Opinion ID: 63004
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: EEO Investigation of 2004 Complaint

Text: On March 27, 2004, Andrews-Willmann filed a formal EEO complaint with the Treasury Department. Based on a review of Andrews-Willmann’s complaint, the agency identified in a letter claims of “harassment on the bases of her physical disability (Aggravated Bilateral Carpel [sic] Tunnel Syndrome) and/or retaliation for prior EEO complaint activity” and listed the following five activities for investigation: (1) Davis’s accusing Andrews-Willmann of causing the personnel department grief; (2) the IRS’s refusal to help Andrews-Willmann locate a position in Columbus, Georgia after her hardship transfer request was granted; (3) Davis’s asking Andrews-Willmann “Just what is it you can’t do”; (4) Davis’s statement to Andrews-Willmann that the IRS would not provide her with a light duty job offer; and (5) Davis’s threat to classify Andrews-Willmann as AWOL if she failed to submit medical documentation for her physical disability of carpal tunnel syndrome. The agency gave Andrews-Willmann fifteen days to notify the agency if she disagreed with the claims listed in the letter. There is no evidence in the record that Andrews-Willmann objected to the claims as identified in the letter. The EEO investigator interviewed and obtained sworn statements from 6 Andrews-Willmann, her immediate supervisor Davis, her second line supervisor Unander and her third line supervisor Myers. The agency gave AndrewsWillmann a copy of the EEO investigative file because it contained sufficient information for the agency to make a decision on her complaint. The agency informed Andrews-Willmann that she could request within fifteen days that the investigative file be supplemented and that the decision to supplement the record rested with the Complaint Center Director. In response, on October 5, 2004, Andrews-Willmann sent a letter to the agency stating that the investigative file contained “nothing or very little documentation substantiating [Andrews-Willmann’s] statements” and requested that the agency obtain statements from ten witnesses, including various IRS and Office of Worker’s Compensation employees. Andrews-Willmann attached a signed, unsworn statement from her husband. On October 29, 2004, the agency informed Andrews-Willmann that it would not obtain the requested statements. The agency noted that Andrews-Willmann had not indicated what involvement or information the listed individuals could provide related to her claims. Following the investigation, the agency found no discrimination. On September 15, 2005, the EEOC affirmed the agency’s determination and issued a right to sue letter. 7