03a50028
05-24-2005
Charles Widmer, Petitioner, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Charles Widmer v. United States Postal Service
03A50028
May 24, 2005
.
Charles Widmer,
Petitioner,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Petition No. 03A50028
MSPB No. DA-0752-04-0683-I-1
DECISION
On April 4, 2005, petitioner filed a timely petition with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission asking for review of a Initial Decision
issued by the Merit Systems Protection Board Administrative Judge (MSPB
AJ) concerning his claim of discrimination in violation of Section 501
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29
U.S.C. � 791 et seq. Petitioner, a Maintenance Manager at an agency's
Little Rock, Arkansas, Processing and Distribution Center, alleged that he
was discriminated against on the bases of disability (major depression,
generalized anxiety disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder) and
reprisal (prior EEO activity) when the agency constructively suspended
him when he attempted to return to work following a prolonged period of
sick leave.
On August 27, 2004, petitioner filed a mixed case appeal with the MSPB.
After a hearing, the MSPB AJ found that petitioner failed to establish
his claims of disability discrimination and unlawful retaliation.
This petition followed.
EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission has jurisdiction over
mixed case appeals on which the MSPB has issued a decision that makes
determinations on allegations of discrimination. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.303
et seq. The Commission must determine whether the decision of the
MSPB with respect to the allegation of discrimination constitutes a
correct interpretation of any applicable law, rule, regulation or policy
directive, and is supported by the evidence in the record as a whole.
29 C.F.R. � 1614.305(c).
For purposes of analysis, we assume petitioner is an individual with
a disability. 29 C.F.R. � 1630.2(g)(1). Based upon a thorough review
of the record and for the foregoing reasons, it is the decision of
the Commission to concur with the final decision of the MSPB finding
no discrimination. The Commission finds that the MSPB's decision
constitutes a correct interpretation of the laws, rules, regulations,
and policies governing this matter and is supported by the evidence in
the record as a whole.
PETITIONER'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (W0900)
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,
based on the decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board, within
thirty (30) calendar days of 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 (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
May 24, 2005
__________________
Date