0120092018
08-11-2009
Dwayne L. Hutchinson, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Dwayne L. Hutchinson,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120092018
Agency No. 1H-337-0003-09
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from a final
agency decision dated March 6, 2009, 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. and
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29
U.S.C. � 621 et seq. Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's
complaint was properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1).
In a formal EEO complaint dated February 16, 2009, complainant alleged
that the agency subjected him to hostile work environment harassment on
the bases of religion (unspecified) and age (over 40) when (1) around
October 8, 2008, management allowed a coworker (C1) who threatened
complainant in July 2008 to return to work and (2) on October 7, 2008,
a manager ridiculed complainant in front of 30 coworkers and C1 cursed
at him.
In its March 6 final decision, the agency dismissed the instant complaint
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state a claim.
The agency stated that "the actions complained of, if true, are neither
sufficiently severe nor pervasive to create a discriminatory hostile
or abusive working environment." The instant appeal from complainant
followed. On appeal, complainant stated that the actions alleged
render him aggrieved because they are not isolated. Complainant alleged
additional harassing incidents on appeal.
Here, we agree with the agency finding that the incidents alleged fail
to state a claim under EEOC regulations. Complainant failed to show
that he suffered harm or loss with respect to a term, condition, or
privilege of employment for which there is a remedy1 or that the actions
as alleged are sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions
of his employment. See Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17,
21 (1993). We note that complainant can not add to his claim at this
stage of the EEO process. Accordingly, we AFFIRM the agency's final
decision dismissing complainant's complaint.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
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 77960,
Washington, DC 20013. 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 (Z1008)
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 from the Court that
the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also
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 with
the Court 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
August 11, 2009
__________________
Date
1 See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049
(April 21, 1994).
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0120092018
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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0120092018