usps eeoc settlements 2020

If such draconian moves ever go forward, it will only be thanks to the previous Democratic and Republican administrations which sanctioned cuts to the USPS and to the postal workers unions which have been complicit in these attacks. In order to have met the federal 2% participation rate goal, 14,158 IWTD were needed. on 8/11/2022 Joint Employers in Permian Basin Retaliated. This means a settlement from the EEOC or business is not accepted and the victim decides to take the matter to court. 1-800-669-6820 (TTY) Administrative Judge properly determined that, where Complainant (through a retainer agreement) was being provided legal services at a reduced rate based on public-interest-minded reasons, the proper hourly rate was the prevailing rate at the time of the fee petition rather than the historical rate at the time the work was performed. The participation rate for FY 2008 was 0.77% and for FY 2005 was 0.88%. After an appeal, complainant later requested the EEOC reopen her case. For questions or concerns please contact our offices: Thomas & Solomon LLP - [About the Firm] 693 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 (877) 272-4066 (telephone M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM EST) (585) 272-0574 (facsimile) According to the USPS' own written policy, "managers and supervisors are responsible for preventing harassment and inappropriate behavior could lead to illegal harassment and must respond. This policy reaffirms the Postal Service's commitment to providing a work environment free of harassment and supersedes MOP HR-06-29-2020-2. Dismissal of hearing request not warranted where any problems concerning the adequacy of Complainant's discovery responses could have been cured well before the discovery period ended, failure to issue a show-cause order deprived Complainant of the opportunity to respond to Agency's motions for sanctions, and Commission could not independently assess adequacy of Complainant's responses to Agency's discovery requests because the requests and responses were missing from the record. Administrative Judge's remedial order requiring Agency to develop and adopt policies and procedures concerning the recruitment and selection of employees for non-competitive, temporary positions and to ensure equal opportunity and consideration in the selection process was appropriate. 012082505, Agency Case No. 0120171406 (Mar. Share sensitive 0720180014 (May 10, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720180014.pdf. 0120160543 (Jan. 14, 2021), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/0120160543.pdf. Just 47% of initial appeals before the Merit Systems Protection Boardthe quasi-judicial agency tasked with ensuring agencies follow civil service laws in their disciplinary actions and other . 0120123215 and 0120131079 (Mar. 0120122672 (Feb. 24, 2017), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120122672.txt. Complainant raised his reasonable-accommodation claim in a timely manner; the duty to provide reasonable accommodation is ongoing and, at the time that he contacted the EEO Counselor, Complaint was alleging that the Agency remained unwilling to provide him with reasonable accommodation. 0120182523 (July 7, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2020_08_11/0120182523.pdf. Carroll R. v. Dep't of the Navy, EEOC Appeal No. 0720160021 (July 25, 2018), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720160021.txt. 2020003134 (Oct. 15, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2021_01_19/2020003134.pdf. Before such hearing was held, plaintiff Case 1:03-cv-01987-EGS Document 25 Filed 09/28/05 Page 1 of 19 Applying Bostock v. Clayton County, 140 S. Ct. 1831 (2020), the Commission found that the agency discriminated against complainant on the basis of sexual orientation when it did not select him for any of three supervisory positions; complainant established that the agency's proffered explanation was pretextual. Colby S. v. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. He was a part of the 130000 The EEOC in making its award of $165,000 in compensatory damages noted that Padilla had asserted that he had both emotional and physical suffering since his termination, lost custody of his daughter, hasnt been able to see his daughter since his former wife and daughter relocated, lost friendships, has slept in his car and frequently didnt have any food. 0720150010 (Sept. 2, 2016), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720150010.txt. Jordon S. v. Dep't of Justice, EEOC Appeal No. Agency violated the Rehabilitation Act when it did not provide Complainant with adequate equipment and unreasonably delayed the provision of assistive technology, software, and training to support her accommodation of full-time telework; performance counseling memorandum and placement on performance improvement plan for performance issues directly resulted from Agency's failure to provide Complainant with adequate technologies required to telework effectively. However, some of the funds were held back to ensure that all affected clerks would receive back pay. Complainant did not establish a prima facie case of failure to accommodate her pregnancy-related condition because the preponderance of the evidence in the record established that the Agency provided Complainant with an appropriate space other than a restroom to use to express breastmilk; there was no evidence that Complainant followed up with her supervisor or anyone else to notify the Agency that the storage room was not an effective accommodation after it was cleaned, and the supervisor permitted Complainant to use vacant conference rooms or offices instead of the storage room. The class action suit is currently open and continues to process claims from approximately 28,000 victimized postal workers. 