01A14409_r
12-18-2001
Savannah L. Smith, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Savannah L. Smith v. United States Postal Service
01A14409
December 18, 2001
.
Savannah L. Smith,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A14409
Agency Nos. 4G-770-0385-01, 4G-770-0387-01
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that complainant's complaint was
improperly dismissed pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2), for failure
to file the formal complaint in a timely manner.
The record discloses that complainant received the notice of right to
file a formal complaint on May 1, 2001. Although the notice indicated
that complainant had to file a formal complaint within fifteen (15)
calendar days of its receipt, complainant's complaint was not received
until May 29, 2001, which is beyond the limitation period.
Complainant attached a letter to her formal complaint stating that her
complaint was untimely due to health reasons. In the letter, complainant
stated that she had been out of the office since April 23, 2001, and
�was put on different medications� which caused her to miss the deadline.
Complainant also included a letter from Physician A dated May 22, 2001,
which states that complainant is diagnosed with having major depression,
recurrent. In this letter the doctor states that complainant will remain
out on disability until June 18, 2001.
On appeal, complainant argues that the time limitations should be
waived in her case due to incapacitation. The record includes a letter
dated July 11, 2001, from Physician A indicating that complainant has
been under doctor's care for recurrent episodes of severe depression.
Physician A states that complainant �was placed on disability on April
23, and continued on disability until now.� Physician A states that
�[d]uring the first month of her incapacitation complainant suffered
from impaired concentration, judgment, and ability to make decisions
or follow instructions, and was adversely affected by multiple changes
of medicines.� Physician A states that the depression interfered with
complainant's ability to follow directions and complete paperwork and
applications regarding legal and occupational issues.
When a complainant claims that a physical or mental condition prevents
her from meeting a particular filing deadline, the Commission has
held that in order to justify an untimely filing, complainant must
be so incapacitated by the condition as to render her unable to make
a timely filing. See Crear v. United States Postal Service, EEOC
Request No. 05920700 (October 29, 1992). The record shows, that during
the relevant time period, complainant was mentally incapacitated to the
point that she was forced to stop working. This, coupled with persuasive
evidence from complainant's doctor and the record as a whole, constitutes
adequate reason for tolling the time limitations in complainant's case.
Therefore, we find that an extension of the filing period is warranted
in this case and the formal complaint is timely.
Accordingly, the agency's final decision is REVERSED and complainant's
complaint is REMANDED for further processing in accordance with the
Order below.
ORDER (E0900)
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 (K0501)
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 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 (M0701)
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 (R0900)
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 (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
December 18, 2001
__________________
Date