events
as part of our analysis. Complainant is advised to seek EEO counseling
on these issues if she wishes to pursue further these matters.
Accordingly, the agency's final decision dismissing the complaint is
AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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 (S0900)
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 (Z1199)
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
August 16, 2001
__________________
Date