01A30392_r
05-02-2003
Richard A. Becker, Complainant, v. Anthony J. Principi, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.
Richard A. Becker v. Department of Veterans Affairs
01A30392
May 2, 2003
.
Richard A. Becker,
Complainant,
v.
Anthony J. Principi,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A30392
Agency No. 200M02103184
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to
state a claim.<1> In a complaint dated June 21, 2002, complainant alleged
that he was subjected to discrimination on the bases of disability, age
(D.O.B. 4/4/36), and reprisal for contacting the Department of Labor when:
In November 2001, the complainant expressed an interest in employment
for Retail Management, but was not hired and received no response from
the management officials;
In February 2002, the complainant expressed interest in employment
for Retail Management, but was not hired and received no response from
management officials; and
On May 7, 2002, the complainant expressed interest in employment for
Retail Management but was not hired and received no response from
management officials.
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under the
EEOC regulations because complainant failed to show that he suffered harm
or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). Specifically, we note
that complainant does not dispute the agency's contention that his
inquiries about employment with the agency were not made in response to
vacancy announcements. We find that the agency's failure to respond to
unsolicited letters expressing an interest in employment does not state
a cognizable claim.
Further, we note that on appeal complainant attempts to amend his
complaint to include additional incidents of on going discrimination.
Specifically, he references a non-selection for the position of Retail
Manager and/or the Manager trainee program which he alleges occurred in
September 2002. Complainant is advised that if he wishes to raise this
claim and has not already done so, he should contact an EEO Counselor
within fifteen days of receiving this decision.
Accordingly, the agency's final 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
May 2, 2003
__________________
Date
1Because we are affirming the dismissal of
complainant's complaint for failure to state a claim, we will not address
the agency's alternative grounds of dismissal.