05991004
08-30-2000
Eric Peterson v. Department of the Treasury
05991004
August 30, 2000
.
Eric Peterson,
Complainant,
v.
Lawrence H. Summers,
Secretary,
Department of the Treasury,
Agency.
Request No. 05991004
Appeal No. 01985394
Agency No. 98-4204
DENIAL OF REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
The agency initiated a request to the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC or Commission) to reconsider the decision in Eric
Peterson v. Department of the Treasury, EEOC Appeal No. 01985394
(July 7, 1999).<1> EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may,
in its discretion, reconsider any previous Commission decision where the
requesting party demonstrates 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. See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644,
37,659 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter referred to as 29 C.F.R. �
1614.405(b)).
After a review of the agency's request for reconsideration, the previous
decision, and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request
fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), and it is the
decision of the Commission to deny the request. The agency argues
that the issue of complainant's transfer was not properly raised and if
raised, it was the subject of a prior grievance. The Commission notes
that the issues raised in a complaint are gleaned from all documentation
in the record, including the requested remedial relief, which in this
case, included complainant's return to his original work station.
Furthermore, the evidence of record indicates that complainant filed
a prior grievance on a detail assignment, not the ultimate transfer
decision at issue. Accordingly, the decision in EEOC Appeal No. 01985394
remains the Commission's final decision. There is no further right of
administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request
for reconsideration.
ORDER
The agency is ORDERED to take the following actions:
Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date this decision becomes
final, the agency shall request that complainant clarify his claims,
specifically identifying the incidents that he is challenging, the dates
of occurrence, and the individuals involved. Complainant shall have
fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of his receipt of the agency's
request within which to respond.
Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of the agency's receipt
of complainant's response or the expiration of the time period for
complainant to respond, the agency shall notify complainant of the
claims to be processed and/or issue a new final decision if any claims
are dismissed from further processing.
Those claims accepted for further processing, shall be processed in
accordance with 29 C.F.R. �1614.108.
A copy of the agency's notice to complainant requesting clarification of
the claims being pursued and a copy of the notice of processing and/or
new final decision must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced
below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K1199)
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 complainant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the complainant may petition the Commission for enforcement
of the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503(a). The complainant 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 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659-60 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter
referred to as 29 C.F.R. ��1614.407, 1614.408) and 29 C.F.R. �1614.503(g).
Alternatively, the complainant 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. ��1614.407 and 1614.408. 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 complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of
the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter
referred to as 29 C.F.R. �1614.409).
COMPLAINANTS' RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION
(R0400)
This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative
processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil
action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United
States District Court WITHIN NINETY (90) CALENDAR DAYS from the date
that you receive this decision. 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 filed your appeal with the
Commission. 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. Filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)
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:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
August 30, 2000
__________________
Date
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
For timeliness purposes, the Commission will presume that this decision
was received within five (5) calendar days after it was mailed. I certify
that this decision was mailed to complainant, complainant's representative
(if applicable), and the agency on:
__________________
Date
______________________________
1On November 9, 1999, revised regulations governing the EEOC's federal
sector complaint process went into effect. These regulations apply to all
federal sector EEO complaints pending at any stage in the administrative
process. Consequently, the Commission will apply the revised regulations
found at 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644 (1999), where applicable, in deciding the
present appeal. The regulations, as amended, may also be found at the
Commission's website at www.eeoc.gov.