0120100711
03-19-2010
Devorah Shabtai, Complainant, v. Gary Locke, Secretary, Department of Commerce, (Bureau of the Census), Agency.
Devorah Shabtai,
Complainant,
v.
Gary Locke,
Secretary,
Department of Commerce,
(Bureau of the Census),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120100711
Agency No. 096300033D
DECISION
Complainant appeals to the Commission from the agency's decision dated
November 5, 2009, finding no discrimination. In her complaint, dated
December 11, 2008, complainant, an applicant for employment at the agency,
alleged discrimination based on national origin (Arab) and sex (female)
when she received a letter from the agency dated November 19, 2008,
advising her that she was determined ineligible for temporary employment
due to the criminal record and court documentation she provided to the
Census Hiring and Employment Check (CHEC).
After completion of the investigation of the complaint, complainant did
not request a hearing. The agency thus issued its decision concluding
that it asserted legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for its decision,
which complainant failed to rebut.
After a review of the record, the Commission, assuming arguendo that
complainant had established a prima facie case of discrimination,
finds that the agency has articulated legitimate, nondiscriminatory
reasons for the alleged action. Specifically, the agency stated that
its CHEC office utilized adjudication standards in making employment
suitability determinations. Pursuant to these guidelines, an aggravated
assault charge within the previous 15 years might earn an applicant an
unfavorable determination. The agency noted that complainant's conviction
for aggravated stalking in 2005 was comparable to an aggravated assault
charge pursuant to these guidelines. The agency also indicated that
complainant also had other previous arrests on a number of occasions.
Despite complainant's contentions that her previous arrests and charges
were a result of an on-going custody battle with her ex-husband, she
provides no evidence in the record to show that the agency's determination
finding her ineligible for employment based on her background check was
based on prohibited discrimination.
Accordingly, the agency's decision finding no discrimination is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
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), 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 (S0408)
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 (Z1008)
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
3/19/10
__________________
Date
2
0120100711
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013