01A11986
03-29-2001
Sheila Jackson and Jennifer Johnson Complainant, v. William A. Halter, Acting Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Agency.
Sheila Jackson, Jennifer Johnson v. Social Security Administration
01A11626 and 01A11986
March 29, 2001
.
Sheila Jackson and Jennifer Johnson
Complainant,
v.
William A. Halter,
Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration,
Agency.
Appeal Nos. 01A11626, 01A11986
Agency Nos. 990462, 990473
Hearing Nos. 120-AO-3456X, 120-AO-3461X
DECISION
The appeal is accepted pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405 and consolidated
in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.606. Complainants alleged that
they were discriminated against on the basis of national origin
(non-Hispanic) when they were not converted to full-time positions
and when they were denied preferred shift hours.<1> Complainants are
mix-tour Telephone Service Representatives (TSR). TSRs respond to public
quires regarding agency services. The agency proffers a legitimate
nondiscriminatory reason for the challenged actions; namely, its need
to keep bilingual staff on duty. The agency points out that while most
of the Spanish language speaking staff is Hispanic, two bilingual staff
members are not. The record reveals that the non-Hispanic staff who are
bilingual are given the same treatment as the bilingual Hispanic staff.
The complainants fail to dispute the reason articulated by the agency
and they fail to identify any disputed issue of material fact. After
a review of the record in its entirety, including consideration of
all statements submitted on appeal, it is the decision of the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission to AFFIRM the agency's final order,
because the Administrative Judge's issuance of a decision without a
hearing was appropriate and a preponderance of the record evidence does
not establish that discrimination occurred.
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
March 29, 2001
Date
1 Complainants initially indicated that
they were discriminated against because they are non-Hispanic later,
in their pre-hearing statement, complainants state their race as Black.