0120103658
01-25-2011
George S. Suarez, Complainant, v. Gary Locke, Secretary, Department of Commerce, (Bureau of the Census), Agency.
George S. Suarez,
Complainant,
v.
Gary Locke,
Secretary,
Department of Commerce,
(Bureau of the Census),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120103658
Agency No. 10-63-01743D
DECISION
Upon review, we find that the Agency's decision dated August 31, 2010,
dismissing Complainant's complaint for failure to state a claim is proper
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a)(1). The Agency's decision dismissing
the complaint is AFFIRMED.
BACKGROUND
In his complaint, dated June 23, 2010, Complainant, a former Enumerator,
with the Hudson County South Local Census Office, New York Regional Census
alleged discrimination based on race (Hispanic), color (not specified),
and sex (male) when his crew leader called him "the hooligan of the
group" and "the hooligan of the training" in front of his supervisor
and coworkers on May 13, 2010.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The Commission has consistently held that a remark or comment
unaccompanied by concrete action is not a direct and personal deprivation
sufficient to render an individual aggrieved for the purposes of
Title VII. Henry v. USPS, EEOC Request No. 05940695 (February 9, 1995).
Upon review, we find that the alleged remark, in itself, failed to state a
claim within the purview of the regulations. Although Complainant claimed
that the alleged remark constituted harassment, we do not find that the
alleged derogatory remark on one isolated incident was sufficiently severe
or pervasive to alter the conditions of his employment such as to state a
claim of harassment. See Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17,
21 (1993); Cobb v. Department of the Treasury, EEOC Request No. 05970077
(March 13, 1997).
It is noted that Complainant raises a new incident on appeal for the
first time that he was terminated from his position on June 13, 2010,
for lack of work. The record clearly indicates that Complainant did
not allege the same in his complaint at issue. Complainant is hereby
advised to contact an EEO Counselor if he wishes to pursue this matter
within the EEO complaint process. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105.
Accordingly, the Agency's decision dismissing Complainant's complaint
is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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), at 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 (S0610)
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 (Z0610)
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
1/25/11
__________________
Date
2
0120103658
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013