0120083250
09-24-2008
Bernadine Keys, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Bernadine Keys,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120083250
Agency No. 4J606006608
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
final decision (FAD) dated June 17, 2008, 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. and
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended,
29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq. In her complaint, complainant alleged that she
was subjected to discrimination on the bases of her race (Black), sex,
age (over fifty), and in reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when:
(1) on or about October 19, 2007, management instructed her to leave her
assignment and go on a 30-day detail which was subsequently extended;
and (2) management subjected her to discriminatory harassment.
In its FAD, the agency dismissed claim (1), pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �
1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The agency also
dismissed claim (2), pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for failure
to state a claim. The record discloses that complainant was placed on
detail on or about October 19, 2007, but she did not initiate contact
with an EEO Counselor until February 13, 2008, which is beyond the
forty-five (45) day limitation period. On appeal, complainant presented
no persuasive arguments or evidence warranting an extension of the time
limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact. Accordingly, the agency's
final decision dismissing claim (1) is affirmed.
We also affirm the agency's dismissal of claim (2). 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). Moreover, to the extent complainant is
claiming a discriminatory hostile work environment, we find that the
events described, even if proven to be true, would not indicate that
complainant has been subjected to harassment that was sufficiently
severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of her employment. See
Cobb v. Department of the Treasury, Request No. 05970077 (March 13,
1997). Accordingly, the agency's final decision dismissing complainant's
complaint is affirmed.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0408)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (Z0408)
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:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
September 24, 2008
__________________
Date
2
0120083250
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P. O. Box 19848
Washington, D.C. 20036
3
0120083250