0120121134
05-18-2012
Tom K. Wagner, Complainant, v. Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service (Southwest Area), Agency.
Tom K. Wagner,
Complainant,
v.
Patrick R. Donahoe,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service
(Southwest Area),
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120121134
Agency No. 1G782000112
DECISION
Complainant filed a timely appeal with this Commission from the Agency's decision dated December 9, 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., Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq., and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.
BACKGROUND
At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, Complainant worked as an Operations Support Specialist at the Agency's Midland P&DF facility in Midland, Texas.
On November 23, 2011, Complainant filed a formal complaint alleging that the Agency subjected him to discrimination/harassment on the bases of race/color, sex, religion, disability, age, and reprisal when:
* On September 7, 2011, Complainant notified his manager that he had an on-the-job injury which was disregarded.
* On September 9, 2011, Complainant's reporting time was changed to a different tour and he was denied access to the Midland Plant due to an employee filing a harassment charge against him.
* On September 25, 2011 Complainant was told by his manager that "a line had been drawn in the sand and he was not going to take it"' Complainant considered this comment to be a personal threat.
* On September 29, 2011 Complainant was threatened for calling the OIG, the Manager, Human Resources, and Postal Inspectors.
* On October 5, 2011, Complainant was issued a pre-disciplinary interview without representation, while in the lobby, in front of the Postmaster and two postal customers.
* On October 11, 2011, Complainant was issued a letter of warning in front of the Postmaster.
* On October 20, 2011, Complainant was threatened by his manager and after reporting chest pains, was ordered to go to the manager's office. He was followed out of the office by his manager and ordered to provide medical documentation.
* Complainant was required to perform craft duties which required that he work outside of his medical restrictions (dates not specified).
The Agency issued the final decision at issue in the instant appeal dismissing the complaint on the grounds that it was untimely filed. The Agency determined that Complainant received the Notice of Right to File a Discrimination Complaint (hereinafter "Notice") on November 7, 2011, as confirmed by the Postal Service Track and Confirm computerized tracking system, but that Complainant waited more than fifteen days to file the formal complaint when he filed his complaint on November 23, 2011.
The instant appeal followed.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Based on a thorough review of the record and consideration of the arguments on appeal, the Commission concludes that the dismissal, due to the untimely filing of the formal complaint, was improper. The regulation set forth at 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(2) states, in pertinent part, that an agency shall dismiss a complaint which fails to comply with the applicable time limits contained in 29 C.F.R. � 1614.106, which, in turn, requires the filing of a formal complaint within fifteen (15) days of receiving the notice of the right to do so.
The record in this case contains insufficient evidence reflecting Complainant's receipt of the Notice on November 7, 2011. The record contains a United States Postal Service "Track & Confirm" print-out, which indicates a delivery on November 7, 2011 in "Midland, TX 79707" without any further details of the address. We determine that there is no evidence, other than this generalized reference to a city and zip code, indicating that Complainant actually received the Notice. Where, as here, there is an issue of timeliness, "[a]n agency always bears the burden of obtaining sufficient information to support a reasoned determination as to timeliness." Guy, v. Department of Energy, EEOC Request No. 05930703 (January 4, 1994) (quoting Williams v. Department of Defense, EEOC Request No. 05920506 (August 25, 1992)). In addition, in Ericson v. Department of the Army, EEOC Request No. 05920623 (January 14, 1993), the Commission stated that "the agency has the burden of providing evidence and/or proof to support its final decisions." See also Gens v. Department of Defense, EEOC Request No. 05910837 (January 31, 1992).
As it is undisputed that Complainant filed his formal complaint on November 23, 2011, and there is inadequate evidence of Complainant's receipt of the Notice, we find Complainant's formal complaint was timely filed. The Agency's final decision dismissing complainant's complaint on the grounds that it was untimely filed is REVERSED. The complaint is REMANDED to the Agency for further processing in accordance with this decision and the ORDER 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
May 18, 2012
__________________
Date
2
0120121134
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013
2
0120121134