01A11714
04-18-2001
Tania Morales, Complainant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Tania Morales v. United States Postal Service
01A11714
April 18, 2001
.
Tania Morales,
Complainant,
v.
William J. Henderson,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A11714
Agency No. 1-H-331-0117-00
DECISION
Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission from an agency decision
pertaining to her 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. and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq.
The Commission accepts the appeal in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405.
Complainant contacted the EEO office claiming that she was the victim
of discriminatory harassment when: on August 14, 2000, her supervisor
yelled at her and accused her of being nasty to another employee.
Informal efforts to resolve complainant's concerns were unsuccessful.
Subsequently, on September 18, 2000, complainant filed a formal complaint
based on sex, disability and in reprisal for prior protected activity.
On December 21, 2000, the agency issued a decision dismissing the
complaint for failure to state a claim. The agency noted that, unless
severe, a single incident or group of isolated incidents will not
be regarded as harassment. According to the agency, the mere verbal
exchange without injury does not render complainant an aggrieved employee.
Complainant presents no contentions on appeal.
The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) provides, in
relevant part, that an agency shall dismiss a complaint that fails to
state a claim. An agency shall accept a complaint from any aggrieved
employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has been
discriminated against by that agency because of race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age or disabling condition. 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.103,
.106(a). The Commission's federal sector case precedent has long defined
an "aggrieved employee" as one who suffers a present harm or loss with
respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which
there is a remedy. Diaz v. Department of the Air Force, EEOC Request
No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994).
Here, complainant contends that she was harassed when her supervisor
screamed loudly at her and accused her of being nasty to one of his
clerks. He accused her of not being able to do her job right, and
complainant argues that she was embarrassed and humiliated in front of her
co-workers. The Commission has repeatedly found that remarks or comments
unaccompanied by a concrete agency action are not a direct and personal
deprivation sufficient to render an individual aggrieved for the purposes
of Title VII. See Backo v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Request
No. 05960227 (June 10, 1996); Henry v. United States Postal Service, EEOC
Request No. 05940695 (February 9, 1995). Moreover, we do not find that
the alleged incident was sufficiently severe or pervasive to state a claim
of discriminatory harassment. See Cobb v. Department of the Treasury,
EEOC Request No. 05970077 (March 13, 1997). Accordingly, the agency's
decision to dismiss the complaint was proper and is hereby AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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
April 18, 2001
__________________
Date