Barney G.,1 Complainant,v.Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary, Department of Commerce (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Sep 20, 2019

2019004789 (E.E.O.C. Sep. 20, 2019)

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

Barney G.,1
Complainant,

v.

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.,
Secretary,
Department of Commerce
(National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration),
Agency.

Request No. 2019004789

Appeal No. 0120180501

Agency No. 54-2017-00104

DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION

Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or
Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120180501 (May 15, 2019). 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).

Complainant was employed by the Agency as a Meteorological Intern, GS-1340-11, at the
National Weather Service facility in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Complainant filed an EEO
complaint alleging discrimination on the bases of age and reprisal when: (1) on February 17,
2017, Complainant received a letter of reprimand; and (2) on March 7, 2017, Complainant was
issued a three (3) day Suspension Notice.

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.
2019004789

2
Complainant did not request a hearing. Our prior appellate decision affirmed the Agency’s final
decision that concluded that Complainant failed to prove that the Agency subjected him to
discrimination as alleged.

In his request for reconsideration, Complainant expresses his disagreement with the previous
decision, and makes some arguments that he previously raised on appeal. We emphasize that a
request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. See EEO MD-110, Ch. 9,
§ VII.A. Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the appellate
decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or will have a
substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant has not
done so here.

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. 0120180501 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.
2019004789

3
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

September 20, 2019
Date