0120120769
04-13-2012
Cotrina M. Jones, Complainant, v. Hilda L. Solis, Secretary, Department of Labor, Agency.
Cotrina M. Jones,
Complainant,
v.
Hilda L. Solis,
Secretary,
Department of Labor,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120120769
Agency No. CRC1104144
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated November 3, 2011, 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 Lead Immigration Program Analyst at the Agency's Office of Foreign Labor Certification in Atlanta, Georgia.
On June 10, 2011, Complainant initiated EEO counseling and, on September 27, 2011, filed a formal EEO complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the bases of race (African-American) and reprisal for prior protected EEO activity under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when she was not selected for the position of Certifying Officer, GS-14.
According to the complaint and related EEO counselor's report, on February 18, 2011, Complainant was told she was one of the top five candidates for the position in question. However, on March 22, 2011, she was informed that she was not selected. Complainant learned another employee was selected for the position. Complainant filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and later received confirmation that she was included on the February 18, 2011 Certificate of Eligibles, but was not contacted for an interview. The Commission notes that in her submissions to the Agency with her informal complaint, Complainant stated she knew on March 23, 2011, that she had not been called in for an interview although she had been one of the top referrals.
The Agency dismissed the complaint, pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for untimely EEO Counselor contact. The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
EEOC Regulation 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(a)(1) requires that complaints of discrimination should be brought to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor within forty-five (45) days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory or, in the case of a personnel action, within forty-five (45) days of the effective date of the action. The Commission has adopted a "reasonable suspicion" standard (as opposed to a "supportive facts" standard) to determine when the forty-five (45) day limitation period is triggered. See Howard v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05970852 (February 11, 1999). Thus, the time limitation is not triggered until a complainant reasonably suspects discrimination, but before all the facts that support a charge of discrimination have become apparent.
The record discloses that the alleged discriminatory event occurred on no later than March 23, 2011, but Complainant did not initiate contact with an EEO Counselor until June 10, 2011, which is well beyond the forty-five (45) day limitation period. On appeal, Complainant has presented no persuasive arguments or evidence warranting an extension of the time limit for initiating EEO Counselor contact. Rather, she argues that the Agency violated the collective bargaining agreement by not interviewing her. This goes to the merits of her complaint and not the timeliness of her filing. Complainant conceded in her submissions during counseling that she was aware, as of March 23, 2011, that she had not been called for an interview despite being one of the top referrals. This was sufficient information to trigger a reasonable suspicion of discrimination. She did not need to wait to seek EEO counseling to further confirm this fact through a FOIA request.
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
April 13, 2012
__________________
Date
2
0120120769
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120120769