0120092939
10-22-2009
Toya T. Simpson, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Toya T. Simpson,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120092939
Agency No. 1J-632-0012-09
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the final
agency decision dated May 27, 2009, dismissing her formal 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.
On January 21, 2009, complainant initiated EEO Counselor contact.
Informal efforts to resolve her concerns were unsuccessful.
On May 7, 2009, complainant filed the instant formal complaint. Therein,
complainant alleged that she was subjected to discrimination on the
basis of sex (female) when:
on November 3, 2008, an employee junior to her was allowed to begin
training, which resulted in her receiving less seniority than him as a
clerk.1
In its May 27, 2009 final decision, the agency dismissed complainant's
complaint on the grounds of untimely EEO Counselor contact, pursuant to
29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2). The agency determined that complainant's
initial EEO contact occurred on January 21, 2009, which it found to be
beyond the 45-day limitation period. The agency further determined that
complainant had or should have had reasonable suspicion of unlawful
employment discrimination prior to January 21, 2009. The agency
determined that EEO posters addressing the 45-day requisite time period
were on display in complainant's workplace during the time.
The record contains a copy of the Plant Support Manager (PSM)'s affidavit
dated May 14, 2009 indicating that EEO posters, including applicable
time limits, were posted during the relevant time. The record also
contains a copy of EEO Poster 72 outlining the 45-day limitation period
for contacting an EEO Counselor.
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.
EEOC Regulations provide that the agency or the Commission shall extend
the time limits when the individual shows that she was not notified of the
time limits and was not otherwise aware of them, that she did not know
and reasonably should not have known that the discriminatory matter or
personnel action occurred, that despite due diligence she was prevented
by circumstances beyond her control from contacting the Counselor within
the time limits, or for other reasons considered sufficient by the agency
or the Commission.
Here, complainant did not contact an EEO Counselor until more than 45
days after the incident in question. The agency has indicated that EEO
posters are properly placed in the workplace. Specifically, we note in
his affidavit, PSM states "I have been in Plant Support Manager in this
office since 2008. EEO Poster 72, December 2005 edition is displayed
on the first floor near the employee entrance bulletin board encase in
glass and locked." The Commission determines that complainant provides
no persuasive justification for the delay in initiating EEO Counselor
contact.
Accordingly, the agency's dismissal of the instant complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
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 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 (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 (Z1008)
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
October 22, 2009
__________________
Date
1 The record reflects that according to the agency, complainant
specifically disputed why named employee junior to her was allowed to
start training before her. The agency determined that a review of the
EEO Counselor's Report indicated the named employee began his training on
November 3, 2008; therefore, this date was recognized as the alleged date
of discrimination. The agency further stated that the date of October 2,
2008 cited in the instant complaint was the date of an in-house job fair
regarding switching crafts, in which complainant learned that eight
people would be chosen by seniority to train and become clerks.
??
??
??
??
2
0120092939
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120092939
5
0120092939