01976294
10-14-1998
Daisy T. DeWitt, Appellant, v. Louis Caldera, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.
Daisy T. DeWitt v. Department of the Army
01976294
October 14, 1998
Daisy T. DeWitt, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01976294
)
Louis Caldera, )
Secretary, )
Department of the Army, )
Agency. )
_________________________________)
DECISION
Appellant filed an appeal with this Commission from an agency decision
dated June 25, 1997 dismissing appellant's complaint for failure to
cooperate. The agency subsequently issued a decision dated October
14, 1997 amending the June 25, 1997 decision. In the October 14, 1997
decision the agency found that the complaint was dismissed on the wrong
basis in the June 25, 1997 decision. In the October 14, 1997 decision
the agency defined the complaint as containing three allegations.
In the October 14, 1997 decision the agency relied on the following
reasons for dismissing the complaint: the agency dismissed allegations
1 and 2 for untimely EEO Counselor contact; the agency dismissed the
entire complaint for failure to state a claim; and the agency dismissed
the entire complaint as moot.
Allegations 1 and 2
The Commission finds that the agency properly dismissed allegations 1 and
2 pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(b) for untimely EEO Counselor contact.
Appellant has failed to cite any specific incident that occurred within
45 days of the date she initially contacted an EEO Counselor (March
12, 1996). Although appellant cites one incident occurring in January
1996, which, depending on the exact date in January 1996 the incident
occurred, might have been timely raised, appellant has failed to provide
such an exact date to show that the incident is timely. Because none
of the incidents in allegation 1 and 2 are timely raised we find that
allegations 1 and 2 are not timely under the continuing violation theory.
Furthermore, we find that allegations 1 and 2 are also not timely under
the continuing violation theory because we find that appellant should have
reasonably suspected discrimination more than 45 days before she contacted
an EEO Counselor. Because of our disposition we do not address whether
allegations 1 and 2 were also properly dismissed on other grounds.
Allegation 3
In allegation 3 appellant alleged that her overseas tour extension was
disapproved and she was forced to register in the Priority Placement
Program. The Commission finds that allegation 3 states a claim and
that the agency inappropriately addressed the merits of allegation 3
in a procedural decision when it dismissed allegation 3 for failing to
state a claim.
To determine whether allegation 3 remains in dispute, it must be
ascertained (1) if it can be said with assurance that there is no
reasonable expectation that the alleged violation will recur, and
(2) if the interim relief or events have completely and irrevocably
eradicated the effects of the alleged violation. County of Los Angeles
v. Davis, 440 U.S. 625 (1979). When such circumstances exist, no relief
is available and no need for a determination of the rights of the parties
is presented. EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(e) requires an agency
to dismiss any portion of a complaint that is moot.
The agency found that allegation 3 was moot because appellant voluntarily
accepted "a new position in the United States at the same grade."
On appeal appellant argues: "The fact that [appellant] accepted a
position when she had [no] other choice due to actions she has alleged
to be discriminatory cannot be seen as eradicating the effects of
the discrimination." The Commission agrees with appellant's argument
and finds that allegation 3 is not moot because allegation 3 itself is
effectively alleging that appellant was forced to accept a new position.
Therefore, the effects of the alleged violation have not been completely
eradicated.
The agency's decision dismissing allegations 1 and 2 is AFFIRMED.
The agency's decision dismissing allegation 3 is REVERSED and we REMAND
allegation 3 to the agency for further processing in accordance with
this decision and applicable regulations.
ORDER (E1092)
The agency is ORDERED to process the remanded allegations in accordance
with 29 C.F.R. �1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the appellant
that it has received the remanded allegations within thirty (30) calendar
days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall issue to
appellant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify appellant
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 appellant requests a final decision
without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision within sixty
(60) days of receipt of appellant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgement to appellant 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 (K0595)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The agency's report must contain supporting
documentation, and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to
the appellant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the appellant may petition the Commission for enforcement of
the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503 (a). The appellant 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. �� 1614.408, 1614.409, and 1614.503 (g). Alternatively,
the appellant 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. �� 1614.408 and 1614.409. 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) (Supp. V 1993). If the
appellant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the
complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.410.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and be submitted to the Director, Office of
Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box
19848, Washington, D.C. 20036. In the absence of a legible postmark,
the request to reconsider shall be deemed filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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. �l6l4.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (T0993)
This decision affirms the agency's final decision in part, but it also
requires the agency to continue its administrative processing of a
portion of your complaint. You have the right to file a civil action
in an appropriate United States District Court on both that portion of
your complaint which the Commission has affirmed AND that portion of the
complaint which has been remanded for continued administrative processing.
It is the position of the Commission that 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.
You should be aware, however, that courts in some jurisdictions have
interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner suggesting that
a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the
date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your civil action
is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN THIRTY (30)
CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision or to consult
an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the jurisdiction
in which your action would be filed. 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 your appeal with the
Commission, until such time as the agency issues its final decision
on your complaint. 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 (Z1092)
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 that the Court appoint
an attorney to represent you and that the Court 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 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:
October 14, 1998
DATE Ronnie Blumenthal, Director
Office of Federal Operations