[Redacted], Anne C., 1 Complainant,v.Norris Cochran, Acting Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Feb 17, 2021

Appeal No. 201905804 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 17, 2021)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Anne C.,1 Complainant, v. Norris Cochran, Acting Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Agency. Request No. 2021000985 Appeal No. 201905804 Agency No. HHS-OS-0059-2018 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in Anne C. v. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., EEOC Appeal No. 201905804 (Oct. 14, 2020). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission decision issued pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(a), where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c). Complainant, an applicant for employment with the Agency, filed a formal EEO complaint alleging that the Agency discriminated against her on the bases of race (Cherokee Indian, Caucasian, Black American), sex (Female) and age (70) when, on January 30, 2018, she was not referred for the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health (Vacancy No. HHSOASHES2017125). 1 This case has been randomly assigned a pseudonym which will replace Complainant’s name when the decision is published to non-parties and the Commission’s website. 2021000985 2 Following an investigation, the Agency issued a final decision in which it found no discrimination. Complainant appealed, and in the previous decision, the Commission affirmed, finding that Complainant had failed to establish the existence of an unlawful discriminatory motive on the part of anyone involved in the selection process. The Commission emphasizes that a request for reconsideration is not a second appeal. Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), at 9-18 (Aug. 5, 2015); see, e.g., Lopez v. Dep’t of Agric., EEOC Request No. 0520070736 (Aug. 20, 2007). Rather, a reconsideration request is an opportunity to demonstrate that the appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law, or will have a substantial impact on the policies, practices, or operations of the Agency. Complainant has not done so here. She has not presented any argument or evidence tending to establish the existence of either reconsideration criterion. She merely attempts to relitigate her appeal on the merits, raising the same contentions that we considered and rejected in our previous decision. After reviewing the previous decision and the entire record, the Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405(c), and it is the decision of the Commission to DENY the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 201905804 remains the Commission's decision. There is no further right of administrative appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request. COMPLAINANT’S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0610) This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right of administrative appeal from the Commission’s decision. 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. RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0815) If you want to file a civil action but cannot pay the fees, costs, or security to do so, you may request permission from the court to proceed with the civil action without paying these fees or costs. Similarly, if you cannot afford an attorney to represent you in the civil action, you may request the court to appoint an attorney for you. You must submit the requests for waiver of court costs or appointment of an attorney directly to the court, not the Commission. The court has the sole discretion to grant or deny these types of requests. 2021000985 3 Such requests do not alter the time limits for filing a civil action (please read the paragraph titled Complainant’s Right to File a Civil Action for the specific time limits). FOR THE COMMISSION: ______________________________ Carlton M. Hadden’s signature Carlton M. Hadden, Director Office of Federal Operations February 17, 2021 Date