0120093046
01-08-2010
Sandra Banks, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Sandra Banks,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120093046
Agency No. 1H-351-0023-09
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from a final
agency decision dated June 16, 2009, dismissing her complaint of unlawful
employment discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq. and
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended,
29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.
In a formal EEO complaint, complainant alleged that the agency
discriminated against her on the bases of race (African-American), sex
(female), age (over 40), and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity
when, on December 12, 2008, the agency issued her a Notice of Removal
and, on December 17, 2008, it placed her on administrative leave pending
termination. Complainant requested damages.
In its June 16 final decision, the agency dismissed complainant's
complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for failure to state
a claim. Specifically, the agency stated, "through the grievance process
[complainant was] reinstated and made whole." The agency included an
arbitration panel award supporting its contention. The instant appeal
from complainant followed. On appeal, complainant reiterated that she
seeks compensatory damages, stating that she incurred late charges and
fees for bills she was unable to pay while removed and that she suffered
emotional distress. Further, complainant stated that the agency has
not made her whole because she has not received back-pay and will incur
a higher tax rate if she receives such pay.
We find the agency improperly dismissed complainant's complaint for
failure to state a claim. The Commission determines that the instant
complaint is more properly analyzed in terms of whether the claims have
been rendered moot. The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(5)
provides for the dismissal of a complaint when the issues raised therein
are moot. To determine whether the issues raised in complainant's
complaint are moot, the fact-finder must ascertain whether (1) it can
be said with assurance that there is no reasonable expectation that
the alleged violation will recur; and (2) interim relief or events
have completely and irrevocably eradicated the effects of the alleged
discrimination. See County of Los Angeles v. Davis, 440 U.S. 625, 631
(1979); Kuo v. Dep't of the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05970343 (July 10,
1998). When such circumstances exist, no relief is available and no need
for a determination of the rights of the parties is presented.
Here, complainant seeks compensatory damages; hence, the agency should
have requested that complainant provide some objective proof of the
alleged damages incurred, as well as objective evidence linking those
damages to the adverse actions at issue. See Allen v. U. S. Postal
Service, EEOC Request No. 05970672 (June 11, 1998); Benton v. Dep't
of Defense, EEOC Appeal No. 01932422 (December 10, 1993). As the
agency failed to address the issue of compensatory damages, we find
that dismissal on the ground of mootness is improper. See Estate of
Rouston v. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, EEOC Request
No. 05970388 (March 18, 1999). Based on the above, we find that the
agency improperly dismissed complainant's complaint pursuant to 29
C.F.R. � 1614.107(a).
ORDER (E0408)
The agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with
29 C.F.R. � 1614.108. The agency shall acknowledge to the complainant
that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar
days of the date this decision becomes final. The agency shall issue
to complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify
complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150)
calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter
is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the complainant requests a
final decision without a hearing, the agency shall issue a final decision
within sixty (60) days of receipt of complainant's request.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgment to complainant and a
copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of
rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K1208)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.
The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar
days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall
be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington,
DC 20013. The agency's report must contain supporting documentation,
and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to the complainant.
If the agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the complainant
may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. �
1614.503(a). The complainant also has the right to file a civil action
to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following
an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407,
1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the complainant
has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in
accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File A Civil
Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for
enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject
to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999).
If the complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of
the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M1208)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the complainant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish 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.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, must be filed
with the Office of Federal Operations (OFO) within thirty (30) calendar
days of receipt of this decision or within twenty (20) calendar days of
receipt of another party's timely request for reconsideration. See 29
C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for
29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), 9-18 (November 9, 1999). All requests
and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960,
Washington, DC 20013. In the absence of a legible postmark, the request
to reconsider shall be deemed timely filed if it is received by mail
within five days of the expiration of the applicable filing period.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604. The request or opposition must also include
proof of service on the other party.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances
prevented the timely filing of the request. 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).
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (R0408)
This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative
processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil
action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United
States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date
that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a
civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date
you filed your complaint with the agency, or filed your appeal with the
Commission. 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. Filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1008)
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 from the Court that
the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also
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 with
the Court 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:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
January 8, 2010
__________________
Date
2
0120093046
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
4
0120093046