0520160385
08-11-2016
Willetta L.,1 Complainant, v. Tom J. Vilsack, Secretary, Department of Agriculture (Rural Development), Agency.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
Willetta L.,1
Complainant,
v.
Tom J. Vilsack,
Secretary,
Department of Agriculture
(Rural Development),
Agency.
Request No. 0520160385
Appeal No. 0120141356
Hearing No. 490-2013-00143X
Agency No. RD201100964
DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120141356 (May 5, 2016). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(c).
At the time of events giving rise to the underlying complaint, Complainant worked as an Area Specialist at the Agency's Jackson Area Office in Jackson, Tennessee. Complainant filed an EEO complaint alleging that the Agency discriminated against her on the basis of race (African American), sex, and age when (1) in July 2011, she was not given training credit after attending a conference; (2) on April 30 and May 1, 2012, she was charged Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL); (3) on May 14, 2012, her request for training was denied; (4) in July 2012, she was not given training credit after attending a conference; and (5) beginning in July 2010, and continuing, she was subjected to harassing treatment, including on April 30 and August 1, 2012, when she was yelled at and/or threatened.
Complainant initially requested a hearing, but withdrew her request. Our prior appellate decision affirmed the Agency's final decision, based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, that concluded that Complainant failed to prove her discrimination claims.
In her request for reconsideration, Complainant expresses her disagreement with the previous decision and reiterates arguments she has previously made. We emphasize that a request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. See EEO MD-110, Ch. 9, � VII.A. Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or will have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant has not done so here.
After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(c), and it is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120141356 remains the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request.
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610)
This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal from the Commission's decision. 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.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815)
If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests.
Such requests do not alter the time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant's Right to File a Civil Action for the specific time limits).
FOR THE COMMISSION:
______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden's signature
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
August 11, 2016
__________________
Date
1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant's name when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission's website.
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