Yvonne Posey, Complainant,v.Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionNov 20, 2002
01a05030 (E.E.O.C. Nov. 20, 2002)

01a05030

11-20-2002

Yvonne Posey, Complainant, v. Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, Agency.


Yvonne Posey v. Department of Health and Human Services

01A05030

11-20-02

.

Yvonne Posey,

Complainant,

v.

Tommy G. Thompson,

Secretary,

Department of Health and Human Services,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01A05030

Agency No. FDA 124-95

Hearing No. 310-A0-5002X

DECISION

Yvonne Posey (hereinafter referred to as complainant) filed a timely

appeal from the June 30, 2000, final decision of the Department of Health

and Human Services (hereinafter referred to as the agency) concerning a

complaint of unlawful employment discrimination in violation of Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.

The appeal is timely filed (see 29 C.F.R. � 1614.402(a)) and is accepted

in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405.

Complainant claimed discrimination based on race (black), sex, and

reprisal. Following an investigation, complainant requested a hearing

before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ), who issued a decision without

a hearing dated May 2, 2000, and it was implemented by the agency.<1>

In her complaint, complainant claimed discrimination when (a) the agency

terminated a co-worker (E1) in order to label her a �trouble maker;� (b)

she was placed on AWOL (later changed to LWOP); and (c) her evaluation

was based on the perception of others. The agency stated that E1,

in fact, voluntarily resigned from the agency; that complainant was

placed initially on AWOL, because she did not follow proper procedures

to request leave; and that the subject appraisal was based on input from

staff that had supervised complainant during the year.

On appeal, complainant complains that she has been confused about her

rights; however, our review of the record shows that she, or her lawyer,

was duly and timely notified by the agency and the AJ of her rights

and responsibilities. We note that it was complainant's obligation to

keep the agency and the Commission informed of any change in her address.

29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(b)(1). After a thorough examination of the record,

including statements and arguments not addressed herein, we find that

the Administrative Judge's issuance of a decision without a hearing was

appropriate, and the preponderance of the evidence of record does not

establish that discrimination occurred.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the agency's decision was proper and 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

_____11-20-02_____________

Date

1Complainant sought to consolidate other pending complaints before the

AJ; however, the requested information was submitted untimely and after

issuance of the AJ's decision, even though counsel had indicated that it

had been sent in late April. In addition, we note that the complaints

referenced by complainant for consolidation appear to concern mixed-case

complaints, not properly before an AJ.