0120123089
01-11-2013
Andrew M. Marston, Complainant, v. John M. McHugh, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.
Andrew M. Marston,
Complainant,
v.
John M. McHugh,
Secretary,
Department of the Army,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120123089
Agency No. ARCEPHILA12MAY02227
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated June 22, 2012, dismissing his complaint of unlawful employment discrimination.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Bridge Mechanic/Welder/Leader at the Agency's C&D Canal facility in Chesapeake City, Maryland 21715.
On June 8, 2012, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the basis of "harassment/non-sexual" when he was subjected to a hostile work environment. Complainant asserted this led to his not being selected for the WS-09 position for which he applied and made the referral list. Complainant did not give any other basis for his complaint and the record contains an email from him wherein he states that he sees "that my harassment case does not fit the basis for a EEO complaint under there [sic] guidelines."
The Agency dismissed the complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state a claim. The instant appeal followed. In his appeal, Complainant states that since he filed his complaint he has been subjected to reprisal.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
In the instant complaint, we find that Complainant did not identify a specific basis within the Commission's regulations (race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or reprisal) in connection with his claims of harassment and denial of the position. As such, we find that the complaint fails to state a claim under the EEOC regulations because Complainant failed to allege that he suffered harm or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Dep't of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994).
However, to the extent that Complainant is alleging in his appeal that he is being subjected to harassment and reprisal because he filed the instant complaint, he should contact an EEO counselor if he wishes to pursue those claims.
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
January 11, 2013
__________________
Date
2
0120123089
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120123089