Zula T.,1 Complainant,v.Robert Wilkie, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Oct 23, 2018

0120182672 (E.E.O.C. Oct. 23, 2018)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013

Zula T.,1
Complainant,

v.

Robert Wilkie,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.

Appeal No. 0120182672

Agency No. 200P06622018104133

DECISION

Complainant filed a timely appeal with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC
or Commission) from the Agency's decision dated July 19, 2018, 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

At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Lead Medical
Support Assistant, GS-9, at the Agency’s VA Medical Center facility in San Francisco,
California.

On June 6, 2018, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to
a hostile work environment on the bases of race (African-American), sex (female), and reprisal
when, from December 21, 2017, to January 31, 2018, a named individual (“AH”) was attempting
to build up a case against her by documenting trumped up accusations; increased her workload
by having her schedule all Trans-Esophageal Electrocardiograms for cardiology; and discussed
her personal matters with an employee.

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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The Agency dismissed the complaint, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO
Counselor contact. The instant appeal followed. In her appeal, Complainant explains that she
was pursuing an internal investigation by “L/R” and that is why she delayed going to the EEO
counselor.

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 record discloses that the latest alleged discriminatory event occurred on January 31, 2018,
but Complainant did not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until March 27, 2018, which is
beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period. Complainant claimed she delayed seeking
counseling because she first utilized other procedures to challenge the matters in her complaint.
However, the Commission has consistently held that the utilization of agency procedures, union
grievances, and other remedial processes does not toll the time limit for contacting an EEO
Counselor. See Ellis v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. 01992093 (November
29, 2000). 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 (M0617)
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. A party
shall have twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of another party’s timely request for
reconsideration in which to submit a brief or statement in opposition. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405;
Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110),
at Chap. 9 § VII.B (Aug. 5, 2015). All requests and arguments must be submitted to the
Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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Complainant’s request may be submitted via regular mail to P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC
20013, or by certified mail to 131 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507. 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
agency’s request must be submitted in digital format via the EEOC’s Federal Sector EEO Portal
(FedSEP). See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.403(g). 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 (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.

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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

October 23, 2018
Date