01980145
06-16-1999
America Seymour, Appellant, v. Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Agency.
America Seymour v. Social Security Administration
01980145
June 16, 1999
America Seymour, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01980145
) Agency No. 97-0500-SSA
Kenneth S. Apfel, )
Commissioner, )
Social Security Administration, )
Agency. )
)
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency erred in part in its September 15,
1997 decision dismissing appellant's complaint on the bases of failure
to state a claim under the provisions of 29 C.F.R.�1614.107(a).
The record shows that appellant filed a formal complaint alleging
that she had been discriminated against on the basis of reprisal for
prior EEO activity when: (1) on January 21, 1997, she was not excused
from conducting face-to-face interviews, and the Operations Supervisor
addressed her using inappropriate language; (2) on April 3, 1997, the
Assistant Field Office Manager wrote the appellant a note concerning the
arrival time appellant had recorded on the sign-in sheet; (3) on April 6,
1997, the Operations Supervisor and the Administrative Aide would not
sign appellant's leave slip, directing her instead to the FEI Supervisor,
who did sign the slip; and, (4) when appellant's child care provider
called on April 29, 1997, she was not permitted to speak to appellant
directly; instead, the call was transferred to appellant's voice mail.
The record further shows that on January 28, 1997, appellant reached a
settlement agreement with the agency and agreed that "this settlement
agreement is in full satisfaction of all claims complainant may have
with regard to ... and any other potential or actual complaints which
complainant may have up to the day of execution of this agreement".
In its final decision, the agency found that because allegation (1)
was covered by the settlement agreement, "no further action" would
be taken concerning said allegation. We agree. Although on appeal
appellant contends that allegation (1) was never part of any complaint,
the settlement agreement specifically included any potential complaints
which appellant had until January 28, 1997.<1>
The agency dismissed allegations (2), (3) and (4) on the grounds of
failure to state a claim after finding that the conduct alleged was not
sufficient to establish a claim of harassment. We agree that allegations
(2) and (3) do not state a claim. A review of these allegations
persuades the Commission that when considered together and treated
as true, allegations (2) and (3) are not sufficient to state a claim
either of disparate treatment or a hostile or abusive work environment.
See Cobb v. Department of the Treasury, EEOC Request No. 05970077 (March
13, 1997).
The Commission finds that appellant has stated a claim in allegation (4).
Appellant alleged that other employees not of her protected group are
notified over the facility intercom that a telephone call is waiting
whereas appellant is not provided this courtesy. Because appellant
alleges a harm to the conditions of her employment, notification
of telephone calls, appellant has stated a claim in allegation
(4). Accordingly, the Commission hereby AFFIRMS the FAD's dismissal of
allegations (1), (2), and (3) and REVERSES the dismissal of allegation
(4). Allegation (4) is REMANDED for further processing consistent with
this decision and applicable regulations.
ORDER (E1092)
The agency is ORDERED to process the remanded allegations in accordance
with 29 C.F.R. �1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the appellant
that it has received the remanded allegations within thirty (30) calendar
days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall issue to
appellant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify appellant
of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days
of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter is otherwise
resolved prior to that time. If the appellant requests a final decision
without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision within sixty
(60) days of receipt of appellant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgement to appellant and a copy
of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of rights
must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0595)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.
The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30)
calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The
report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The agency's report must contain supporting
documentation, and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to
the appellant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the appellant may petition the Commission for enforcement of
the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503 (a). The appellant also has the right
to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's
order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement.
See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.408, 1614.409, and 1614.503 (g). Alternatively,
the appellant has the right to file a civil action on the underlying
complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to
File A Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.408 and 1614.409. A civil
action for enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is
subject to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. �2000e-16� (Supp. V 1993).
If the appellant files a civil action, the administrative processing of
the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.410.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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. �l6l4.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (T0993)
This decision affirms the agency's final decision in part, but it also
requires the agency to continue its administrative processing of a
portion of your complaint. You have the right to file a civil action
in an appropriate United States District Court on both that portion of
your complaint which the Commission has affirmed AND that portion of the
complaint which has been remanded for continued administrative processing.
It is the position of the Commission that 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.
You should be aware, however, that courts in some jurisdictions have
interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner suggesting that
a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the
date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your civil action
is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN THIRTY (30)
CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision or to consult
an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the jurisdiction
in which your action would be filed. In the alternative, you may file
a civil action AFTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY (180) CALENDAR DAYS of the
date you filed your complaint with the agency, or your appeal with the
Commission, until such time as the agency issues its final decision
on your complaint. 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 (Z1092)
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:
June 16, 1999
DATE Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director
Office of Federal Operations
1 The incident in question occurred on January 21, 1997.