[Redacted], Damion M., 1 Complainant,v.Christine Wormuth, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Jan 4, 2023

Appeal No. 2021001727 (E.E.O.C. Jan. 4, 2023)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Damion M.,1 Complainant, v. Christine Wormuth, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency. Request No. 2022004599 Appeal No. 2021001727 Hearing No. 420-2020-00172X Agency No. ARRUCKER19JUN02302 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in EEOC Appeal No. 2021001727 (July 28, 2022). 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). At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, GS-11, at the Agency’s Fort Rucker Garrison Safety Office in Fort Rucker, Alabama. On August 15, 2019, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency discriminated against him on the bases of sex (male) and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when: 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. 2022004599 2 a. On or about May 22, 2019, Complainant received a counseling memorandum from his supervisor (S1) for missing the Change of Command In Progress Review meeting and the Monday morning meeting. b. On May 23, 2019, S1 angrily told Complainant the reports were not correct and marked up the Safety Occupational and Health Inspection (Beaver Lake) report and returned them to Complainant for corrections multiple times finding new corrections each time. c. On June 6, 2019, S1 counseled Complainant for not updating the Freedom Festival slides. d. On August 15, 2019, Complainant received a counseling memorandum from S1 for leaving the office on August 7, 2019, after a hostile exchange and argument ensued between S1 and a Program Support Assistant (CW1). Following an investigation, Complainant requested a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). The assigned AJ issued a summary judgment decision, finding no discrimination or unlawful retaliation was established. The Agency then issued a final order implement the AJ’s decision. Complainant appealed. In EEOC Appeal No. 2021001727, the Commission affirmed the Agency’s final order which implement the AJ’s summary judgment decision finding no discrimination or unlawful retaliation. In the instant request for reconsideration, nothing that Complainant has submitted supports a determination that the prior decision affirming the Agency final order was in error. A request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to the Commission. Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), Chap. 9 § VI.A (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. 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. 2021001727 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. 2022004599 3 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. 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 January 04, 2023 Date