0520110390
10-14-2011
Sharon Oakes, Complainant, v. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.
Sharon Oakes,
Complainant,
v.
Eric K. Shinseki,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.
Request No. 0520110390
Appeal No. 0120110237
Agency No. 200H-0581-2010-104204
DENIAL
Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in Sharon
Oakes v. Department of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. 0120110237
(February 15, 2011). EEOC Regulations provide that the Commission may,
in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any previous Commission
decision 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(b).
In our previous decision, the Commission affirmed the Agency’s
dismissal of Complainant’s hostile work environment claim on the basis
that it failed to state a claim. In her request for reconsideration,
Complainant submits statements from physicians that support her claim
that she suffered anxiety and stress because of the alleged harassment.
However, as determined in our previous decision, the alleged actions of
harassment are not severe or pervasive enough to constitute a hostile work
environment; Complainant’s complaint therefore fails to state a claim.
Consequently, after reconsidering 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(b), and it is the decision of the Commission
to DENY the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120110237 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 (Z0610)
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
October 14, 2011
Date
2
0520110390
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0520110390