0120100451
05-06-2011
Wayne F. Therrien, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, (Northeast Area), Agency.
Wayne F. Therrien,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
(Northeast Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120100451
Agency No. 1B061001609
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the
Agency's decision dated September 30, 2009, dismissing his complaint
of unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Section 501 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29
U.S.C. � 791 et seq. Upon review, the Commission finds that Complainant's
complaint was properly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1)
for failure to state a claim.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked
as a Mail Handler in Hartford, Connecticut.
On September 8, 2009, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that
the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the basis of disability
(diabetes and stroke) when he was harassed and the Agency's emergency
responders were told to get Complainant well enough so that he could be
removed from the building.
Briefly, Complainant alleges that he became upset because management
officials were doing craft work. As a result, he got into an argument with
management and admitted using curse words. At some point, Complainant
began to have a diabetic reaction and the emergency response team was
called. Complainant was given oxygen and juice and eventually went
home.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
The Commission finds that the complaint fails to state a claim under the
EEOC regulations because complainant failed to show that he suffered harm
or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment
for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Department of the Air Force,
EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). Although complainant claims
to have suffered damages as a result of the incident at issue, the
Commission has held that allegations that fail to state a claim cannot
be converted into a viable claim merely because the complainant requests
compensatory damages as a remedy. Ulanoff v. United States Postal Service,
EEOC Request No. 05950396 (January 26, 1996); Shrader v. Department of
Agriculture, EEOC Appeal No. 01961499 (November 3, 1997).
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's
complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
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), at 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 (S0610)
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 (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
May 6, 2011
__________________
Date
2
010100451
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120100451