Evelyn Hernandez, Complainant,v.Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionMar 20, 2008
0120064527 (E.E.O.C. Mar. 20, 2008)

0120064527

03-20-2008

Evelyn Hernandez, Complainant, v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Agency.


Evelyn Hernandez,

Complainant,

v.

Michael J. Astrue,

Commissioner,

Social Security Administration,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01200645271

Agency No. 03-0278-SSA (NY-03-0268)

DECISION

On August 2, 2006, complainant filed an appeal from the agency's July

14, 2006, final decision concerning her equal employment opportunity

(EEO) complaint alleging 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. The appeal is deemed

timely and is accepted for the Commission's de novo review pursuant to

29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a).

At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, complainant worked

as a Claims Specialist, GS-11, at the agency's Mineola, New York Field

Office in Mineola, New York. On May 2, 2003, complainant filed an EEO

complaint alleging that she was discriminated against on the bases of

race (Hispanic), national origin (Puerto Rican), age (D.O.B. 07/26/48),

and in reprisal for prior protected EEO activity arising under Title

VII when she was subjected to a hostile work environment and disparate

treatment. Complainant claimed that on February 6, 2003, she reported

that a claimant had threatened her life and management's response was

that she had misunderstood the claimant; management showed no regard for

her physical health or safety; and management's report on the incident

was written inaccurately and in a derogatory manner.

At the conclusion of the investigation, complainant was provided with a

copy of the report of investigation and notice of her right to request

a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). When complainant

did not request a hearing within the time frame provided in 29 C.F.R. �

1614.108(f), the agency issued a final decision pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �

1614.110(b). The decision concluded that complainant failed to prove

that she was subjected to discrimination as alleged.

After a thorough review of the record, in the absence of any argument

submitted by the complainant in support of her appeal, we find that

the agency's conclusion that complainant has not shown that she was

discriminated against based on her age, national origin, race or in

reprisal for prior protected EEO activity was correct, and we AFFIRM

the agency's finding of no discrimination.

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

3-20-08

__________________

Date

1 Due to a new Commission data system, this case has been redesignated

with the above-referenced appeal number.

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2

0120064527

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P. O. Box 19848

Washington, D.C. 20036

3

0120064527