01A12823_r
12-05-2001
Thomas J. Sims, Complainant, v. Dr. James G. Roche, Secretary, Department of the Air Force, Agency.
Thomas J. Sims v. Department of the Air Force
01A12823
December 5, 2001
.
Thomas J. Sims,
Complainant,
v.
Dr. James G. Roche,
Secretary,
Department of the Air Force,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A12823
Agency No. 5K0M0017
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from an agency
decision dated March 12, 2001, dismissing his 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. In his
complaint, complainant alleged that he was subjected to discrimination
on the bases of race (African-American), color (black), and in reprisal
for prior protected activity when:
Complainant received a low mid-term performance appraisal;
Racist cartoons were found in the Security Forces Squadron;
On May 16, 2000, complainant received a low appraisal for the period April
1, 1999, through March 21, 2000. Complainant's Within Grade Increase
(WGI) was delayed from April 23, 2000, until July 16, 2000; and
Complainant was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from May
16, 2000, until July 17, 2000.
Upon review of the record we find that the agency properly dismissed
complainant's complaint. The record reveals that complainant filed an
appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) dated October 30,
2000, in which he alleged that the agency discriminated against him
when it issued him the May 16, 2000 appraisal and subsequently withheld
his WGI and placed him on a PIP. The Commission finds that the issues
of the low mid-term performance appraisal and the existence of racist
cartoons at the agency are related to and/or inextricably intertwined with
the matters raised in the MSPB appeal. Thus, we find that complainant's
complaint is properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(4),
for raising the same matters in an appeal to the MSPB.
Accordingly, the agency's decision dismissing complainant's complaint
is AFFIRMED.
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
December 5, 2001
__________________
Date