0120121774
11-14-2012
Debra L. Grant, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Great Lakes Area), Agency.
Debra L. Grant,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Great Lakes Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120121774
Agency No. 4J-606-0022-12
DECISION
Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated February 3, 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. For the following reasons, the Commission AFFIRMS the Agency's final decision.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Letter Carrier at the Agency's Chestnut Post Office in Chicago, Illinois. Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected her to discrimination on the bases of race (unspecified) and color (black) when:
1. On November 7, 2011, Complainant was accused of being a malicious pedophile after taking pictures of her Supervisor's children; and
2. On January 19, 2012, Complainant alleged she received a blow to her back from her Supervisor.1
The Agency dismissed Complainant's complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for failure to state a claim. The Agency determined Complainant failed to allege any loss related to a term, condition, or privilege of employment.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
On appeal, Complainant does not challenge the definition of the complaint as stated in the Agency's final decision.
The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) provides, in relevant part, that an agency shall dismiss a complaint that fails to state a claim. An agency shall accept a complaint from any aggrieved employee or applicant for employment who believes that he or she has been discriminated against by that agency because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disabling condition. 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.103; 106(a). The Commission's federal sector case precedent has long defined an "aggrieved employee" as one who suffers a present harm or loss with respect to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. Diaz v. Department of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). The Commission has repeatedly found that remarks or comments unaccompanied by a concrete agency action are not a direct and personal deprivation sufficient to render an individual aggrieved for the purposes of Title VII. See Backo v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05960227 (June 10, 1996); Henry v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05940695 (February 9, 1995).
Upon review, we find the Agency properly dismissed Complainant's complaint. Specifically, we find the alleged incidents were not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute an actionable claim of harassment. Additionally, with regard to issues (1) and (2), we find Complainant failed to show that she suffered a harm or loss to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. See Rivota v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. 0120102786 (September 21, 2010).
CONCLUSION
Accordingly, the Agency's final decision 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
November 14, 2012
__________________
Date
1 In an attachment to her complaint, Complainant states as she was reaching to get some mail, she received a blow to her back by her Supervisor's hand.
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U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
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