0120113805
11-29-2012
Martin R. Mull, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Headquarters), Agency.
Martin R. Mull,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Headquarters),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120113805
Agency No. 56000000911
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated June 23, 2011, dismissing his 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 Criminal Investigator at the Agency's Office of Inspector General in Vancouver, Washington.
On June 2, 2011, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination and harassment on the basis of reprisal for prior protected EEO activity when: he received and paid an invoice without being advised what it was for; on May 5, 2011, he was informed he had been told that he would receive pay until December 15, 2010, but this did not take place and was a false statement; on May 20, 2011, he confirmed that management would rule on the disciplinary action against him through an Agency 109 hearing; and on May 10, 2011, he was directed to carry out a series of work related activities while not being paid.
On June 23, 2011, the Agency issued a final decision dismissing the complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1) for failure to state a claim. The Agency noted in its decision that Complainant was issued a notice of removal prior to the events at issue and filed an earlier complaint of discrimination on the matter (Agency Case No. 56-000-0008-11). The Agency determined that the instant claims were like and related to that matter and would be addressed in that earlier complaint. Therefore, they dismissed the instant claims because they were also part of the pending complaint in Agency Case No. 56-000-0008-11. Additionally, the Agency found that the claims were too vague and generalized to state a valid claim.
The instant appeal followed. In his appeal, Complainant asserts he did not receive pre-complaint counseling which he argues would have helped resolve any vagueness perceived in his claims.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
As an initial matter, the Agency dismissed the instant complaint on the grounds that Complainant raised the same matter in another complaint (Agency Case No. 56-000-0008-10). The record submitted by the Agency does not contain a copy of that complaint or any other document to support the Agency's decision to dismiss that claim. The Commission finds that the Agency improperly dismissed the complaint for this reason. Clearly, it is the burden of an agency to have evidence or proof in support of its final decision. See Marshall v. Department of the Navy, EEOC Request No. 05910685 (September 6, 1991).
Further, Complainant raises claims regarding being forced to sign an invoice without adequate information, not being paid as promised, and being forced to work without compensation. In doing so, Complainant has alleged an injury or harm to a term, condition, or privilege of employment for which there is a remedy. See Diaz v. Dep't of the Air Force, EEOC Request No. 05931049 (April 21, 1994). Should the Agency seek further clarification of Complainant's claims in the instant complaint, it can do so prior to initiating the investigation.
Accordingly, the Agency's decision is REVERSED and the matter is remanded as set forth below.
ORDER (E0610)
The Agency is ordered to process the remanded claims in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.108. 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
November 29, 2012
__________________
Date
2
0120113805
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120113805