01A11844_r
04-06-2001
Gary Cruz, Complainant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Gary Cruz v. United States Postal Service
01A11844
April 6, 2001
.
Gary Cruz,
Complainant,
v.
William J. Henderson,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A11844
Agency No. 1F-901-0196-00
DECISION
Initially, it is noted that although the agency's decision dated December
4, 2000, dismissed complainant's complaint due to untimely filing of a
formal complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), the Commission
finds that complainant timely filed his formal complaint on October 30,
2000. The record clearly indicates that complainant received the notice
of final interview on October 13, 2000, and the time period for filing
his formal complaint was extended to Monday, October 30, 2000, because
the last day of the filing period fell on Saturday, October 28, 2000.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(d).
Nevertheless, the Commission finds that the agency's decision dismissing
complainant's complaint on the alternative grounds for failure to
state a claim is proper pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1). In his
complaint, complainant alleged that from March 17, 1998 through July
19, 2000, sensitive information was released during his time out of
work and he was given a hard time to submit paperwork per the request
for the Human Resources Specialist. Complainant indicated that his
military records were in his injury Compensation file, most of which were
non-medical documents there were disseminated to non-postal employees and
non-governmental entities without his advance knowledge and permission.
As relief, complainant requested Privacy Act benefits and relief.
On appeal, complainant maintains that the agency violated the Privacy
Act which was enforced under its own regulations. After a review of the
record, since complainant's claim involved the violation of the Privacy
Act, which is outside the purview of the EEO process, the Commission
finds that it fails to state a claim.
Accordingly, the agency's decision is hereby AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0900)
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
April 6, 2001
__________________
Date