0120111324
05-18-2011
Veronica Dominic, Complainant, v. John M. McHugh, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.
Veronica Dominic,
Complainant,
v.
John M. McHugh,
Secretary,
Department of the Army,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120111324
Agency No. ARSTEWART10OCT04906
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's
decision dated December 14, 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.
Upon review, the Commission finds that Complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.107(a)(2), due to the
untimely filing of the formal complaint.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked at
the Agency’s Child Development Center facility in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
On December 6, 2010, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that
the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the basis of national origin
(Grenada) when: (1) on October 26, 2010, she was told that she could not
transfer to the new facility to which she was scheduled to report; (2)
on October 25, 2010, she received a notice of separation from her flexible
appointment, effective November 2, 2010; and (3) between August 2010
and the date of her termination, she encountered rude, harsh and hostile
behavior from management. The Agency dismissed the matter for failure to
file the formal complaint in a timely manner. The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The record discloses that Complainant received the notice of right
to file a formal complaint on November 18, 2010. Although the notice
indicated that Complainant had to file a formal complaint within fifteen
(15) calendar days of its receipt, Complainant did not file her formal
complaint until December 6, 2010, which is beyond the limitation period.
The record indicates that Complainant did not want to file her
formal complaint with the Ft. Stewart EEO office because she did not
“trust” it. Instead, she first contacted the military offices,
who referred her to the EEO office for civilian employees. Complainant
faxed her complaint to the Commission’s offices in Savannah, Georgia,
although she was advised not to do so. On appeal, Complainant has not
offered adequate justification to warrant an extension of the time limit
for filing the complaint. The Agency provided affidavits from individuals
who had contact with Complainant during this time which indicated they
explained to Complainant that she had to file her complaint with the
EEO office at Ft. Stewart.
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
May 18, 2011
__________________
Date
2
0120111324
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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0120111324