Document: 486 U.S. 107 108 S.Ct. 1666 100 L.Ed.2d 96 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, Petitionerv.COMMERCIAL OFFICE PRODUCTS COMPANY. No. 86-1696. Argued Jan. 13, 1988. Decided May 16, Syllabus Under § 706(e) of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964 (Act), a complainant must file discrimination charge with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days occurrence alleged unlawful employment practice, or 300 if proceedings are initially instituted state local agency having "authority to grant seek relief." 706(c), no may be filed EEOC until 60 have elapsed from initial filing an authorized agency, unless that agency's "have been earlier terminated." This Court has held that, in light 706(c)'s deferral period, with, referred by to, 240 discriminatory event order ensure it 706(e)'s extended 300-day limit, terminates its before days. Mohasco Corp. v. Silver, 447 807, 2486, 65 532. The Colorado Division (CCRD) and entered into worksharing agreement, which provides each will process certain categories charges CCRD waives 60-day period respect those processed but retains jurisdiction act on such after EEOC's conclude. Alleging 290 earlier, respondent had discharged her because sex violation VII, Suanne Leerssen EEOC, undertook processing pursuant agreement. informed waived right this regard retained under Respondent refused comply administrative subpoena, District denied enforcement ground lacked was not timely period. Appeals agreed therefore affirmed, although rejected respondent's contention inapplicable 180-day limitations provided law. Held: judgment is reversed, case remanded. 803 F.2d 581, reversed Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Parts I, II-A, III, concluding that: 1. A decision waive agreement "terminates" meaning so immediately deem begin it. Respondent's contention, Appeals' holding, did "terminate" resolution favor position when declares proceed, does at all, for specified interval time, since interpretation ambiguous language primary responsibility, entitled deference where reasonable. reasonableness statutory context more than amply supported legislative history VII's provisions, purposes other sections Act. Pp. 114—116. 2. who files untimely law nonetheless federal That section's relief" phrase preclude conclusion theory lacks requisite authority absence law, refers merely enabling legislation establishing agencies, requirements. Rather, reasoning Oscar Mayer & Co. Evans, 441 750, 99 2066, 609, entirely apposite even though involved provisions Age Discrimination Act, virtually haec verba issue here. Thus, failure state-law claim automatically application contains express requirement filing, should imported Act's remedial fact laypersons, rather lawyers, expected initiate would confused additional requirement. Moreover, embroil complicated issues neither time nor expertise determine. '§ 240-day rule applies cases. 122-125. MARSHALL, J., announced BRENNAN, WHITE, BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined, II-B II-C, joined. concurring part judgment, post, p. ----. STEVENS, dissenting opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA, KENNEDY, took consideration case. James L. Stone, Denver, Colo., respondent. BLACKMUN 1 raises two questions regarding limits 1964, 78 Stat. 253, 42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq. question presented whether exclusive charge, 706(c) 260, as amended 1972, 86 104, 2000e-5(c), filed. In addition, we decide 105, 2000e-5(e). 2 * limit interpreted establish following procedures EEOC. As general rule, practice. 706(e), 2000e-5(e).1 If institutes relief practice charged, Ibid. 3 give States localities opportunity combat free premature intervention, 2000e-5(c).2 referral appropriate properly hold " 'suspended animation' during jurisdiction. Love Pullman Co., 404 522, 525-526, 92 616, 618-619, 30 679 (1972). refer limit. See 814, n. 2491, 532 (1980). days, still ibid. 4 central waiver constitutes "termination" permit immediately. substantial importance used enter agreements approximately three-quarters 109 agencies enforce laws. 709(b), 107-108, 2000e-8(b) (authorizing "enter written agreements" promote "effective enforcement" Act); Brief Petitioner (EEOC 81 agencies). 5 These typically provide others, waiving latter instance. See, e.g., Worksharing Agreement between App. Pet. Cert. 48a-49a. either instance, nonprocessing party generally reserves review party's investigate further completed proceedings. id., 47a. Whether determine only proceedings, also entire class first 6 facts instant concretely reflect what stake. On March 26, 1984, petitioner She Commercial Office Products Company VII. 30, sent copy Leerssen's transmittal form (CCRD), State discrimination. stated CCRD. 7 returned indicating charge. April 4, letter explaining stating CCRD's "terminated" then just "termination," however, expire well 8 timeliness raised issued subpoena information relevant maintaining commenced action United seeking judicial subpoena. dismissed action, holding over Action 85-K-1385 (June 6, 1985), 23a. 9 Tenth Circuit affirmed. 