01984869
06-16-1999
Renee L. Blanding, Appellant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Renee L. Blanding v. United States Postal Service
01984869
June 16, 1999
Renee L. Blanding, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01984869
) Agency No. 1-H-304-0056-97
William J. Henderson, )
Postmaster General, )
United States Postal Service, )
Agency. )
)
DECISION
The appellant filed an appeal with this Commission from a final decision,
dated March 5, 1998, which the agency rescinded and superceded by decision
dated June 16, 1998. The agency issued both decisions pursuant to EEOC
Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(b). The Commission accepts the appellant's
appeal in accordance with EEOC Order No. 960, as amended.
The June 16, 1998 final agency decision dismissed the appellant's
complaint on the ground that it was untimely filed on September 4,
1997, more than 15 calendar days after she received her notice of final
interview on July 21, 1997.
On appeal, the appellant acknowledges the untimely filing but contends
that she was prevented from filing for various reasons.
The Commission finds that the appellant has not provided adequate
justification for extending the 15 calendar day time limit for filing
a discrimination complaint. Although the appellant had been injured on
the job and was not working in July 1997, she has not shown that she was
physically or mentally unable to timely file her complaint, particularly
since she was able to travel from Georgia to New York for funeral services
for an uncle on or about July 31, 1997. The appellant also contends that
she left the complaint papers in New York and that they were misplaced
by the owner. The appellant could have filed the complaint before she
left Georgia or, alternatively, she could have kept the papers with her
personal belongings so they could not have been misplaced.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, the Commission AFFIRMS the agency's
dismissal of the appellant's September 4, 1997 complaint.
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. �1614.604(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:
June 16, 1999
______________
Date Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director
Office of Federal Operations