Alex L.,1 Complainant,v.Ryan K. Zinke, Secretary, Department of the Interior (National Park Service), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Jan 31, 2018

0520180033 (E.E.O.C. Jan. 31, 2018)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013

Alex L.,1
Complainant,

v.

Ryan K. Zinke,
Secretary,
Department of the Interior
(National Park Service),
Agency.

Request No. 0520180033

Appeal No. 0120152019

Agency No. NPS-14-0433

DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION

Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or
Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120152019 (September 7, 2017).
EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to
reconsider any previous Commission decision issued pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(a), 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(c).

In his underlying complaint, Complainant alleged that the Agency subjected him to unlawful
religious discrimination when: (1) on February 21, 2012, management issued him a poor
performance evaluation; (2) from January through September 2012, the structural fire chief (C1)
repeatedly asked him to attend his church and participate in marriage counseling; (3) in April
2012, C1 changed Complainant’s chain of command; and (4) on September 7, 2012,
management terminated Complainant’s employment during his probationary period. The
Agency’s final decision found no discrimination. On appeal, the Commission affirmed the
Agency’s final decision. Specifically, we found that although Complainant established a prima

1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant’s name
when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website.
0520180033

2
facie case of religious discrimination, the Agency nonetheless articulated legitimate,
nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions. Namely, that Complainant’s numerous performance
deficiencies during his probationary period ultimately led to his termination.

In his request for reconsideration, Complainant largely reiterates arguments made, and fully
considered on appeal. Accordingly, 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(c), and it
is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No.
0120152019 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 (Z0815)

If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may
request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or
costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may
request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of
court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The
court has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. Such requests do not alter
the time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to
File a Civil Action for the specific time limits).

FOR THE COMMISSION:

______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations

January 31, 2018
Date