581 (1986). threshold matter, failed State's own Id., 585-586, 3. Court, reasoned "completely surrenders charge." 587. Because reserving "finally unequivocally terminate authority" plain statute required. 590. expressly disagreed First Isaac Harvard University, 769 817 (1985). upheld view support construction. Judge McKay dissented case, arguing prevail reasons offered Circuit. 10 We granted certiorari resolve conflict Circuits, 482 926, 3208, 695 (1987), now reverse. II A. 11 foremost, defends unambiguously precludes According respondent, means 'completed' 'ended.' 14. urges definition met words Appeals, relinquish[es] point future." F.2d, 589, 13 (emphasis original). reactivate maintains 12 cannot agree mean "to end all time." find persuasive determination includes "cessation noted included both Webster's Third New International Dictionary 2359 (1976) (definition "terminate") Black's Law 1319 (5th ed. 1979) "termination"). Isaac, 820, 821, 5. correctly observed common usage "terminate," "complete," "end" often element, "ending negotiations despite likely inevitability their resumption" "terminating work job-site knowing resume next day." 821. observations time. To sure, bear proposed Indeed, naturally frequently usage. But axiomatic need best one grammatical any standards. reasonable deference. 761, 2074, 609 (1979). described detail below. Deference appropriate. B 14 demonstrates far consistent contrary 15 706 were enacted compromise forged course longest filibusters Senate's history. bill passed House "deferral" efforts sense directed providing suspension circumstances. H.R. 7152, 88th Cong., 2d Sess., 708, 110 Cong.Rec. 2511-2512 (1964). rescind determined longer effectively exercising power Senate, strenuous opposition placed monitoring efforts, granting claims upon effective. 6449 (remarks Sen. Dirksen). bill's opponents voiced concerns against backdrop federal-state civil rights conflicts early 1960's, doubt intensified fear "the steady deeper intrusion Federal power." 8193 resolved "Dirksen-Mansfield substitute," Cong.Rec., 11926-11935. 16 proponents Dirksen-Mansfield substitute identified goals fully may, they choose, retain entering First, explained meant "reasonable commencement proceedings." 12708 Humphrey).3 Nothing impinges instances voluntary choice made through individually negotiated agreements, imposition Government. eight Columbia brief amici satisfaction operation agreements: "By clarifying responsibility different charges, benefit states." al. Amici Curiae most flexible, permitting interest cases ordinarily call refrain assuming Between 49a. 17 contrast, argument permitted creation reflected congressional preference opposed odds voluntarism stressed deferral. Congress clearly foresaw possibility might decline take advantage afforded them provisions. It gave "unable unwilling" relief. 12725 (1964) Humphrey). too, recognized envisioned intervention "States decline, whatever reason, [their] opportunities" settle grievances "a localized manner." U.S., S.Ct., 2074. counsel explained, carrot, stick," affording act, penalizing do authorizing intervention. Tr. Oral Arg. 11. goal. 18 addition forestall "time economy expeditious handling cases." 9790 Dirksen).4 adopted irreconcilable purpose result extraordinary inefficiency without furthering goal required wait share locality Or, effort avoid pointless delay, could abandon attempt solution suggested 29-30. Such create enormous backlog localities, preventing securing citizens quick attention agreements. another scenario see 29, rewrite accordance term—complete relinquishment prevent reactivation proceedings.5 Requiring completely relinquish needless delay turns head dual provisions: efficient claims. observe, "frustrates intent employ complaints." 19 dramatic reading preclusion All less event, like rendered limit.6 thus requires period—which behalf agencies—to render joint result. epigrammatically observes, last "too too late." 25. severe consequence, conjunction above, leads "absurd futile results . 'plainly variance policy whole,' countenance. American Trucking Assns., Inc., 310 534, 543, 1059, 1063-64, 84 L.Ed. 1345 (1940), quoting Ozawa States, 260 178, 194, 43 65, 67-68, 67 199 (1922). C 20 construction finds other, related reinforce our intend widely force. 21 Section 706(d) member individual complainant, concurrent jurisdiction, shall, taking notify officials and, request, afford sixty shorter requested, act." 2000e-5(d) added). permits authorize immediate arising 706(d). There every reason believe intended same notwithstanding language. reflects legislators' understanding §§ (d) same. 12690 Saltonstall); 15896 Rep. Celler). already 526-527, 619, difference wording [the sections] seems reflection persons concluded "[t]here think" abeyance 706(d), 706(c)—even former section authorizes not. Similarly, there think make waivable claim, mandatory claim. 