EEOC Appeal No. 0120170029
11-23-2016
Drew N. v. Dep't of Homeland Sec.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
Drew N.,1
Complainant,
v.
Jeh Johnson,
Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security
(Transportation Security Administration),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120170029
Agency No. HSTSA000172016
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated August 1, 2016, dismissing his 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.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Behavior-Detection Officer at the Agency's O'Hare International Airport facility in Chicago, Illinois.
On November 9, 2015, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to unlawful retaliation when, on October 21, 2015, the Chief of the Formal Complaints Section of TSA's EEO Management Branch misidentified, refused to investigate, and improperly dismissed one of the claims he raised in a previous EEO complaint (HS-TSA-23461-2015), knowing that as a result of her actions, the claim would not be investigated.
The Agency dismissed the complaint, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(8), for alleging dissatisfaction of with the processing of a previously filed complaint. The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The Agency properly dismissed the instant complaint as it is alleging dissatisfaction with the processing of a previously filed complaint (HS-TSA-23461-2015) and, as such, does not state an independent claim. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(8). The previously filed complaint was consolidated with four other complaints. Complainant is basically stating that the Agency refused to accept the claim he made in HS-TSA-23461-2015.
The Agency properly informed Complainant that in the event Complainant requests a hearing, he may raise the matter with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Administrative Judge. If he does not request a hearing, he may pursue any concerns with the Office of Federal Operations on appeal when a final Agency decision is issued on those complaints.
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0416)
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), at Chap. 9 � VII.B (Aug. 5, 2015). All requests and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The requests may be submitted via regular mail to P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013, or by certified mail to 131 M Street, NE, Washington, DC 20507. 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 (S0610)
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 (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. 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
November 23, 2016
__________________
Date
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.
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