0120140476
03-18-2014
Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Eastern Area), Agency.
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Eastern Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120140476
Agency No. 4C400005213
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated October 30, 2013, 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 City Carrier Assistant at the Agency's Post Office facility in Mayfield, Kentucky.
On October 8, 2013, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the bases of race (African-American) and color (Black) when: from May 2, 2013 through June 18, 2013, co-workers and customers made racial comments;1 he was cursed at; he was not assigned a locker; he was not paid for training and mileage; and on June 19, 2013, he was terminated from his position.
The Agency dismissed the complaint, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), due to the untimely filing of the formal complaint. The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.106(b) requires the filing of a written complaint with an appropriate agency official within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of receipt of the notice of the right to file a formal complaint. 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, 1614.106, and 1614.204(c), unless the agency extends the time limits in accordance with � 1614.604(c).
The record discloses that Complainant received the notice of right to file a formal complaint on September 18, 2013. Although the notice indicated that Complainant had to file a formal complaint within fifteen (15) calendar days of its receipt, Complainant did not file his formal complaint until October 8, 2013, which is beyond the limitation period.
On appeal, Complainant does not dispute that his complaint was untimely. However, he states that he was trying to work things out with management, including getting paid for his training time. We find, however, that Complainant's initial attempt to resolve these issues directly with management does not excuse an untimely formal complaint. 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). Likewise, it does not toll the time for filing a formal complaint.
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
March 18, 2014
__________________
Date
1 During EEO counseling, Complainant was asked to provide examples of the alleged comments. According to the EEO counseling report, he stated that a senior carrier referred to him as a "black brother" when speaking to customers.
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0120140476
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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0120140476