01a13020_r
10-23-2001
Sharon S. Jefferson, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Sharon S. Jefferson v. United States Postal Service
01A13020
October 23, 2001
.
Sharon S. Jefferson,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A13020
Agency No. 4G-700-0012-01
DISMISSAL OF APPEAL
On March 15, 2001, complainant filed an appeal with this Commission
from the agency's decision dated February 14, 2001, which amended its
February 12, 2001 decision, dismissing her complaint. EEOC Regulation 29
C.F.R. � 1614.409 provides that filing a civil action under � 1614.407
or � 1614.408 shall terminate Commission processing of the appeal.
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.407(d) provides that a complainant
may file a civil action in United States District Court after 180 days
from the date of filing an appeal with the Commission, if there has
been no final decision by the Commission. The record indicates that
on May 21, 2001, complainant filed a civil action, Case No. 01-1543, in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Therein, complainant raised the same claim as that raised in the instant
complaint, i.e., concerning her being subjected to sexual harassment on
May 13, 2000. It is noted that while complainant's civil action was filed
prior to the expiration of the 180-day period, her appeal, nevertheless,
should be dismissed in view of the Commission's long-standing practice
of conserving resources and avoiding the potential for inconsistent or
conflicting decisions. See Posey v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Appeal
No. 01951777 (September 21, 1995). Accordingly, complainant's appeal
is hereby DISMISSED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. 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 (S0900)
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. 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 (Z1199)
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:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
October 23, 2001
__________________
Date