01981197
03-19-1999
Ozie L. Ryals, Appellant, v. William J. Henderson, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Ozie L. Ryals v. United States Postal Service
01981197
March 19, 1999
Ozie L. Ryals, )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01981197
) Agency No. 1-A-072-1027-96
William J. Henderson, )
Postmaster General, )
United States Postal Service, )
Agency. )
)
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency's November 4, 1997 decision
dismissing appellant's complaint on the basis that appellant failed to
file his formal complaint of discrimination within the 15-calendar day
time limit provided by 29 C.F.R. �1614.106(b) is not proper.
The record shows that on August 20, 1996, the agency sent the notice
of the right to file a formal complaint to appellant by certified mail.
The certified mail return receipt on record shows that it was received
and signed for at appellant's address on "August 21". The notice advised
appellant that he had the right to file a complaint of discrimination
within 15 calendar days of his receipt of the notice. Appellant's formal
complaint was postmarked October 20, 1997. The agency issued a final
decision on October 29, 1997, and a second final decision on November
4, 1997. In its November 4, 1997 decision, the agency dismissed the
complaint on the basis that appellant had failed to file his formal
complaint within the 15-calendar day time limit provided by EEOC
Regulations.
On appeal, appellant contends that he did in fact file a formal
complaint of discrimination on September 3, 1996. Moreover, he provides
a copy of the June 7, 1997 E-mail message that he sent to the agency's
EEO specialist, in which he specifically mentions the dates in 1996,
in which he inquired about the processing of his complaint. Appellant
further contends that after being told in 1996, on at least two separate
occasions, that the agency was processing his complaint, in July 1997,
the agency informed his representative that no complaint had been received
on appellant's behalf. On appeal, the agency contends that while appellant
claims that he filed his formal complaint of discrimination on September
3, 1996, "neither he nor his representative at the time, made any contact
with the EEO office to determine the status of his complaint until his
June 7, 1997 letter".
The Commission has held that where there is an issue of timeliness, the
agency always bears the burden of obtaining sufficient information to
support a reasoned determination as to timeliness. Williams v. Department
of Defense, EEOC Request No. 05920506 (August 25, 1992). Concerning
appellant's complaint, the agency has not met its burden. We find that
there is not sufficient evidence in the record to enable the Commission
to determine whether appellant did, in fact, file a formal complaint of
discrimination on September 3, 1996. Accordingly, the agency's final
decision is VACATED and the complaint is REMANDED for a supplemental
investigation on the issue of whether a formal complaint was filed or
not.
ORDER
The agency is ORDERED to conduct a supplemental investigation regarding
appellant's claim that he did file a formal complaint of discrimination
on September 3, 1996. Within sixty (60) days of the date this decision
becomes final, the agency shall contact appellant and allow him to provide
a written statement providing the date he allegedly filed the complaint
as well as the name(s) and title(s) of any agency official(s) who might
have received his complaint, if personally delivered, or any evidence
of postmark that appellant might have in his possession. The agency
will then provide affidavits from the appropriate agency officials.
If during the course of the supplemental investigation the agency
finds that appellant did not file a complaint, it shall then issue
a final decision dismissing the complaint and will provide appellant
with all relevant information concerning his appeal rights. However,
if during the course of its supplemental investigation the agency becomes
aware that appellant did in fact timely file a complaint, it shall then
process the complaint pursuant to the provisions of 29 C.F.R.�1614.108.
A copy of the agency's letter of acknowledgment to appellant and/or a
copy of the final agency decision must be sent to the Compliance officer
as referenced below.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K0595)
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 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The agency's report must contain supporting
documentation, and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to
the appellant. If the agency does not comply with the Commission's
order, the appellant may petition the Commission for enforcement of
the order. 29 C.F.R. �1614.503 (a). The appellant 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. �� 1614.408, 1614.409, and 1614.503 (g). Alternatively,
the appellant 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. �� 1614.408 and 1614.409. 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) (Supp. V 1993). If the
appellant files a civil action, the administrative processing of the
complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.
See 29 C.F.R. �1614.410.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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. �l6l4.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (R0993)
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. It is the position of the Commission that 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. You should be aware, however, that courts in some
jurisdictions have interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner
suggesting that a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR
DAYS from the date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your
civil action is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN
THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision
or to consult an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the
jurisdiction in which your action would be filed. 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 (Z1092)
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:
March 19, 1999
DATE Ronnie Blumenthal, Director
Office of Federal Operations