01994985
01-08-2001
Kellie Y. Gallegos, Complainant, v. Bruce Babbitt, Secretary, Department of the Interior, Agency.
Kellie Y. Gallegos v. Department of the Interior
01994985
January 8, 2001
.
Kellie Y. Gallegos,
Complainant,
v.
Bruce Babbitt,
Secretary,
Department of the Interior,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01994985
Agency No. BIA99028
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely
EEO Counselor contact. On February 16, 1999, complainant filed an EEO
complaint claiming she was the victim of discrimination in reprisal for
prior EEO activity (unknown) when:
In a letter dated October 27, 1998, complainant was denied leave for
November 2, 1998 through November 6, 1998, and she was placed on absent
without leave (AWOL) effective November 2, 1998 and continuing.
In a letter dated November 23, 1998, complainant's supervisor directed
complainant to report to work on November 25, 1998, and informed
complainant that she would be absent without approved leave until such
time complainant reported to work.
Complainant was issued a letter of reprimand dated November 25, 1998,
for not reporting to work.
The record discloses that complainant should have had a reasonable
suspicion of discrimination by November 25, 1998, but complainant did
not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until January 14, 1999,
which is beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period. On appeal,
no persuasive arguments or evidence have been presented to warrant
an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact.
Accordingly, the agency's final decision dismissing complainant's
complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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
January 8, 2001
__________________
Date