0120113535
11-30-2012
Renee Baucum, Complainant, v. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.
Renee Baucum,
Complainant,
v.
Eric K. Shinseki,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120113535
Agency No. 200406522011101366
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated June 22, 2011, dismissing her complaint of unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Medical Records Technician at the Agency's VAMC facility in Richmond, Virginia.
On March 10, 2011, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the basis of race (African-American) when she was denied participation in her unit's pilot telework program. Specifically, she alleged that, in April 2010, she was told she was not qualified to work in the pilot telework program because she did not meet the work production standards. In addition, Complainant alleged that in October 2010 and on November 5, 2010, her supervisor denied her renewed requests to participate in the telework program because an audit had not yet been done of Complainant's work to determine whether or not she now qualified for the program. Complainant stated that some Caucasian employees were allowed to participate and one had less seniority than Complainant.
In addition, Complainant asserted that, prior to this time, she had been subjected to race discrimination when: in 2007, a co-worker instructed Complainant not to help another black co-worker with her work but that it was okay to help a white co-worker; in July 2008, her supervisor sent her an email stating she could no longer take her lunch break in the back office; in December 2008, her supervisor made a comment Complainant did not appreciate, she was 'counseled' for turning a report in late and was told she would no longer be granted compensatory time; and between 2008-2010 her supervisor did not respond to her requests to move to another work space.
The Agency dismissed the complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact, asserting that, according to Complainant, she was last denied participation in the telework program on November 5, 2010, but did not initiate contact with a counselor until January 5, 2011, beyond the 45-day limitation period.
The instant appeal followed. Complainant argues that because her work has not yet been audited, which is necessary to qualify her for the telework program, the discrimination is ongoing and her EEO contact, therefore, was timely made.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(a)(1) requires that complaints of discrimination should be brought to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor within forty-five (45) days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory or, in the case of a personnel action, within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of the action.
The record discloses that Complainant was last denied her request to participate in the telework program on November 5, 2010, but did not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until January 5, 2011, which is beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period. At the time of the November denial, she knew that Caucasian employees were allowed to participate and she was not. While Complainant argues that this matter should be considered a continuing violation, we find that the denials were more in the nature of discrete acts which should have put Complainant on notice to seek EEO counseling. Likewise, all the incidents from 2007-2010 are also untimely raised. On appeal, Complainant has presented no persuasive arguments or evidence warranting an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact.
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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), at 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 77960, Washington, DC 20013. 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 (S0610)
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 (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
November 30, 2012
__________________
Date
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0120113535
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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0120113535