0120122951
12-13-2012
Eda A. Woodward, Complainant, v. Leon E. Panetta, Secretary, Department of Defense (Defense Commissary Agency), Agency.
Eda A. Woodward,
Complainant,
v.
Leon E. Panetta,
Secretary,
Department of Defense
(Defense Commissary Agency),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120122951
Agency No. DeCA-00131-2012
DECISION
On July 10, 2012, Complainant filed an appeal with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) from a final Agency decision (FAD) dated May 21, 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. and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.1
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as a Supervisory Store Associate, GS-7, and then a Store Associate, GS-4, at the Agency's Cannon Air Force Base Commissary in New Mexico.
On or about May 8, 2012, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that she was discriminated against based on her sex (female) and age (51 & 52) when:
1. On February 23, 2011, her supervisor made a false statement of her Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Program (OWCP) Federal Employee's Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation form CA-1, and
2. She received a decision letter on January 12, 2012, demoting her from GS-7 to GS-4, effective February 12, 2012.
The Agency dismissed the complaint for failure to timely initiate EEO counseling. It reasoned that Complainant initiated contact with an EEO counselor on April 17, 2012, beyond the 45 calendar day time limit.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
An aggrieved person must seek EEO counseling within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory action, or in the case of a personnel action, within 45 days of the effective date of the action. 29 C.F.R. � 1614.105(a)(1) & .107(a)(2). Complainant delayed beyond the 45 calendar day time limit. In the FAD the Agency noted Complainant provided no justification for her untimely EEO contact, and on appeal she makes no comment.
The FAD 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
December 13, 2012
__________________
Date
1 We deem the appeal to be timely because the appeal rights in the FAD contained an address for filing an appeal to the EEOC which was several years out of date.
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
2
0120122951
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120122951