22 calling formal cooperation agencies. 705(g)(1) gives cooperate consent, utilize regional, State, local, agencies." 258, 2000e-4(g)(1). 709(b) specifies "[i]n furtherance cooperative 108, 2000e-8(b). envision establishment some sort way designed unnecessary duplication waste necessary effect existing focus III 23 alternative, argues below Colorado's person aggrieved 2000e-5(e), below, consider question,7 establishes join Circuits applicable 24 Although correct Court's (1979), precise address today, 36, significant guidance. Mayer, found 1967 (ADEA) complainant's his untimely. contained 759, 2073, declined ADEA recognition 'statutory scheme laymen, unassisted trained process.' supra, 527, 619. separate apposite. itself, "virtually verba," patterned latter. 755, 2071. ADEA, reference considerations militate importing hurdle identical context: process. 25 importation periods confuse lay complainants, answer apply. simple matter. jurisdictional nonjurisdictional. And nonjurisdictional, equitably tolled. determinations varying laws many accordingly construed available regardless filing. 52 Fed.Reg. 10224 (1987). contrast difficulties argument, broadly worded statement (1980), presenting "need preserved," easily understood complainants administered reaffirm today. 26 conclude reverse remand opinion. 27 ordered. 28 KENNEDY 29 O'CONNOR judgment. I Part concludes statute's language, structure, history, sufficient ambiguity exists warrant word 706(c). particularly type technical procedure. while much majority says II-C reasonable, my goes suggesting permissible. For example, labels "absurd," ante, 120, implies refuse countenance adopt approach. NLRB Food Workers, 484 112, 123, 413, 421, 98 429 (1987) (agency given "as long rational statute"); Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Natural Resources Defense Council, 467 837, 844, 104 2778, 2782-83, 694 (1984) regulations "unless arbitrary, capricious, manifestly statute"). Any implication incorrect. dissent concisely points out, post 126, 1, quite reasonably warrants giving recognizes natural reading, ante 115. 31 short, solely due traditional accorded statute. read go beyond view, 32 whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE SCALIA join, dissenting. 33 faithful statute,1 possible enact 1964,2 prior very provision construes today.3 Accordingly, respectfully dissent. provides: "A shall hundred eighty occurred notice (including date, place circumstances practice) served ten thereafter, except institute criminal thereto receiving thereof, three occurred, thirty terminated whichever agency." "In occurring political subdivision prohibiting [subsection (b) ] expiration terminated, sixty-day twenty year effective date imposed signed proceeding based, deemed subsection registered mail authority." 2000e-5(c). Senators emphasized previous 12688 Saltonstall) (deferral preserve governments out problems willing so"); 14313 Miller) "giv[e] carry responsibilities first"); 2494-95, (1980) "give redress evil aimed, demonstrated"); 2071, (1979) limited thereby unnecessary, resort victims discrimination"); 526, 618-19, (1972) complaints"). represented Congress' efficiency, 24, comments Senator Dirksen, chief architect compromise. His remarks clear he believed efficiency respecting prerogatives. "assure fair grievances"). Reactivation serves useful function these protective employers fewer employees bona fide private membership clubs. 701(b), 2000e(b). Each year, reactivates four five investigation 7. exception Oklahoma Tennessee, 27, 24. Hence, none term. Gilardi Schroeder, 833 1226, 1230-1231 (CA7 1987); Mennor Fort Hood National Bank, 829 553, 556 (CA5 Maurya Peabody Coal 823 933, 935 (CA6 1987), cert. denied, 1067, 1030, 994 (1988); Shamrock Optical 788 491, 493-494 (CA8 1986); Thomas Florida Power Light 764 768, 771 (CA11 1985); Howze Jones Laughlin Steel Corp., 750 1208, 1211 (CA3 1984). "no (Emphasis added.) temporary time" sufficiently require interpretation. Ante, 116. chose convey something absolute finality, bears "more usage." inform reader termination being ending particular true examples majority. day," "terminating" promise future events, itself. negates activity contemplated, terminated. seeks construe manner preserves prudent, conferred statute, "tur[n] head" 120. operates prohibited frustrate protect efforts. What state, 819-822, 2493-2495 perfectly nothing suggestion allowed proceed diligence nondeferral (who days), assumes specially favored treatment. 120—121; Moore Sunbeam 459 811, 822-826, 829-830 1972). Mohasco, 2494, stated: "Congress prohibit passed, came sooner."

Category: 1