0520120113
05-07-2012
Tracy Bartlett, Complainant, v. Timothy F. Geithner, Secretary, Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service), Agency.
Tracy Bartlett,
Complainant,
v.
Timothy F. Geithner,
Secretary,
Department of the Treasury
(Internal Revenue Service),
Agency.
Request No. 0520120113
Appeal No. 0120112896
Agency No. IRS112056M
DENIAL
Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in Tracy Bartlett v. Department of the Treasury, EEOC Appeal No. 0120112896 (October 13, 2011). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b).
Our previous decision affirmed the Agency's dismissal for Complainant's claim for untimely EEO Counselor contact. We noted that the earliest Complainant contacted anyone regarding her discrimination claim was by letter dated October 8, 2010, directed to the Commission's Boston Area Office. This was several months after her cause of action accrued. Complainant argued that she had not been aware, or alternatively, had been willing to admit to herself that her condition might be a disability protected by law. We further noted that posters containing relevant information regarding the protected bases under EEO statutes and the deadline for EEO Counselor contact where on display in Complainant's workplace.
In her request for reconsideration, Complainant argues, inter alia, that the fact that she was hospitalized for in-patient treatment at the end of February 2010 supports a finding that she was "significantly impaired" enough to warrant extension of the deadline for counselor contact. We note that Complainant's hospitalization occurred long before her appeal in this case was filed, but was not urged as grounds for extension of the deadline during the proceedings below.
While we are not unsympathetic to Complainant's situation, we nonetheless find that her request does not meet the criteria for reconsideration. We remind Complainant that a "request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission." E.g., Lopez v. Dep't of Agriculture, EEOC Request No. 0520070736 (Aug. 20, 2007); EEO Management Directive for Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), Chap. 9, �VII.A. (Nov. 9, 1999). A reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the previous decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law; or (2) will have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant's request meets neither of these criteria.
After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), and it is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120112896 remains the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request.
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610)
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 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.
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
May 7, 2012
Date
2
0520120113
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0520120113