2019002760 (Aug. 18, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2020_12_07/2019002760.pdf. USPS' average processing time for all complaint closures increased from 238 days in FY 2008 to 243 days in FY 2009. EEOC finds that a USPS employee claims of discrimination and retaliation were not sufficiently investigated by the agency. For Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers: The lies to protect themselves is mind boggling. Barbara S. v. U.S. 2019001961 (Sept. 21, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2020_12_07/2019001961.pdf. Agency discriminatorily denied Complainant's religious-accommodation request for an exemption from the requirement that employees carry a cannister of pepper spray where it was undisputed that Complainant, a chaplain, had a bona fide religious belief that prevented him from carrying the spray; Agency did not show that exempting one employee, out of approximately 300 employees, from the requirement would have been an undue hardship; and there was no evidence that Agency explored a lateral transfer to a different facility or any other alternative accommodation. Agency violated the Rehabilitation Act when, after Complainant's physician provided a medical report stating that Complainant's borderline Type II Diabetes Mellitus did not require medication and did not impair his ability to do his job as a Court Security Officer, Agency requested at least 11 additional types of medical information and examinations; a mere diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus does not automatically mean that an agency has a job-related, business-necessity-based reason for subjecting CSOs to disability-related inquiries and medical examinations. 0120171750 (Feb. 28, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120171750.pdf. The Post Office is unbelievable in their ability to mistreat their workers. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 41,000 past and current USPS workers whose hours may have been restricted because of permanent disabilities from 2000-2012. Marquis K. v. Dep't of the Navy, EEOC Appeal No. 2019004187 (Nov. 30, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2021_01_25/2019004187.pdf. It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2020 that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited sex discrimination will have an impact on total LGBTQ-based sex discrimination charges filed.. Requiring Complainant to seek assistance in opening doors from security guards and coworkers did not provide her with an effective accommodation; Agency's eventual installation of automatic doors demonstrated that this accommodation was not an undue hardship. 0120182764 (June 23, 2021), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2021_08_31/0120182764.pdf. Agency did not establish that its "sit and reach" requirement for a Wildlife Refuge Specialist position was job related and consistent with business necessity where no Agency witness was able to articulate how the ability to reach over one's toes while sitting down with legs outstretched was related to any of the functions of the position. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0520130618.txt. USPS timely processed 99.5% of the 17,054 pre-complaint counselings (without remands) completed in FY 2009. Celine B. v. Dep't of the Navy, EEOC Appeal No. Employee lawsuits are expensive. 0720170034 (June 15, 2018), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720170034.txt. Malinda F. v. Dep't of the Air Force, EEOC Appeal No. 25, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120170498.pdf. Wes S. v. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. Supervisor engaged in per se reprisal when he told Complainant that her complaints about EEO issues were causing him extra work and stress, threatened her with termination, and labeled her as someone who does not work well with others because of her oral complaints about co-workers. 0720180015 (Nov. 15, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720180015.pdf. The manager informed the 9-1-1 dispatchers that Mr. Purviance was a disgruntled worker and that they suspected him of filing a . The settlement directed the Postal Service to pay $44.8 million directly to clerks and establish an escrow of $11.2 million to be disbursed in a manner determined by the union. Ruben T. v. Dep't of Justice, EEOC Appeal No. The Agency subjected Complainant to per se reprisal when a manager made statements during a staff meeting that were intended to discourage employees from engaging in protected EEO activity. The appellate decision affirmed an Administrative Judge's award of $200,000.00 in non-pecuniary compensatory damages and $223,116.35 in pecuniary compensatory damages. 2021001733 (June 2, 2021), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2021_08_31/2021001733.pdf. 0120171387 (May 2, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120171387.pdf. Minda W. v. Dep't of the Navy, EEOC Appeal No. In reversing the agencys final decision, the EEOC held that evidence from a health-care provider or other expert is not a mandatory prerequisite for recovery of compensatory damages for emotional harm. It went to state that: Objective evidence of compensatory damages can include statements from the Complainant concerning his emotional pain or suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, injury to professional standing, injury to character or reputation, injury to credit standing, loss of health and any other non-pecuniary losses that are incurred as a result of the discriminatory conduct. 0120161851 (June 15, 2018), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120161851.txt. Substantial evidence supported Administrative Judge's determination that the Agency discriminated against Complainant on the basis of race when it terminated his employment as a sales store checker during his probationary period; the AJ found Complainant to be credible, the Agency's stated reason (that Complainant had an altercation with a bagger) was not believable, the evidence showed that those terminated during their probationary period were predominantly African-Americans, and a Caucasian employee who also had an altercation with the bagger did not receive any disciplinary action. Reita M. v. Agency for International Development, EEOC Appeal No. Brendon L. v. Dep't of Veterans Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. That number includes both private sector and state and local . 2, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120172604.pdf. May 4, 2020 An EEOC Administrative Judge has approved a settlement in the Pittman v. USPS Class Complaint in which the complaint alleged discrimination based on disability against a class of employees in permanent rehabilitation positions, on a nation-wide basis. The USPS now employs around 630,000 workers compared to 900,000 in 1999. 