01982392
04-28-1999
Dale J. Linnabary, Appellant, v. Richard J. Danzig, Secretary, Department of the Navy, Agency.
Dale J. Linnabary v. Department of the Navy
01982392
April 28, 1999
Dale J. Linnabary, )
Appellant, )
) Appeal No. 01982392
v. ) Agency No. 98-68445-015
)
Richard J. Danzig, )
Secretary, )
Department of the Navy, )
Agency. )
)
DECISION
On February 3, 1998, appellant filed an appeal of a December 16, 1997
final agency decision. The agency failed to provide a certified mail
return receipt or any other material capable of establishing the date
when appellant received the final agency decision. Accordingly, the
Commission presumes that appellant's appeal was filed within 30 days
of appellant's receipt of the agency's final decision. Accordingly,
the appeal is accepted as timely (see, 29 C.F.R. �1614.402(a)), in
accordance with the provisions of EEOC Order No. 960, as amended.
In his November 28, 1997 complaint, appellant alleged that he was
discriminated against on the bases of sex and color when he was
subjected to third party sexual harassment which resulted in a hostile
work environment. In a statement accompanying his complaint, appellant
described incidents of the alleged harassment directed toward female
employees. In its final decision, the agency framed the allegation of
appellant's complaint as whether appellant was discriminated against
when [Person A] engaged in verbal and physical actions of a sexual
nature toward female employees and customers of the Performance Systems
and Employee Services Department, Human Resources Office in Norfolk.
In dismissing the allegation for failure to state a claim, the agency
stated that appellant was not aggrieved because he had not suffered a
harm or loss as a result of Person A's alleged conduct.
On appeal, the agency contends that appellant lacks standing to raise
the allegation and that statements signed by witnesses contradicted
appellant's allegations of sexual harassment toward female co-workers
and customers.
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a) provides that an agency may
dismiss a complaint or a portion of a complaint which fails to state a
claim pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.103 or �1614.106(a). An agency shall
accept a complaint from any aggrieved employee who believes that he
or she has been discriminated against by that agency because of race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age or a disabling condition.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.103; �1614.106(a). The Commission's Federal sector
case precedent has long defined an "aggrieved employee" as one who suffers
a present harm or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege
of employment for which there is a remedy. Diaz v. Department of the
Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994).
In Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993), the Supreme
Court reaffirmed the holding of Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 477
U.S. 57, 67 (1986), that harassment is actionable if it is sufficiently
severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the complainant's
employment. The Court explained that an "objectively hostile or abusive
work environment" is created when "a reasonable person would find
[it] hostile or abusive: and the complainant subjectively perceives it
as such. Harris, supra at 21-22. Thus, not all claims of harassment
are actionable. Where a complaint does not challenge an agency action or
inaction regarding a specific term, condition or privilege of employment,
a claim of harassment is actionable only if, allegedly, the harassment
to which the complainant has been subjected was sufficiently severe or
pervasive to alter the conditions of the complainant's employment.
EEOC Compliance Manual, Section 615.3(a)(3) states that the harassment
of female employees may create an offensive work environment for male
employees. See Hill v. Department of Treasury, EEOC Request No. 05940914
(March 23, 1995)(favoritism in the workplace, based on submission to
sexual conduct, which is unwelcome to a third party, may create a hostile
work environment and constitute sexual harassment); Andrasko v. Department
of the Army, EEOC Appeal No. 01951304 (May 8, 1995)(appellant, a male,
alleged that discrimination directed against women created a hostile
work environment); Childress v. City of Richmond, 120 F.3d 476 (4th
Cir. 1997)(complaint by white police officers that they were subjected
to an environment that was hostile to black and females stated a claim
for relief).
Upon review, we find that the agency's decision was improper. Here the
record reflects that appellant is alleging that he was subjected to
a hostile work environment and he provided examples of the conduct
by describing alleged physical actions of and verbal remarks made by
Person A toward females in the workplace. We find that appellant's
complaint states a claim. When assessing failure to state a claim under
29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a), the focus of the inquiry is not on the truth
or falsity of the allegations, but whether what is charged is legally
cognizable, if proven to be true. A complaint should not be dismissed
for failure to state a claim unless it appears beyond doubt that the
complainant cannot prove a set of facts in support of the claim which
would entitle the complainant to relief. The trier of fact must consider
all of the alleged harassing incidents and remarks, and considering them
together in the light most favorable to the complainant, determine whether
they are sufficient to state a claim. Cobb v. Department of the Treasury,
EEOC Request No. 05970077 (March 13, 1997).
Consistent with our discussion herein, the agency's dismissal of
appellant's complaint is REVERSED and the complaint is REMANDED to the
agency for further processing.
ORDER
The agency is ORDERED to process the remanded allegation in accordance
with 29 C.F.R. �1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the appellant
that it has received the remanded allegation within thirty (30) calendar
days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall issue to
appellant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify appellant
of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days
of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter is otherwise
resolved prior to that time. If the appellant requests a final decision
without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision within sixty
(60) days of receipt of appellant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgement to appellant and a copy
of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of rights
must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0595)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.
The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30)
calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The
report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The agency's report must contain supporting
documentation, and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to
the appellant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the appellant may petition the Commission for enforcement of
the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503 (a). The appellant also has the right
to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's
order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement.
See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.408, 1614.409, and 1614.503 (g). Alternatively,
the appellant has the right to file a civil action on the underlying
complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File
A Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.408 and 1614.409. A civil action for
enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject to
the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. �2000e-16(c) (Supp. V 1993). If the
appellant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the
complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.410.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (R0993)
This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative
processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil
action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United
States District Court. It is the position of the Commission that 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. You should be aware, however, that courts in some
jurisdictions have interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner
suggesting that a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR
DAYS from the date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your
civil action is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN
THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision
or to consult an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the
jurisdiction in which your action would be filed. In the alternative,
you may file a civil action AFTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY (180) CALENDAR
DAYS of the date you filed your complaint with the agency, or filed your
appeal with the Commission. 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.
Filing a civil action will terminate the administrative processing of
your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1092)
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:
April 28, 1999
DATE Ronnie Blumenthal, Director
Office of Federal Operations