01a51162
03-23-2005
John Hetrick, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
John Hetrick v. United States Postal Service
01A51162
March 23, 2005
.
John Hetrick,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A51162
Agency No. 1A-111-0006-04
DECISION
Complainant appeals from the agency's final decision, dated October 18,
2004, in the above-entitled matter. Complainant alleged that the agency
had discriminated against him on the basis of race (White) when:
Complainant received a Letter of Warning in lieu of a Fourteen Day
Suspension, effective September 16, 2003.
In its decision, the agency found that complainant failed to identify any
similarly situated employees, who had committed the same infraction as
complainant, who received more favorable treatment. Rather, the agency
found that complainant received the Letter of Warning after he admitted to
arranging a prank, in which he, aided by a craft employee, placed a wire
and battery in the ceiling of a conference room to simulate a microphone.
The agency found that complainant identified no other supervisor, not
in complainant's protected class, who had engaged in similar conduct,
but for which he or she received less severe or no discipline.
In his complaint, complainant argues that another supervisor, who was in
the room at the time of the incident, but did nothing because he thought
nothing of it, was not issued a Letter of Warning. In its decision,
the agency distinguished complainant's actions finding that complainant
committed the act, while the other supervisor simply witnessed it.
After a review of the record in its entirety, including consideration
of all statements submitted on appeal, we find the preponderance of
the evidence of record does not establish that discrimination occurred.
We therefore AFFIRM the agency's final decision finding no discrimination
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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
March 23, 2005
__________________
Date