0120131989 (Oct. 26, 2016), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120131989.txt. NEW YORK (AP) Four New York City ambulance workers who said they were disciplined for speaking to the media during the harrowing, early months of the COVID-19 pandemic have reached a settlement in their free speech lawsuit against the fire department and the city, their union announced Wednesday. The claims, evidence, and legal briefs for all of our clients relief claims have been submitted to the EEOC Administrative Judge. Deandre C. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, EEOC Appeal No. Kristofer D. v. Dep't of the Army, EEOC Appeal No. Washington, DC 20507 Workers allege that they were let go from their new positions when the USPS told them that there was not enough work in the new positions to keep the workers employed. This booklet also provides an explanation of the REDRESS program REDRESS, an alternative dispute resolution process, may offer you an opportunity to request mediation in addition to traditional EEO Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 3, 2019), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120180137.pdf. Agency cannot shift the blame for challenged actions onto an alleged responsible management official and then make no effort to explain why the official did not respond to EEO Investigator's request for an affidavit or to provide other explanations for the official's alleged actions; an agency's legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason(s) must be detailed and supported by the evidence. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. USPS Worker Arrested - Retaliation Goes Too Far. Login to EEO efile This is the on-line system for initiating the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counseling process or the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process with an EEO Counselor to resolve your claim of employment discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offers three ways to voluntarily resolve charges: mediation, settlement and conciliation. A real socialist and internationalist strategy is needed to take control of communications infrastructure from the corporate ruling class and to place it into the hands of the working class worldwide. The final ruling from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission came more than 10 years after a former employee first filed a class complaint alleging USPS subjected employees to a "pattern. Complainant subjected to a hostile work environment based on sex where subordinate disparaged him because of his sexual orientation and managers, who placed the onus on Complainant to discipline the harasser or file an EEO complaint, failed to take prompt and effective action; because Agency did not have an effective anti-harassment policy, Agency was ordered to seek technical assistance from EEOC's Office of Federal Operations and to correct the policy's deficiencies. 0 Copyright 2023 The Angel Law Firm, PLLC. I really wish there was a law forbidding Union Money being spent on political candidates running for public office. 20, 2018), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120160256.txt. Heidi B. v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. Frequently Asked Questions, Commissioner Charges and Directed Investigations, Office of Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, Management Directives & Federal Sector Guidance, Federal Sector Alternative Dispute Resolution. 0120182505 (Nov. 7, 2018), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0120182505.pdf. Summary judgment in favor of Agency inappropriate where AJ abused her discretion in denying Complainant's Motion to Compel and there were genuine issues of material fact concerning whether Agency had a policy or practice of not accommodating pregnant workers while accommodating other categories of workers. Ashlee P. v. Social Security Administration, EEOC Appeal No. The Cost to your Company. What Hasn't Been Working Well Imagine the EEOC ruling against you in a discrimination charge and inviting you to a settlement conference without explaining either why you lost the case or how [] It is not an effective accommodation to require an employee with a disability to take leave when another accommodation would enable the employee to continue working, and it is not the agency's role to dictate what type of assistive or monitoring device the employee uses. Thersa E. v. U.S. March 1, 2023 12:32 pm. Irina T. v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. USPS asks that the EEOC simply take their word that all Class Members were properly notified . 0720150002 (Sept. 25, 2017), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/decisions/0720150002.txt. The EEOC then awarded her an additional $10,000 in non-pecuniary damages. The Commission had previously found discrimination in EEOC Appeal No. 2019001284 (Aug. 4, 2020), https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/2020_12_07/2019001284.pdf. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. First, please know that we will continue fighting to get you the best possible award. In 2021, we reported that non-career employees' turnover and injury rates were higher than career rates, both before and after we controlled for numerous factors such as employee tenure. Agency, which provided no explanation for the more-than-one-year delay in its issuance of the final decision, was ordered to post a notice at its Complaint Adjudication Office regarding its failure to comply with the Commission's regulatory timeframes and orders and to provide training to its EEO personnel. Of the 5,659 complaints filed at USPS, 1,283 contained allegations of race (Black/African American) discrimination, 570 contained allegations of race (White) discrimination, 128 contained allegations of race (Asian) discrimination, 17 contained allegations of race (American Indian/Alaska Native) discrimination, 757 contained allegations of color discrimination and 2,533 contained allegations of disability discrimination.