05a60073
11-11-2005
Eddie L. Mustiful, Complainant, v. Mike Johanns, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Agency.
Eddie L. Mustiful v. Department of Agriculture
05A60073
11-11-05
.
Eddie L. Mustiful,
Complainant,
v.
Mike Johanns,
Secretary,
Department of Agriculture,
Agency.
Request No. 05A60073
Appeal No. 01A53307
Agency No. USDACR-040699
DECISION ON REQUEST TO RECONSIDER
On October 1, 2005, Eddie L. Mustiful (complainant) timely requested
reconsideration of the decision in Eddie L. Mustiful v. Mike Johanns,
Secretary, Department of Agriculture, EEOC Appeal No. 01A53307
(September 8, 2005). EEOC regulations provide that the Commission may,
in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission
decision where the party demonstrates that: (1) the appellate decision
involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law;
or (2) the decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,
practices, or operation of the agency. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b).
The previous decision affirmed the agency's action dismissing
complainant's complaint filed on September 29, 2004, for untimely contact
with an EEO counselor. Complainant contacted an EEO counselor on August
23, 2004, claiming discrimination based on race (black) with regard to
(a) a non-selection in 2000; and (b) a change in the title of his position
from Farm Loan Manager (FLM) to Farm Loan Officer (FLO), in February 2004.
Since both events occurred more than 45 days previous to his EEO counselor
contact, the previous decision found that the agency properly dismissed
his complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2).
In order to merit the reconsideration of a prior decision, the requesting
party must submit written argument that tends to establish that at least
one of the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b) is met. The Commission's
scope of review on a request for reconsideration is narrow and is not
merely a form of a second appeal. Lopez v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05890749 (September 28, 1989); Regensberg v. USPS,
EEOC Request No. 05900850 (September 7, 1990). The Commission finds that
the complainant's request does not meet the regulatory criteria of 29
C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), in that, the request does not identify a clearly
erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, nor does it show that
the underlying decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,
practices or operation of the agency.
In his request, complainant stated that he was not familiar with the time
limitations factor but did not explain why he delayed almost four years
in one complaint and seven months in the other. Instead, he went on to
discuss the merits of his complaint. The record shows, with regard to
(a), that complainant was aware of his co-worker's promotion soon after
the co-worker's designation as FLM-in-charge, i.e., sometime in 2000, and,
with regard to (b), that complainant became aware of his title change when
he received a memorandum on February 11, 2004. We find that the previous
decision properly found that complainant should have reasonably suspected
discrimination and contacted an EEO counselor before August 23, 2004.
After a review of the complainant's request for reconsideration, the
previous decision, and the entire record, the Commission finds that the
request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), and it
is the decision of the Commission to deny the request. The decision
in EEOC Appeal No. 01A53307 remains the Commission's final decision.
There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of
the Commission on the decision of the Commission on this request.
STATEMENT OF COMPLAINANT'S RIGHTS - ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0900)
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 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.
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
____11-11-05______________
Date