# Appendix — Occidental Life Insurance v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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## Record

- **Collection:** Supreme Court brief
- **Document type:** Appendix
- **Published:** January 1, 1977
- **Citation:** 432 U.S. 355

## Text

- | Supreme Court, U. S,
FILED

JAN 27 1977 |

APPENDIX.

a iR., CLERK
IN THE

} Supreme Court of the United States

October Term, 1976
No. 76-99

OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CALI-
FORNIA,

Petitioner,
vs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION,
Respondent.

On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Coart of
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

PETITION FOR CERTIORARI FILED JULY 23, 1976.
CERTIORARI GRANTED DECEMBER 13, 1976.

APPENDIX

Page

Chronological List of Relevant Docket Entries in
I IE > Siscintedictdinecbihtdlnndhinincticnennionens App. p.

Exhibit A. Charge of Discrimination.

Affidavit of Dennis H. Vaughn in Support of De-
fendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment ............

Affidavit of Jules H. Gordon in Support of Plain-
tiff Opposition to Defendants Motion for Sum-
mary Judgment or, in the Alternative Partial Sum-
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RIED ° Spiiditininndicerdstandsicsnnciinnriininentninciasmmbinieascnnis
First Amended Answer to Complaint -.....................

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (Rule
3(g) Local Rules of the Central District of
aa sic eanigatenlaneiionns

Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, as Amended, 42 U.S.C. Section
Ee en

14

19

Chronological List of Relevant Docket Entries
in Ninth Circuit.

January 31, 1975—-EEOC Files Notice of Appeal of
District Court Ruling

May 19, 1975—-EEOC Brief Filed

June 30, 1975—Occidental Brief Filed
July 16, 1975—-EEOC Reply Brief Filed
January 6, 1976—Oral Argument Held

May 11, 1976—Ninth Circuit’s Opinion and Judgment
Entered

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| BEST COPY AVAILABLE

a

Affidavit of Dennis H. Vaughn in Support of
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.

United States District Court, Central District of Cali-
fornia.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff, vs. Occidental Life Insurance Company of Cali-
fornia, Defendant. Case No. CV 74-1698-AAH.

Filed: Nov. 8, 1974.

State of California, County of Los Angeles—ss.

Dennis H. Vaughn, being duly sworn, deposes and
says:

I am a member of the law firm of Paul, Hastings,
Janofsky & Walker, am duly admitted to practice before
this Court, and am counsel of record for the Defendant
in this case.

Attached hereto, marked as Exhibit “A”, and in-
corporated herein by reference, is a true and correct
copy of the Charge of Discrimination, dated December
27, 1970, filed with Plaintiff by the Charging Party
herein, Tamar Edelson, against Defendant. In a tele-
phone conversation on October 1, 1974, Jean Hagins,
an attorney with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission Litigation Center in San Francisco, Cali-
fornia, advised affiant that said charge was received
by Plaintiff on or about December 30, 1970 and was
formally filed with Plaintiff on or about March 9,
1971,

The Findings of Fact on said charge, issued by
the District Director of the Equal Employment Oppor-
tunity Commission on or about February 25, 1972,
found that the Charging Party, Tamar Edelson, had

a ee

voluntarily terminated her employment with Defendant
on or about September 9, 1971.

In a telephone conversation on September 3, 1974
with Elizabeth Leavey, an attorney with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission Litigation Center
in San Francisco, California, Ms. Leavey advised affiant
that no notice of the type specified in Section 706(f) (1)
of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was
given by Plaintiff to the Charging Party herein, Tamar
Edelson.

Dated: November 6, 1974.
_ /s/ Dennis H. Vaughn
Dennis H. Vaughn
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day
of November, 1974.

/s/ Irene Hansen
Notary Public in and for
said State and County

[Seal]

a

Affidavit of Jules H. Gordon in Support of Plaintiff
Opposition to Defendants Motion for Summary
Judgment or, in the Alternative Partial Summary

Tudgment.

In the United States District Court for the Central
District of California.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff, v. Occidental Life Insurance Company of Cali-
fornia, Defendant. Civil Action No. 74-1698 AAH.

Filed: Nov. 26, 1974.

Jules H. Gordon, being first duly sworn deposes and
says:

1. I am an employee of the United States Govern-
ment, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
(hereinafter the Commission), serving as Associate
Regional Attorney at the Commission’s San Francisco
Regional Litigation Center.

2. I have been employed by the Commission for
more than 8 years and have previously served as Di-
rector of the Commission’s San Francisco District Office
out of which office this case arose.

3. By virtue of the employment stated above I
am familiar with the administrative file relating to
the charge of discrimination in violation of Title VII
filed with the Commission against the Occidental In-
surance Company of California by Tamar Edelson on
March 9, 1971 (Charge Number TSF1-0634).

4. Ihave examined the files relating to Charge Num-
ber TSF1-0634 for the purpose of this affidavit; The
file contains the following information.

A. Charge Number TSF1-0634 was filed with the
San Francisco District Office of the Commis-

_

sion on March 9, 1971. At that time there
were approximately 1000 charges pending in-
vestigation in that office which had about 8
investigators on its staff. Investigation was com-
menced by service of the charge on August
16, 1971.

On February 25, 1972 after the charge was
investigated by the Commission a copy of the
Commission’s proposed Finding of Facts was
sent to Occidental Insurance Company.

On March 23, 1972 Occidental responded to
the Commission’s proposed Finding of Facts
Stating its exceptions thereto.

