Adeline K. Brown, Complainant,v.Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Northeast Area), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionOct 4, 2012
0120120269 (E.E.O.C. Oct. 4, 2012)

0120120269

10-04-2012

Adeline K. Brown, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Northeast Area), Agency.


Adeline K. Brown,

Complainant,

v.

Patrick R. Donahoe,

Postmaster General,

United States Postal Service

(Northeast Area),

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120120269

Agency No. 1B-106-0023-10

DECISION

Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated November 3, 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. and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq. For the following reasons, the Commission REVERSES the Agency's final decision.

BACKGROUND

At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Mail Handler at the Agency's Westchester Processing and Distribution Center in White Plains, New York. On December 4, 2009, the Agency issued Complainant a Notice of Removal for violation of a Last Chance Agreement. The Notice informed Complainant the effective date of the removal action would be delayed a minimum of 30 days after receipt of the notice and/or disposition of a timely filed grievance at Step Two of the grievance/arbitration procedures. The Agency advised Complainant that she would be given written notification of the effective date of the removal.

Complainant was given a notice dated January 13, 2010, informing her that effective January 15, 2010, she would be removed from the Agency for violation of a Last Chance Agreement. However, this notice also stated that effective January 15, 2010, Complainant remained on the Agency's rolls but was placed in a non-pay status as per the collective bargaining agreement.

Complainant challenged her removal via the negotiated grievance process. Complainant's Step 2 grievance was denied on January 11, 2010. Complainant's grievance proceeded to arbitration and an Arbitration Decision was issued on June 23, 2010, upholding Complainant's termination.

On October 13, 2010, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the bases of race (White), sex (female), and disability (spine) when: on June 30, 2010, Complainant was notified that, as a result of an Arbitration Decision dated June 23, 2010, her Removal dated December 4, 2009, and effective January 15, 2010, was upheld and she was terminated.

The Agency dismissed Complainant's claim pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The Agency claimed that Complainant was terminated on January 15, 2010; however, she did not make contact with the EEO office until June 30, 2010, which was beyond the 45-day time limitation.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) provides that the agency shall dismiss a complaint that fails to comply with the applicable time limits contained in � 1614.105, unless the agency extends the time limits in accordance with � 1614.604(c). EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(a)(1) requires that complaints of discrimination should be brought to the attention of the EEO Counselor within 45 days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 days of the effective date of the action.

Upon review, the record discloses that although Complainant received a Notice of Removal dated December 4, 2009, the Notice informed Complainant the effective date of the removal action would be delayed a minimum of 30 days after receipt of the notice and/or disposition of a timely filed grievance at Step Two of the grievance/arbitration procedures. The record indicates Complainant was in a non-pay status after she received the Notice and filed a grievance on the matter (pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement); however, Complainant nevertheless remained on the rolls. In the present case, we find the alleged discriminatory event did not occur until after Complainant's grievance challenging her removal was concluded. The record reveals the Arbitration Decision upholding Complainant's termination was issued on June 23, 2010, presumably followed by Complainant's removal from the Agency's rolls. Thus, we find that Complainant's June 30, 2010 EEO Counselor contact was timely made.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the Agency's final decision is REVERSED and the complaint is REMANDED to the Agency for further processing in accordance with the Order herein.

ORDER (E0610)

The Agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with 29 C.F.R. �1614.108. The Agency shall acknowledge to the Complainant that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final. The Agency shall issue to Complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify Complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the Complainant requests a final decision without a hearing, the Agency shall issue a final decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of Complainant's request.

A copy of the Agency's letter of acknowledgment to Complainant and a copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0610)

Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory. The Agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013. The Agency's report must contain supporting documentation, and the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the Complainant. If the Agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the Complainant may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(a). The Complainant also has the right to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407, 1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the Complainant has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File a Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999). If the Complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.

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 (R0610)

This is a decision requiring the Agency to continue its administrative processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date you filed your complaint with the Agency, or filed your appeal with the Commission. 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. 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

October 4, 2012

__________________

Date

2

01-2012-0269

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

2

0120120269