01990751
08-19-1999
Arthur L. Everhart, Appellant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Arthur L. Everhart v. United States Postal Service
01990751
August 19, 1999
Arthur L. Everhart, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01990751
) Agency No. 1-H-391-1033-95
William J. Henderson, )
Postmaster General, )
United States Postal Service, )
Agency. )
)
DECISION
Upon review, we find that the agency properly dismissed appellant's
complaint. Appellant alleged in a formal EEO complaint filed on
May 5, 1995, that he was discriminated against when on March 18,
1995, his supervisor took him to the Manager's office and informed
him that disciplinary action was forthcoming. On March 24, 1995,
appellant received a Notice of Proposed Removal. On May 19, 1995,
appellant received a letter of decision supporting his removal and
he was notified of his appeal rights to the Merit Systems Protection
Board (MSPB). On May 31, 1995, appellant filed an appeal with the MSPB
alleging discrimination concerning his removal. The MSPB appeal was
resolved through a settlement agreement dated August 23, 1995, wherein
the removal was reduced to a seven day suspension without pay.
On September 8, 1995, the agency dismissed appellant's EEO complaint
finding that no action was taken against appellant at the March 18,
1995 meeting and that it was merely a proposed action. On appeal, the
Commission found that appellant's complaint really concerned his removal
which was ultimately implemented, i.e., it merged with the proposed
action. The Commission noted that the appeal referred to "services"
before the MSPB, however, there was no evidence of record to show that
appellant elected to appeal to the MSPB and appellant's EEO complaint
was remanded to the agency for further processing. On October 16,
1998, the agency issued the final decision at issue herein dismissing
appellant's complaint on the grounds that appellant elected to file an
appeal with the MSPB on the issue of his removal.
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(d) provides that the agency shall
dismiss a complaint where the complainant has raised the matter in an
appeal to the MSPB. EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.302(b) provides that
a person elects to pursue an MSPB appeal or a mixed case complaint based
upon whichever is filed first. While in the present case, appellant
filed an EEO complaint prior to filing his MSPB appeal, he has pursued
the MSPB appeal through to resolution, i.e., a settlement agreement.
It would be inappropriate to now allow him to use the EEO forum to
pursue his mixed case complaint on the same issue previously resolved.
Consequently, we hereby AFFIRM the final agency decision dismissing
appellant's complaint for the reasons stated herein.
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. �1614.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0993)
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. 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:
August 19, 1999
DATE Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director
Office of Federal Operations