01a53649
07-12-2005
Ethel Matthews, Complainant, v. John W. Snow, Secretary, Department of the Treasury, Agency.
Ethel Matthews v. Department of the Treasury
01A53649
July 12, 2005
.
Ethel Matthews,
Complainant,
v.
John W. Snow,
Secretary,
Department of the Treasury,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A53649
Agency No. 05-2183
DECISION
Complainant appeals to the Commission from the agency's April 18, 2005
decision dismissing her complaint. Complainant alleges discrimination on
the bases of race and sex when on October 8, 1998, she was not selected
for one of the eight Computer Specialist, OC-0334-16, positions that had
been advertised under Vacancy Announcement Number 98-104E. The agency
dismissed complainant's complaint for untimely EEO Counselor contact
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2).
Complainant did not initiate EEO Counselor contact until November 22,
2004, which is beyond the 45-day limitation period. The Commission has
consistently held that a complainant must act with due diligence in the
pursuit of his claim, or the doctrine of laches may apply. The doctrine
of laches is an equitable remedy under which an individual's failure to
pursue diligently his course of action could bar his claim. We find
that complainant failed to act with due diligence when she sought EEO
Counselor contact six years after the alleged discriminatory action.
The agency's decision dismissing complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
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
July 12, 2005
__________________
Date