[Redacted], Hae T., 1 Complainant,v.Denis R. McDonough, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Feb 22, 2021

Appeal No. 2019005685 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 22, 2021)

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Office of Federal Operations P.O. Box 77960 Washington, DC 20013 Hae T.,1 Complainant, v. Denis R. McDonough, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency. Request No. 2021001189 Appeal No. 2019005685 Agency No. 200P06442013100925 DECISION ON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION Complainant timely requested that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) reconsider its decision in Hae T. v. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. 2019005685 (Sept. 24, 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). In the underlying complaint, Complainant alleged that the Agency subjected her to discrimination based on sex (female) and reprisal (prior protected EEO activity) when: (1) on January 10, 2013, management issued Complainant a performance rating of “Fully Successful,” which was her lowest performance rating, for the period of October 2011 through September 2012; and (2) management subjected Complainant to a hostile work environment by: (a) on August 23, 2012, charging Complainant with absence without leave, (b) on September 18, 2012, detailing Complainant to an Interim Supervisor, GS-7, position without training, (c) on October 19, 2012, failing to select Complainant for a Program Support Specialist (Education Specialist) position, (d) 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. 2021001189 2 on October 22, 2012, constructively forcing Complainant to leave the GS-7 Interim Supervisor position and making her take a demotion to a GS-5 Medical Support Assistant position, and (e) on January 10, 2013, rating Complainant's performance lower than she deserved. In our previous decision, we affirmed the Agency’s final order implementing an AJ’s summary judgment decision. Specifically, we agreed with the AJ that Complainant failed to present evidence to support her assertions that the Agency’s articulated, legitimate non-discriminatory explanations for each employment action were a pretext or otherwise motivated by discriminatory or retaliatory animus. In the instant request for reconsideration, Complainant largely reiterates arguments made and fully considered on appeal. 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), 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. 2019005685 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. 2021001189 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 22, 2021 Date