0120114305
02-21-2012
Steve A. Silvers,
Complainant,
v.
Ray H. LaHood,
Secretary,
Department of Transportation
(Federal Aviation Administration),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120114305
Agency No. 201123862FAA05
DISMISSAL OF APPEAL
By Notice of Appeal postmarked September 13, 2011, Complainant filed an
appeal with this Commission from the July 7, 2011 final Agency decision
(FAD) concerning his EEO complaint of unlawful employment discrimination
in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA),
as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.
It is undisputed that the Agency mailed the FAD to Complainant and that
it was received by him on July 14, 2011. A review of the FAD reveals that
the Agency properly advised Complainant that he had thirty (30) calendar
days after receipt of its final decision to file his appeal with the
Commission. However, Complainant did not file his appeal until September
13, 2011, approximately one month beyond the 30-day limitation period.
Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.604, the time limitation for filing appeals
is subject to waiver, estoppel and equitable tolling. Complainant
requests that his untimely filing be excused because he misplaced the
decision from the Agency while moving to a new residence. He provides
proof that on August 16, 2011, he sent an email to the Agency requesting
another copy of the decision. The record establishes that the Agency
responded by email on August 17, 2011, by transmitting Complainant another
copy of its decision. However, it took Complainant nearly another month
to file his appeal. Under these facts, we find that Complainant has not
offered adequate justification for an extension of the applicable time
limit for filing his appeal.
Accordingly, Complainant's September 13, 2011 appeal is hereby DISMISSED.
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
February 21, 2012
__________________
Date
2
0120114305
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120114305