Janice K. Wilson, Complainant,v.Anthony J. Principi, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionJun 24, 2004
01a42182_r (E.E.O.C. Jun. 24, 2004)

01a42182_r

06-24-2004

Janice K. Wilson, Complainant, v. Anthony J. Principi, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.


Janice K. Wilson v. Department of Veterans Affairs

01A42182

June 24, 2004

.

Janice K. Wilson,

Complainant,

v.

Anthony J. Principi,

Secretary,

Department of Veterans Affairs,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01A42182

Agency No. 200R-0527-2003100791

DECISION

The record indicates that complainant filed an appeal from the agency's

decision dated December 31, 2003, finding no discrimination. In her

complaint, complainant, an Office Automation Clerk, alleged that she

was discriminated against based on race (Black), sex (female), and

in reprisal for prior EEO activity when on November 16, 2002, she was

terminated from her temporary appointment.

After a review of the record, the Commission, assuming arguendo that

complainant had established a prima facie case of discrimination, finds

that the agency has articulated legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons

for its termination of complainant's temporary appointment. The agency

stated that complainant's temporary appointment was terminated because

it was expired and could not be extended further. Specifically,

the agency indicated that on October 2, 2001, complainant's initial

temporary appointment of October 2, 2000, was extended for another year

not to exceed October 1, 2002, and she did not qualify for a permanent

appointment thereafter since she unsuccessfully took a required test

twice. The agency also indicated that there were no similarly situated

employees whose temporary appointments were extended.

The Commission also finds that complainant failed to show that the

agency's reasons were pretext for discrimination. Complainant did not

rebut the agency's arguments that its action was nothing more than a

business decision without discriminatory motive. The Commission finds

that complainant failed to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that

she was discriminated against on the bases of race, sex, or reprisal.

The agency's decision finding no discrimination 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

June 24, 2004

__________________

Date