01991039
08-26-1999
Patricia D. Lill, Appellant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Patricia D. Lill v. United States Postal Service
01991039
August 26, 1999
Patricia D. Lill, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01991039
) Agency No. 4-H-350-0327-98
William J. Henderson, )
Postmaster General, )
United States Postal Service, )
Agency. )
___________________________________)
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency's decision dated October 14, 1998
dismissing appellant's complaint for untimely EEO Counselor contact is
proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(b). Appellant alleged that she was
discriminated against when in June 1998 a male supervisor, purportedly
"guilty of sexual harassment," received progressive discipline, while
appellant was demoted after being charged one day AWOL. The AWOL charge
against appellant and demotion of appellant occurred in 1995. Appellant
initially contacted an EEO Counselor on July 24, 1998. On appeal
appellant argues that she is not challenging the 1995 actions.
The Commission finds that appellant is indeed challenging the 1995 actions
against her and that her contact of an EEO Counselor approximately three
years after the purported harm occurred to appellant is beyond the 45 day
time limit for contacting an EEO Counselor set forth in �1614.105(a).
The Commission finds that appellant should have reasonably suspected
discrimination at the time of the incidents in 1995, which were more
than 45 days prior to appellant's initial EEO Counselor contact.
Even if we were to adopt appellant's argument that she is only challenging
the actions against a male supervisor in 1998, the Commission finds that
such a claim is properly dismissed pursuant to �1614.107(a) for failing
to state a claim. Such an allegation fails to allege a personal harm
to appellant.
The agency's decision dismissing appellant's 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:
August 26, 1999
DATE Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director
Office of Federal Operations