0120141473
06-20-2014
Complainant, v. Jeh Johnson, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (Customs and Border Protection), Agency.
Complainant,
v.
Jeh Johnson,
Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security
(Customs and Border Protection),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120141473
Agency No. HSCBP001772014
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated February 10, 2014, dismissing his 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 Border Patrol Agent at the Agency's Calexico Station facility in Calexico, California.
On December 18, 2013, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the bases of national origin (Mexican/Italian) and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when, on November 6, 2013, he was forced to watch a Preventing Alcohol Related Events Sensibly Everytime (PARSE) video during a muster, and after he criticized the video, he had to watch it again; and on November 27, 2013, Complainant noticed that management allowed PARSE stickers on government vehicles.
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 asks that all of his prior EEO complaints be given second consideration.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
As an initial matter, we decline to address any of Complainant's prior complaints at this juncture. Should he receive a final agency decision on them, he may appeal them at that time. If he has withdrawn them, as asserted by the Agency, processing has ceased.
The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) provides, in relevant part, that an agency shall dismiss a complaint that fails to state a claim. An agency shall accept a complaint from any aggrieved employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has been discriminated against by that agency because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disabling condition. 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.103, .106(a). The Commission's federal sector case precedent has long defined an "aggrieved employee" as one who suffers a present harm or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. Diaz v. Dep't of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (Apr. 21, 1994).
We find that having to watch a video on alcohol related events does not render Complainant aggrieved. Further, he has not explained how he was harmed by the Agency's policy of allowing PARSE stickers to be placed on vehicles. In sum, we do not find the Agency's alleged actions, even if true and considered together, to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to state a viable claim of hostile work environment.
Finally, although Complainant claims to have suffered damages as a result of the incident at issue, the Commission has held that allegations that fail to state a claim cannot be converted into a viable claim merely because the complainant requests compensatory damages as a remedy. Ulanoff v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05950396 (January 26, 1996); Shrader v. Department of Agriculture, EEOC Appeal No. 01961499 (November 3, 1997).
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
June 20, 2014
__________________
Date
2
0120141473
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120141473