0320150039
04-03-2015
Petitioner, v. Megan J. Brennan, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Pacific Area), Agency.
Petitioner,
v.
Megan J. Brennan,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Pacific Area),
Agency.
Petition No. 0320150039
MSPB No. SF-0353-14-0098-I-1
DECISION
On March 11, 2015, 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-0353-14-0098-I-1. 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 Petitioner was employed by the Agency as an unassigned regular full-time employee at the San Bernardino Processing and Distribution Center (SBP&DC) in San Bernardino, California. Because she had suffered a compensable injury in 2004, she was offered, and accepted a limited-duty position in the manual letters section effective January 5, 2010. Her job there was abolished, effective September 24, 2010, because of a lack of mail volume. She was reassigned to a Mail Processing Clerk, PS-6 position. Petitioner had medical restrictions related to her ankle. The Agency conducted a search for work within her restrictions across all shifts and crafts within the processing center, within and outside of the San Diego District and throughout a 50-mile radius Local Commuting Area (LCA), but found no work that she could perform within her restrictions.
On December 23, 2010, the Agency issued a Complete Day No Work Available letter, directing her to leave for the remainder of her workday and not report back unless she was contacted. Petitioner submitted updated medical documentation in February 2012, following an Agency request. She was allowed to return to work in February 2013, after the Agency reviewed her medical restrictions and identified work within her restrictions pursuant to the National Return to Work Project. She filed the instant appeal asserting that the Agency improperly denied her request for restoration as a partially-recovered employee.1 An MSPB Administrative Judge dismissed Petitioner's appeal for lack of jurisdiction in an initial decision. Petitioner filed a petition seeking a review by the full Board; however, on February 25, 2015, the full Board issued a final decision upholding the initial decision in pertinent part. The instant petition followed.
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. 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. 0320150039 is hereby administratively closed. MSPB No. SF-0353-14-0098-I-1 is referred to the Agency for further processing as outlined below.
NOTICE TO THE PARTIES
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 allegations of discrimination pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108(f). Within 30 calendar days of its receipt of this decision, the Agency shall notify Petitioner of the right to elect between a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge or an immediate final decision on his discrimination claim pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.110. A copy of the notification shall be provided to the Compliance Officer listed below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0610)
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 77960, Washington, DC 20013. The Agency's report must contain supporting documentation, and the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the Complainant. 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). 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 (Z0610)
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 from the Court that the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also 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 with the Court 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
___4/3/15_______________
Date
1 Prior to filing her appeal with the MSPB, Petitioner received a May 30, 2013 final agency decision finding that the Agency did not discriminate against her based on age or disability when she was not permitted to return to work for nearly a year after her submission of updated medical information.
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0320150039
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013