01a05934
01-12-2001
Gail M. Murphy, Complainant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Gail M. Murphy v. United States Postal Service
01A05934
January 12, 2001
.
Gail M. Murphy,
Complainant,
v.
William J. Henderson,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A05934
Agency Nos. 1E-971-0025-98, 1E-971-0034-98, 1E-971-0041-98
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from an agency
decision dated August 9, 2000, dismissing her three complaints 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. In Agency
Case No. 1E-971-0025-98, complainant alleged that she was subjected to
discrimination on the basis of sex (female) when:
On February 18, 1998, complainant was issued a seven (7) day suspension.
In Agency Case No. 1E-971-0034-98, complainant alleged that she was
subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex (female) when:
On October 20, 1997, complainant received a letter of warning; and
On April 1, 1998, complainant's manager refused to extend the Step 2
grievance deadline on the letter of warning.
In Agency Case No. 1E-971-0041-98, complainant alleged that she was
subjected to discrimination on the bases of sex (female) and in reprisal
for prior EEO activity when:
On July 24, 1998, complainant was given a letter revoking her driving
privileges and indicating that she was unsafe.
At the conclusion of the agency's investigation of each of the three
complaints, complainant requested a hearing before an EEOC Administrative
Judge (AJ). Prior to the start of the hearing, the AJ dismissed the
three cases because he determined that complainant had filed a civil
action in federal district court concerning the same claims raised in the
EEO complaints. On August 9, 2000, the agency issued a final decision in
which it agreed with the AJ's determination and dismissed the complaints
on the grounds that the same issues were raised in a civil action.
Review of the record reveals that on May 11, 1999, complainant filed
a civil action (identified as Civil Action No.99-657 AA) in the United
States District Court for the District of Oregon. The record further
discloses that the claims raised therein are the same as those raised
in the present complaints.
Accordingly, the agency's decision to dismiss complainant's complaint
was proper and is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (S0900)
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 (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
January 12, 2001
__________________
Date