The noose stressed her out

Does anyone know the award on this case?

Betty P. Sinclair v. Department of the Air Force

01A24340

July 22, 2003

.

Betty P. Sinclair,

Complainant,

v.

Dr. James G. Roche,

Secretary,

Department of the Air Force,

Agency.

Appeal No. 01A24340

Agency Nos. RX1M01028 and RX1M00350

Hearing Nos. 110-A1-8522X and 110-A1-8523X

DECISION

Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.405, the Commission accepts the complainant’s

appeal from the agency’s final order in the above-entitled matter.

Complainant alleged that the agency harassed and discriminated against her

in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as

amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation

Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et seq., on

the bases of race (African-American), sex (female), disability (stress),

and in reprisal for prior EEO activity when:

A rope used to tie assemblies was tied to the air hose and suspended

over her tool box in the shape of a noose, yet the supervisor refused

to notify security;

On June 22, 2000, several co-workers put up a “HELP” sign over a foot

high, which ridiculed her;

On October 22, 2000, the agency reprimanded her; and

On November 1, 2000, management questioned complainant.

After a review of the record in its entirety, including consideration

of all statements submitted on appeal, it is the decision of the Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission to affirm the final agency order because

the Administrative Judge’s ultimate finding, that unlawful employment

discrimination was not proven by a preponderance of the evidence, is

supported by the record.

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 (S0900)

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 (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

_July 22, 2003_________________

Date

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

For timeliness purposes, the Commission will presume that this decision

was received within five (5) calendar days after it was mailed.  I certify

that this decision was mailed to complainant, complainant’s representative

(if applicable), and the agency on:

__________________

Date

______________________________

Equal Opportunity Assistant