01A21023_r
04-25-2002
Charles E. Brown, Complainant, v. Thomas E. White, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.
Charles E. Brown v. Department of the Army
01A21023
April 25, 2002
.
Charles E. Brown,
Complainant,
v.
Thomas E. White,
Secretary,
Department of the Army,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A21023
Agency No. AWGRFO0110B0240
DECISION
Complainant appeals the November 14, 2001 agency decision dismissing
complainant's complaint. Complainant alleges that he was discriminated
against on the bases of religion and reprisal when, (1) on June 20,
2001, complainant's representative of choice was denied official time to
represent complainant, and (2) by denying his representative of choice
official time, he was denied his representative of choice. The agency
dismissed complainant's complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2),
for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The agency further dismissed the
complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for failure to state
a claim.
Regarding claim 1, the record is devoid of evidence that the agency denied
complainant's representative of choice official time. The record only
indicates that union officials denied complainant's representative of
choice official time. Moreover, there is no indication that complainant,
or complainant's representative of choice ever specifically asked the
agency for official time to represent complainant. Therefore, we find
that complainant has not shown that the agency has violated 29 C.F.R. �
1614.605(b), by denying his representative of choice official time.
Regarding claim 2, we find that complainant should have raised the claim
of denial of representative of choice in the underlying complaint, and
not in a subsequent complaint. Therefore, the Commission finds that
claim 2 was properly dismissed.
For the reasons set forth in this decision, the agency's decision is
AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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 (S0900)
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 (Z1199)
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
April 25, 2002
__________________
Date