01A33923
09-29-2003
Lydia Bacio, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Lydia Bacio v. United States Postal Service
01A33923
September 29, 2003
.
Lydia Bacio,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A33923
Agency No. 1F-937-0009-03
DECISION
The Commission finds that the instant complaint was properly dismissed
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) on the grounds that complainant
failed to timely file a complaint. The record contains a notice of
right to file individual complaint that was received by complainant on
April 9, 2003. The notice states that if a complaint is filed, it must
be filed within fifteen days after receipt of the notice. On April 29,
2003, complainant filed an EEO complaint wherein she claimed that she
was discriminated against on the bases of her race (Hispanic), color
(brown), religion (Christian), sex (female), age (dob 4/30/55), national
origin (Hispanic-American), disability (arthritis, tendinitis, migraine
headaches), and in reprisal for her previous EEO activity under Title VII,
the Rehabilitation Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act when:
(1) on September 16, 2002, she was notified that she would become an
unassigned regular effective September 21, 2002; (2) on an unspecified
date, her schedule was changed from 0400 -1230 to 2400 - 0830; and (3)
on an unspecified date, she was excessed off of Tour II.
The agency dismissed the complaint on the grounds that complainant failed
to file the complaint in a timely manner. The agency determined that
complainant's complaint was not filed within the 15-day filing period.
We agree with the agency. Complainant received the notice of right
to file individual complaint on April 9, 2003. Complainant needed to
file the complaint no later than April 24, 2003, but instead she filed
the complaint on April 29, 2003, after the expiration of the 15-day
filing period.
Accordingly, the agency's dismissal of the complaint was proper and
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
September 29, 2003
__________________
Date