0120082731
08-06-2008
Michael J. Ballard, Complainant, v. Mary E. Peters, Secretary, Department of Transportation, Agency.
Michael J. Ballard,
Complainant,
v.
Mary E. Peters,
Secretary,
Department of Transportation,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120082731
Agency No. 2008-21931-FAA-04
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the agency's
decision dated April 30, 2008, dismissing his complaint of unlawful
employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.
In a complaint dated April 9, 2008, complainant alleged that he was
subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex (male) when he was advised
on two occasions by a Front Line Manager that articles of clothing he was
wearing violated the "business casual" standard established by the new FAA
dress code, while similarly situated female employees were allowed to wear
those items. The items in question were a winter coat (on January 10,
2008) and a pair of camouflage-patterned cargo pants (on February 20,
2008). The agency dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim.
Here, the complaint fails to state a claim under the EEOC regulations
because complainant has not alleged facts that, if proven true, would
show that he suffered harm or loss with respect to a term, condition,
or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. See Diaz
v. Department of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21,
1994). While complainant argues that the agency might discipline him
in the future if it is determined that he repeatedly reported for duty
inappropriately dressed, this speculation is insufficient to allege
present harm. He has not alleged that he was disciplined or suffered any
other adverse consequence as a result of the incidents in question. Upon
review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was properly
dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a) (1) for failure to state a
claim. Accordingly, the agency's final decision dismissing complainant's
complaint is AFFIRM
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0408)
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 (S0408)
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 (Z0408)
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 6, 2008
Date
2
0120082731
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P. O. Box 19848
Washington, D.C. 20036
3
0120082731