0120092010
07-24-2009
Angela Miller,
Complainant,
v.
Eric K. Shinseki,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120092010
Agency No. 200406592009100885
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
decision dated March 12, 2009, dismissing her complaint of unlawful
employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure
to state a claim.
In a complaint dated January 14, 2009, complainant alleged that she was
subjected to discrimination/harassment on the bases of race (Caucasian)
and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity under Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 when two other nurse managers met with her
supervisor and had discussions about her.
In adjudicating a harassment complaint such as the instant one, where
the evidence does not establish that complainant was subjected to
any tangible employment action regarding a specific term, condition,
or privilege of employment, the Commission will examine whether
complainant's evidence of harassment, when considered together, is
sufficient to establish a hostile or abusive work environment claim.
See Estate of Routson v. National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
EEOC Request No. 05970388 (February 26, 1999). In determining whether an
objectively hostile or abusive work environment existed, we will examine
if the conduct in question was so severe or pervasive that it created a
work environment abusive to complainant because of his prior EEO activity.
Rideout v. Department of the Army, EEOC Appeal No. 01933866 (November
22, 1995)( citing Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 22
(1993)) request for reconsideration denied EEOC Request No. 05970995 (May
20, 1999). As part of this consideration, we will examine, among other
things, the frequency of the alleged discriminatory conduct; its severity;
whether it was physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive
utterance; and whether it unreasonably interfered with complainant's
work performance. Harris, 510 U.S. at 23. Upon review of the record,
we find that complainant has not set forth a viable claim of harassment.
In her appeal, complainant does not provide new arguments or information.
Rather, she reiterates matters as set forth in the record.
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under the
EEOC regulations because complainant failed to show that she suffered harm
or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). Further, complainant ha snot
set forth a viable claim of reprisal. Accordingly, the agency's final
decision dismissing complainant's complaint is affirmed.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
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 77960,
Washington, DC 20013. 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 (S0408)
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 (Z1008)
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
July 24, 2009
__________________
Date
2
0120092010
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
3
0120092010