0120102535
09-28-2010
Tess C. Powell, Complainant, v. Ray H. LaHood, Secretary, Department of Transportation, (Federal Aviation Administration), Agency.
Tess C. Powell,
Complainant,
v.
Ray H. LaHood,
Secretary,
Department of Transportation,
(Federal Aviation Administration),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120102535
Agency No. 201023123FAA01
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated May 5, 2010, dismissing 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.
BACKGROUND
In her complaint, Complainant alleged that the Agency subjected to her discrimination on the bases of race (African American) and sex (female) when she was not selected for the position of Support Manager under vacancy announcement AEA-ATO-09-092-116118. The Agency dismissed the complaint, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The instant appeal followed.
The record indicates that Complainant was informed of her non-selection on October 30, 2009. However, Complainant asserts that she did not learn who had been selected until sometime in November. In her appeal brief, Complainant states that "shortly after she was told she was not selected, [named individual] was announced as the SM for the 510 office. At that point, Complainant requested de-briefing with the selecting official". Complainant states that the meeting was initially scheduled for November 12, 2009, but was then postponed to November 13, 2009.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(a)(1) requires that complaints of discrimination should be brought to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor within forty-five (45) days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory or, in the case of a personnel action, within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of the action. The Commission has adopted a "reasonable suspicion" standard (as opposed to a "supportive facts" standard) to determine when the forty-five (45) day limitation period is triggered. See Howard v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05970852 (February 11, 1999). Thus, the time limitation is not triggered until a complainant reasonably suspects discrimination, but before all the facts that support a charge of discrimination have become apparent.
The record discloses that the alleged discriminatory event (Complainant's non-selection) occurred on October 30, 2009, but Complainant did not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until December 28, 2009, which is beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period. The Commission notes that while Complainant does not state exactly when she found out who the selectee was, it is clear that she knew who the selectee was before she requested debriefing according to her own statements. This, it is clear that she knew who the selectee was by at least November 11, 2009, given that the briefing was originally scheduled for the next day but then postponed. Even using November 11, 2009 as the date Complainant found out who the selectee was and thus had a reasonable suspicion of discrimination, Complainant's EEO counselor contact is untimely. On appeal, Complainant has presented no persuasive arguments or evidence warranting an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact.
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
September 28, 2010
__________________
Date
2
0120102535
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120102535