01984112
04-20-1999
Lois J. Johnson, Appellant, v. William S. Cohen, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Defense Finance & Accounting Service), Agency.
Lois J. Johnson v. Department of Defense
01984112
April 20, 1999
Lois J. Johnson, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01984112
) Agency No. DFAS-PSO-CO-98-0003
William S. Cohen, )
Secretary, )
Department of Defense, )
(Defense Finance & Accounting )
Service), )
Agency. )
________________________________)
DECISION
Appellant filed the instant appeal from an undated agency decision
dismissing a portion of appellant's complaint. The agency subsequently
issued a decision dated July 2, 1998 superseding the prior decision
(which the agency stated was dated March 20, 1998). In the July 2, 1998
decision the agency defined the complaint as alleging that appellant was
discriminated against based on age, sex and subjected to a hostile work
environment when the following occurred:
The agency failed to recognize and adhere to a Federal Order.
Prohibited personnel practices.
Denial of promotions and promotional opportunities.
During the period of September 19 - 30, 1997, appellant was forced into
retirement.
The agency accepted allegation 4 for investigation. The agency
dismissed allegations 1 - 3 on the grounds that these allegations
stated the same claims as raised by appellant in DFAS-CO-0000H-96-011
and DFAS-CO-0000H-97-015 and on the grounds that appellant only raised
allegation 4 during EEO counseling.
The Commission's review of the instant complaint shows that allegations
1 - 3 are incidents which appellant claims led to her retirement at
issue in allegation 4. Therefore we find that allegations 1 - 3 are
related to allegation 4 and were improperly dismissed pursuant to 29
C.F.R. �1614.107(b).
The Commission finds that the two complaints cited by the agency,
DFAS-CO-0000H-96-011 and DFAS-CO-0000H-97-015, concern nonselection
allegations. Allegations 1 - 3 in the instant complaint may concern
the same nonselections at issue in the other two complaints filed by
appellant and cited by the agency, but it is unclear from the record what
specific actions are at issue in allegations 1 - 3. Furthermore, the
incidents cited in allegations 1 - 3 may be background information only.
The Commission shall remand the matter so that the agency may contact
appellant to clarify allegations 1 - 3. The agency shall clarify the
specific actions (and dates of such actions) at issue in allegations
1 - 3. If the agency determines that the redefined allegations may
be dismissed pursuant to �1614.107(a), then it may issue a decision
dismissing the redefined allegations.
The agency's decision dismissing allegations 1 - 3 is VACATED and
we REMAND allegations 1 - 3 to the agency for further processing in
accordance with this decision and applicable regulations.
ORDER
The agency shall contact appellant to clarify allegations 1 - 3 and the
agency shall redefine allegations 1 - 3 to reflect the understanding of
the allegations by the parties. Within 60 days of the date this decision
becomes final the agency shall issue a letter to appellant accepting the
redefined allegations for investigation or issue a new decision dismissing
the redefined allegations. A copy of the letter accepting the redefined
allegations or new decision dismissing the redefined allegations must
be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced herein.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0595)
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 appellant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the appellant may petition the Commission for enforcement of
the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503 (a). The appellant 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. �� 1614.408, 1614.409, and 1614.503 (g). Alternatively,
the appellant 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. �� 1614.408 and 1614.409. 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� (Supp. V 1993).
If the appellant files a civil action, the administrative processing of
the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.410.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (R0993)
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. It is the position of the Commission that 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. You should be aware, however, that courts in some
jurisdictions have interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner
suggesting that a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR
DAYS from the date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your
civil action is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN
THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision
or to consult an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the
jurisdiction in which your action would be filed. 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 (Z1092)
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:
April 20, 1999 Ronnie Blumenthal, Director
DATE Office of Federal Operations