01A14133_r
08-13-2002
Joyce Hazelwood, Complainant, v. Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary, Department of Defense, (Defense Finance & Accounting Service), Agency.
Joyce Hazelwood v. Department of Defense
01A14133
August 13, 2002
.
Joyce Hazelwood,
Complainant,
v.
Donald H. Rumsfeld,
Secretary,
Department of Defense,
(Defense Finance & Accounting Service),
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A14133
Agency No. DFAS-DE-SANB-01-015
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that the complaint was improperly
dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state
a claim and pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) on the grounds of
untimely EEO Counselor contact
On February 21, 2001, complainant initiated EEO Counselor contact,
claiming that she had been discriminated against on the bases of race,
sex, age, disability, and in reprisal for prior protected activity when,
between the period of January 1997 and March 5, 2001, notifications of
personnel action forms (SF 50) incorrectly reflected her educational
level as �04" instead of �14" in spite of extensive documentation in
her records supporting a code �14.� Subsequently, complainant filed
a formal complaint concerning this issue. Complainant further claimed
that on January 14, 2001, she became aware for the first time that the
number �04" denoted an educational level that was equivalent to a high
school graduate. Complainant claimed that due to this error, she has
been continuously denied promotions and advancement opportunities.
The agency issued a final decision dismissing the complaint for untimely
EEO Counselor contact and for failure to state a claim.
The only proper questions in determining whether a claim is within
the purview of the EEO process are (1) whether the complainant is
an aggrieved employee and (2) whether she has alleged employment
discrimination covered by the EEO statutes. An employee is "aggrieved"
if he has suffered direct and personal deprivation at the hands of the
employer. See Hobson v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05891133
(March 2, 1990). Here, complainant alleged that the agency improperly
coded a personnel action form, incorrectly reflecting her education code,
thereby causing her denied promotions and advancement opportunities.
Complainant's claim is sufficient to render her an aggrieved employee.
Because complainant has alleged that the adverse action was based on
sex, age, disability, and in reprisal for prior protected activity,
she has raised a claim within the purview of the EEOC regulations.
We also reject the agency's alternative grounds of dismissal for untimely
EEO Counselor contact. Complainant claimed that she initially became
aware on January 14, 2001, that the �04" code denoted an educational
level that was equivalent to a high school graduate. We are persuaded
by complainant's assertions, and find that her initial EEO Counselor
contact of February 21, 2001, was timely with regard to the matters
raised in the instant complaint.
The agency's dismissal of the instant complaint is therefore REVERSED.
Complainant's complaint is REMANDED to the agency for further processing
in accordance with the ORDER below.
ORDER (E0900)
The agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with
29 C.F.R. � 1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the complainant
that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar
days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall issue
to complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify
complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150)
calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter
is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the complainant requests a
final decision without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision
within sixty (60) days of receipt of complainant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgment to complainant and a
copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of
rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0501)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.
The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30)
calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The
report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The agency's report must contain supporting
documentation, and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to
the complainant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the complainant may petition the Commission for enforcement
of the order. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(a). The complainant also has the
right to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's
order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement.
See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407, 1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g).
Alternatively, the complainant has the right to file a civil action on
the underlying complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled
"Right to File A Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408.
A civil action for enforcement or a civil action on the underlying
complaint is subject to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c)
(1994 & Supp. IV 1999). If the complainant files a civil action, the
administrative processing of the complaint, including any petition for
enforcement, will be terminated. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.
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 (R0900)
This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative
processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil
action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United
States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date
that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a
civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date
you filed your complaint with the agency, or filed your appeal with the
Commission. 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. 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 13, 2002
__________________
Date