0120071243
04-09-2009
Barbara Pridgen, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Barbara Pridgen,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120071243
Agency No. 1C291002506
DECISION
On January 3, 2007, complainant filed an appeal from the agency's December
5, 2006 final decision concerning her equal employment opportunity
(EEO) complaint alleging employment discrimination in violation of
Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act),
as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq. The appeal is accepted pursuant
to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a). For the following reasons, the Commission
AFFIRMS the agency's final decision.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, complainant worked
as a Mail Handler at the agency's Processing and Distribution Center
in Columbia, South Carolina. On June 17, 2006, complainant filed an
EEO complaint alleging that she was discriminated against on the basis
of disability (migraines) when, on April 12, 2006, management denied
her request to transfer from the Mail Handler craft to the Maintenance
craft.1
At the conclusion of the investigation, complainant was provided with a
copy of the report of investigation and notice of her right to request
a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). In accordance with
complainant's request, the agency issued a final decision pursuant to 29
C.F.R. � 1614.110(b). The decision concluded that complainant failed
to prove that she was subjected to discrimination as alleged. The FAD
found that assuming, arguendo, complainant had established a prima facie
case of disability discrimination, the agency nonetheless articulated
legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions. Specifically,
complainant's attendance and safety record were not satisfactory and,
therefore, management officials did not approve complainant's transfer
request. The FAD concluded that complainant failed to show that
these articulated reasons were a pretext for unlawful discrimination.
On appeal, complainant reiterates her contention that her attendance
record was satisfactory and that the agency discriminated against her
on the basis of her disability.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
As this is an appeal from a decision issued without a hearing, pursuant
to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.110(b), the agency's decision is subject to de novo
review by the Commission. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a). See EEOC Management
Directive 110, Chapter 9, � VI.A. (November 9, 1999) (explaining that
the de novo standard of review "requires that the Commission examine
the record without regard to the factual and legal determinations of the
previous decision maker," and that EEOC "review the documents, statements,
and testimony of record, including any timely and relevant submissions
of the parties, and . . . issue its decision based on the Commission's
own assessment of the record and its interpretation of the law").
To prevail in a disparate treatment claim such as this, complainant
must satisfy the three-part evidentiary scheme fashioned by the
Supreme Court in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973).
She must generally establish a prima facie case by demonstrating that
she was subjected to an adverse employment action under circumstances
that would support an inference of discrimination. Furnco Construction
Co. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567, 576 (1978). The prima facie inquiry may be
dispensed with in this case, however, because the agency has articulated
legitimate and nondiscriminatory reasons for its conduct. See United
States Postal Service Board of Governors v. Aikens, 460 U.S. 711,
713-17 (1983); Holley v. Department of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Request
No. 05950842 (November 13, 1997). To ultimately prevail, complainant must
prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the agency's explanation
is a pretext for discrimination. Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products,
Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 143 (2000); St. Mary's Honor Center v. Hicks, 509
U.S. 502, 519 (1993); Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine,
450 U.S. 248, 256 (1981); Holley v. Department of Veterans Affairs,
EEOC Request No. 05950842 (November 13, 1997); Pavelka v. Department of
the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05950351 (December 14, 1995).
Here, we find that the agency articulated legitimate, non-discriminatory
reasons for its actions. The record shows that, by letter dated
February 27, 2006, complainant was informed that her request to transfer
from the Mail Handler craft to the Maintenance craft had been denied.
(Report of Investigation, Affidavit A, 16-19). In support of this denial,
the Manager, Maintenance (MM) and the Senior Plant Manager (SPM) both
stated that complainant's attendance record and her safety record were
unsatisfactory. Id. Specifically, the record shows that complainant had
two accidents within the five-year period prior to her transfer request.
(R.O.I., Exhibit 2). The record also shows that, although the majority of
complainant's unscheduled absences were covered by the Family and Medical
Leave Act, and therefore could not be considered, complainant's attendance
record still reflected an unsatisfactory number of unscheduled absences.
Particularly, the MM stated that complainant's attendance record showed
a high number of unscheduled absences immediately preceding or following
holidays and/or scheduled days off. (R.O.I., Affidavit B). Accordingly,
the record shows that the MM and the SPM both denied complainant's
transfer request based upon her safety record and her attendance record.
We find that complainant has proffered no evidence to show that the
agency's articulated reasons for its actions are a pretext for unlawful
disability discrimination. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the FAD.
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
April 9, 2009
Date
1 We note that complainant has not alleged that the agency's denial of
her transfer request was a denial of a reasonable accommodation under
the Rehabilitation Act.
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0120071243
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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