01984488
06-07-1999
Lawrence Battle, Appellant, v. Rodney E. Slater, Secretary, Department of Transportation, Agency.
Lawrence Battle v. Department of Transportation
01984488
June 7, 1999
Lawrence Battle, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01984488
) Agency No. 2-98-2049
Rodney E. Slater, )
Secretary, )
Department of Transportation, )
Agency. )
___________________________________)
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency's decision dated April 23, 1998
dismissing appellant's complaint (defined by the agency as alleging
that appellant's performance appraisal form, covering the period July 1,
1994 - March 31, 1995, had been tampered with, altered, and falsified)
for stating the same claim as previously raised by appellant in 2-98-2040
is proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a). On appeal appellant argues
that the instant complaint was improperly defined. Appellant argues that
he is alleging in the instant complaint that: (1) Persons A and B lowered
appellant's performance rating; (2) Person A administered the appraisal
in violation of FAA Order 3500.7; and (3) the lowered performance rating
deprived appellant of the award associated with a higher rating.
By letter dated March 12, 1998 the agency accepted the following
allegation in 2-98-2040: Appellant's performance appraisal covering
the period July 1, 1994 - March 31, 1995, had been tampered with,
altered, and falsified. The Commission finds that both complaints are
inextricably intertwined and that ultimately both complaints concern
appellant's performance rating for the same time period. Appellant has
not shown how the instant complaint differs in any meaningful way from
the accepted allegation in 2-98-2040. Although appellant challenges
the agency's definition of the accepted allegations in 2-98-2040, that
matter is not before the Commission in the instant appeal.
The agency's decision dismissing the complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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. �l6l4.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0993)
It is the position of the Commission that 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.
You should be aware, however, that courts in some jurisdictions have
interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner suggesting that
a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the
date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your civil action
is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN THIRTY (30)
CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision or to consult
an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the jurisdiction
in which your action would be filed. 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 (Z1092)
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:
June 7, 1999
DATE Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director
Office of Federal Operations