0120122561
10-03-2012
Cindy T. Dack, Complainant, v. John M. McHugh, Secretary, Department of the Army, Agency.
Cindy T. Dack,
Complainant,
v.
John M. McHugh,
Secretary,
Department of the Army,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120122561
Agency No. ARFTLWOOD11DEC05426
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated April 10, 2012, dismissing her 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.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Director of Religious Education in the Garrison Chaplain's Office in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
On March 14, 2012, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the bases of sex (female), religion (Methodist), disability, age (56), and reprisal when:
* on December 1, 2011, she received a Senior System Civilian Evaluation Report that had a rating of 4 given by her senior rater (male; Lutheran); and
* around December 1, 2011, she received the results of an 15-6 investigation regarding the authorization of purchases she made while using her government purchase card that she did not agree with.
On April 10, 2012, the Agency issued a final decision dismissing the complaint for raising the same claims in a grievance that allows for claims of discrimination to be raised.
The instant appeal followed. On appeal, Complainant argues that the collective bargaining agreement precludes filing grievances over discrimination issues, citing to Article 11.
In response to Complainant's appeal, the Agency states that it does not oppose the appeal and that the Commission should remand the matter for further processing. However, the Agency states only the claim relating to the evaluation should be remanded. The Agency admits that the CBA does exclude allegations of discrimination. The Agency now argues that the complaint fails to state a claim regarding the other issues and challenges the bases of age and disability. The Agency also challenges the basis of reprisal asserting Complainant is alleging retaliation due to the filing of multiple grievances rather than protected EEO activity.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. �1614.301 requires that where a person is employed by an agency subject to 5 U.S.C. � 7121(d) and is covered by a collective bargaining agreement that permits allegations of discrimination to be raised in the negotiated grievance procedure, an election must be made to proceed under either the negotiated grievance procedure or the EEO complaint procedure but not both.
In this case, the Agency has conceded on appeal that its grievance process does not permit claims of discrimination. Therefore, it does not challenge the appeal and requests that the complaint be remanded for further processing.
To the extent that the Agency challenges the acceptance of the bases of age, disability and reprisal, the Agency's reasons for excluding these bases goes to the merits of the matter, not whether they state a claim. As such, the entire complaint is remanded for further processing.
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision dismissing Complainant's complaint is REVERSED. The entire complaint is hereby REMANDED to the Agency for further processing in accordance with this decision and the Order below.
ORDER (E0610)
The Agency is ordered to process the remanded claims (evaluation and 15-6 investigation on the bases of gender, religion, age, disability and reprisal) in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108 et seq. The Agency shall acknowledge to the Complainant that it has received the remanded claims within thirty (30) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final. The Agency shall issue to Complainant a copy of the investigative file and also shall notify Complainant of the appropriate rights within one hundred fifty (150) calendar days of the date this decision becomes final, unless the matter is otherwise resolved prior to that time. If the Complainant requests a final decision without a hearing, the Agency shall issue a final decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of Complainant's request.
A copy of the Agency's letter of acknowledgment to Complainant and a copy of the notice that transmits the investigative file and notice of rights must be sent to the Compliance Officer as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0610)
Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory. The Agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington, DC 20013. The Agency's report must contain supporting documentation, and the Agency must send a copy of all submissions to the Complainant. If the Agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the Complainant may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(a). The Complainant also has the right to file a civil action to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407, 1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the Complainant has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File a Civil Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999). If the Complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.
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 (R0610)
This is a decision requiring the Agency to continue its administrative processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date you filed your complaint with the Agency, or filed your appeal with the Commission. 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. 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
October 3, 2012
__________________
Date
2
0120122561
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120122561