01A10155
08-06-2003
Ernestine Blake, Complainant, v. John W. Snow, Secretary, Department of the Treasury, Agency.
Ernestine Blake v. Department of the Treasury
01A10155
August 6, 2003
.
Ernestine Blake,
Complainant,
v.
John W. Snow,
Secretary,
Department of the Treasury,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A10155
Agency Nos. 98-3214 & 98-3257
DECISION
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405, the Commission accepts the complainant's
appeal from the agency's final decision in the above-entitled matter.
Complainant alleged that the agency discriminated against her on the
basis of reprisal for prior EEO activity when it (1) issued her a notice
of proposed removal in May 1998, (2) issued her a notice of removal in
June 1998, (3) contacted complainant at her residence to retrieve her
personal belongings and surrender her pocket commission and identification
badge, (4) cited falsification of documents on complainant's personnel
action in an attempt to interfere with her future employment, and (5)
discontinued complainant's federal group life insurance coverage.
Complainant filed a mixed case appeal with the Merit Systems Protection
Board (MSPB) regarding claims (1) and (2). In a final order dated
November 3, 2000, the MSPB affirmed the agency's actions at issue in
claims (1) and (2) and found no discrimination. Complainant petitioned
the Commission. In Blake v. Dep't of the Treasury, EEOC Petition
No. 03A10033 (February 28, 2001), the Commission concurred with the
MSPB's finding of no discrimination. Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.107,
.302, an agency shall dismiss a complaint where the complainant has
raised the matter in an appeal to the MSPB. Accordingly, we affirm the
portion of the agency's final decision dismissing claims (1) and (2).
Regarding claims (3), (4) and (5), after a review of the record in its
entirety, it is the decision of the Commission to affirm the agency's
final decision because the preponderance of the evidence of record does
not establish that discrimination occurred. Complainant failed to show
that the agency's actions were motivated by discriminatory factors.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (S0900)
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 (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
August 6, 2003
__________________
Date