01A15400_r
03-14-2002
Lee A. Black, Complainant, v. Stephen A. Perry, Administrator, General Services Administration, Agency.
Lee A. Black v. General Services Administration
01A15400
March 14, 2002
.
Lee A. Black,
Complainant,
v.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator,
General Services Administration,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A15400
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency's August 30, 2001 decision dismissing
complainant's complaint was proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2),
for untimely EEO Counselor contact. Complainant alleges that he was
discriminated against on the bases of race, age, sex, disability,
color, and reprisal when he learned that he was not selected for the
position of Supervisory Realty Specialist, GS-1170-15, announced under
Vacancy Announcement No. 970037905, by letter dated October 31, 1997.
Complainant first contacted the agency by an undated letter received by
the agency on October 26, 1999.
Complainant appears to argue, first, that his untimeliness is due to the
agency sending correspondence to the wrong address. However, the record
indicates that the non-selection letter was sent to the same address
complainant lists on his complaint and on appeal. Complainant also
argues, on appeal, that he was unaware of the time limit for initiating
EEO Counselor contact. However, the Commission has found, in one of
complainant's previously filed appeals, that complainant has known of the
45-day limitation period to initiate EEO Counselor contact. See Black
v. Department of Health and Human Services, EEOC Appeal No. 01A10605
(July 20, 2001). In the previous decision, the Commission found that
complainant had knowledge of the time limit as early as December 1996.
Therefore, we find that complainant had actual knowledge of the
time limit for initiating EEO Counselor during the time in question.
Complainant does not present adequate justification to warrant extension
of the applicable time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact.
The agency's decision dismissing complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
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 14, 2002
__________________
Date