Iesha G.,1 Petitioner,v.William P. Barr, Attorney General, Department of Justice, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Apr 23, 2019

2019001633 (E.E.O.C. Apr. 23, 2019)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013

Iesha G.,1
Petitioner,

v.

William P. Barr,
Attorney General,
Department of Justice,
Agency.

Petition No. 2019001633
MSPB No. SF-0752-18-0645-1-l
Agency No. OBD-2017-01056

DECISION

On January 4, 2019, Petitioner filed a petition with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission seeking review of a Final Order issued by the Merit Systems Protection Board
(MSPB) regarding MSPB No. SF-0752-18-0645-1-l. For the reasons that follow, we DENY
consideration of Petitioner’s petition, and REMAND this matter to the Agency for further
processing.
BACKGROUND

In pertinent part, the record indicates that, on October 23, 2018, an MSPB Administrative Judge
issued an initial decision that dismissed Petitioner’s appeal alleging that her August 17, 2017
resignation was involuntary because the MSPB lacked jurisdiction over the matter.2

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission has jurisdiction over mixed case appeals and
complaints on which the MSPB has issued a decision that makes determinations on allegations of
discrimination. 29 C.F.R. § 1614.303 et seq.

1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Petitioner’s name when
the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website.
2 Prior to filing her appeal with the MSPB, Petitioner filed a mixed case complaint with the Agency
alleging that she was constructively discharged, effective August 17, 2017, because of
discrimination based on sex and disability.
2019001633

2
However, when the MSPB, as it did here, denies jurisdiction, the Commission has held that there
is little point in continuing to view the matter as a “mixed case” as defined by 29 C.F.R.
§ 1614.302(a), because the MSPB did not address any matters within the Commission’s
jurisdiction. Therefore, the Commission finds that it has no jurisdiction to review Petitioner’s
petition. This matter will be considered a “non-mixed” case and processed accordingly. See
generally Schmitt v. Dept. of Transportation, EEOC Appeal No. 01902126 (July 9, 1990); Phillips
v. Dept. of the Army, EEOC Request No. 05900883 (October 12, 1990); 29 C.F.R.
§ 1614.302(c)(2)(i) and (ii). In accordance with these principles, Petitioner’s request for review is
DENIED and Petition No. 2019001633 is hereby closed. MSPB No. SF-0752-18-0645-1-l is
referred to the Agency for further processing as outlined below.
ORDER

Petitioner is advised by operation of 29 C.F.R. § 1614.302(b) that the Agency, if it has not already
done so, is required to process her allegation of discrimination. Because Petitioner filed a mixed
case complaint with the Agency, the Agency, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.108(f), shall, within
30 calendar days of its receipt of this decision, notify Petitioner of the right to elect between a
hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge or an immediate final decision on her
discrimination claim pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.110.3

A copy of the notification shall be provided to the Compliance Officer listed below.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION’S DECISION (K0618)

Under 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c) and §1614.502, compliance with the Commission’s corrective
action is mandatory. Within seven (7) calendar days of the completion of each ordered corrective
action, the Agency shall submit via the Federal Sector EEO Portal (FedSEP) supporting documents
in the digital format required by the Commission, referencing the compliance docket number under
which compliance was being monitored. Once all compliance is complete, the Agency shall
submit via FedSEP a final compliance report in the digital format required by the Commission.
See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.403(g). The Agency’s final report must contain supporting documentation
when previously not uploaded, and the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the
Complainant and his/her representative.

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 29 C.F.R. §§ 1614.407, 1614.408, and
29 C.F.R. § 1614.503(g).

3 According to Petitioner’s attorney, she has another EEO complaint, Agency No. OBD-2017-
00177 pending before an EEOC Administrative Judge (EEOC Hearing No 480-2018-00196X).
Should Petitioner elect to have a hearing on her involuntary resignation claim, the Agency should
request that the matters be consolidated in the interest of administrative economy.
2019001633

3
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) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999). If
the Complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the complaint, including
any petition for enforcement, will be terminated. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.409.

PETITIONER’S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (W0610)

This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal
from the Commission’s decision. You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United
States District Court, based on the decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board, within thirty
(30) calendar days of 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.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815)

If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may request
permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or costs.
Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may request the
court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of court costs or
appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court has the sole
discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. Such requests do not alter the time limits for
filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to File a Civil Action for
the specific time limits).

FOR THE COMMISSION:

______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations

April 23, 2019
Date