Comment on FR Doc # E9-30162

Dear Mr. Llewellyn: I am a retired federal employee. But I remain very interested in matters relating to discrimination in the federal government. During my years of federal employment, I had the opportunity to gain important insights into EEOC's role in the government as well as the EEO process itself. Early in my career, I served as an EEO Specialist. Eventually, I became involved in EEO issues as a Human Resource Specialist. Although I believe EEOC could do a lot more to clarify the federal sector regulations, I would like to offer a comment, at this time, on the proposal regarding Section 1614.502(c). In Section 502(c), EEOC is allowing agencies to delay giving relief to a person who has been discriminated against, without considering the persons particular circumstances. This could cause extreme hardship to an individual, especially since it already takes too long to get a favorable decision in the administrative process. I believe the deadline for providing relief to a discrimination victim should be based on how urgent the situation is. This means that sometimes relief should be provided immediately. The explanation for changing Section 502(c) is not a good reason for prolonging the suffering of any discrimination victim. It almost sounds as if EEOC is trying to create a possible loophole for agencies that want to avoid having to correct their discriminatory behavior. The loophole is EEOC's willingness to protect them by saying that its relief orders have no effect, the minute a complainant goes into court. I don't think its proper for EEOC to align itself with discriminating agencies in this way. Agencies should be required to provide a remedy for their discrimination if EEOC orders them to do so. If a problem arises due to a court action, agencies have lawyers who are perfectly capable of figuring out how to get whatever legal protection they think they need from EEOC or the court. It is not EEOC's role to automatically let these agencies off the hook by punishing a complainant for filing an action in court. Sincerely, LaVerne B. Jones