01A11473
04-12-2001
Robert W. Brenner, Complainant, v. Lawrence J. Delaney, Acting Secretary, Department of the Air Force, Agency.
Robert W. Brenner v. Department of the Air Force
01A11473
April 12, 2001
.
Robert W. Brenner,
Complainant,
v.
Lawrence J. Delaney,
Acting Secretary,
Department of the Air Force,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A11473
Agency No. EL0R00010
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that the complaint was properly
dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) for untimely EEO
Counselor contact. The record discloses that the alleged discriminatory
events occurred on November 16, 1999 (supervisor refused to remove a
memorandum from complainant's folder) and in March 2000 (supervisor gave
preferential treatment to certain employees), but that complainant did
not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until June 21, 2000, which
is beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period.
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.
On appeal, complainant states that he unsuccessfully waited from November
19, 1999 to March 2000 to give his supervisor a chance to resolve the
issue of the letter. Complainant also states that he corresponded
with his state senator to resolve the issue and that again, the issue
was not resolved. Following the congressional correspondence,
complainant contacted the EEO office to have the matter resolved.
The Commission finds that complainant failed to contact the agency's EEO
office within the forty-five (45) day time limitation. The Commission
therefore determines that the agency's decision to dismiss the complaint
was proper and is AFFIRMED.
Because we affirm the agency's decision to dismiss the complaint for
the reason stated herein, we find it unnecessary to address the agency's
decision to dismiss the complaint on alternative grounds.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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
April 12, 2001
__________________
Date