On July 13, 1972 the Commission wrote Oc-
cidental inviting it to participate in pre-determi-
nation conciliation discussions. Occidental en-
tered into such discussions and the issuance of a
Commission Determination was stayed pending
the outcome of the pre-determination concilia-
tion efforts.

On October 20, 1972 these initial conciliation
efforts were deemed unsuccessful.

On February 2, 1973 a letter of determination
(See Exhibit 1 attached) was issued by the
Commission which found reasonable cause as
to the charge and as to other violations of
Title VII so related to the charge as to be
appropriate for determination under the regula-
tions of the Commission.

Occidental was at that time invited to [sic] upon
the Determination.

=

On February 26, 1973 Occidental responded
to this invitation, expressing its interest in con-
tinuing discussions and informing the Commis-
sion that the matter had been referred to its
law firm, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky, & Walker.

On March 20, 1973 Dennis Vaughn wrote the
District Office’s conciliator suggesting that fur-
ther conciliation efforts should be with the Com-
mission’s General Counsel. (See letter, attach-
ment 2)

On July 9, 1973, Mr. Vaughn and a number
of officials of Occidental met with a Commis-
sion conciliator at the Commission’s offices in
San Francisco. According to the notes of the
conciliator, at that time Mr. Vaughn requested
that all conciliation efforts be suspended until
a definitive ruling by.the United States Supreme
Court had been handed down which would be
dispositive of the principal issues.

On September 13, 1973 after further corre-
spondence with Occidental, the Commission con-
cluded that conciliation efforts had failed and
so notified Occidental.

On September 13, 1973 the conciliator informed
the Charging Party Tamar Edelson that concilia-
tion had failed and the Charging Party orally
requested that the case be referred to the Com-
mission’s [sic]

5. There is no indication in the administrative file
that Tamar Edelson ever requested or was denied the
issuance of a “right to sue” letter relating to this
charge.

eins

6. There is nothing in the administrative file indicat-
ing that Occidental disputed the Commission’s jurisdic-
tion on the grounds of timeliness or asserted that the
Commission’s time to complete the administrative proc-
ess had expired.

Dated: November 24, 1974

/s/ Jules H. Gordon
JULES H. GORDON

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24 day
of November 1974.

/s/ Erica Black Grubb
Notary Public

State of California
County of San Francisco

[Seal]

ST —_—=-

_

Complaint.

In the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff, vs. Occidental Life Insurance Company of Califor-
nia, Defendant. C 74 0427 ACW

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

Filed: February 22, 1974.

1. Jurisdiction of this Court is invoked pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. Sections 451, 1343, and 1345. This
is an action authorized and instituted pursuant to Sec-
tion 706(f) (1) and (3) and (g) of Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U. S. C. Section
2000e et seq., as amended, 42 U. S. C. Section 2000e
et seq. (Supp II, 1972), hereinafter referred to as
“Title VII.”

2. The unlawful employment practices alleged be-
low were and are now being committed within the State
of California and the Northern Judicial District of
California.

PARTIES

3. Plaintiff, Equal Employment Opportunity Com-
mission, (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission” ),
is an agency of the United States of America charged
with the administration, interpretation and enforcement
of Title VII and is expressly authorized to bring this
action under the provisions of Section 706(f) (1),
42 USC 2000e-5 (f) (1).

4. Since at least July 2, 1965, Defendant Occi-
dental Life Insurance Company of California (herein-
after referred to as the “Defendant”), has continuously

—s

been and is now a corporation doing business in San
Francisco and elsewhere in California, where Defendant
is engaged in the business of selling and servicing
insurance policies across state lines, and has continuous-
ly and does now employ more than twenty-five em-
ployees.

5. Since at least July 2, 1965, Defendant has contin-
uously been and is now an employer engaged in an
industry affecting commerce within the meaning of
Section 701(b), (g) and (h) of Title VII, 42 U.S.C.
Section 2000e(b), (g) and (h).

STATEMENT OF CLAIM

6. On or about March 9, 1971 a charge was filed
with the Commission alleging that Defendant had en-
gaged in unlawful practices under Title VII.

7. The Commission, after investigating and finding
reasonable cause to believe that Defendant had engaged
in unlawful employment practices, has been unable,
through informal methods of conference, conciliation
and persuasion, to secure a conciliation agreement ac-
ceptable to it.

8. Since at least July 2, 1965 and continuously
up until the present time Defendant has intentionally
engaged in unlawful employment practices in violation
of Section 703 of Title VII, including but not limited
to the following:

(a) Defendant discriminates against women employ-
ees because of their sex by failing and refusing to
treat pregnancy-related disabilities in the same manner

—_—
as other temporary disabilities, as exemplified by De-
fendant’s policies and practices involving such matters
as the availability, commencement and duration
of leave, the accrual and retention or seniority and
other benefits and privileges of employment, reinstate-
ment and benefits available in connection with employ-
ment under the company’s health insurance and sick
leave benefits plans, as applied to pregnant employees.

(b) Defendant discriminates against women employ-
ees, because of their sex, by limiting pregnancy-related
benefits under the Company’s health insurance plan
to married employees.

(c) Defendant discriminates against women employ-
ees because of their sex by maintaining discriminatory
provisions in its health insurance and life insurance
plans, both of which provide that where a husband
and wife are both employees of Defendant, only the
husband can provide coverage for their dependent chil-
dren under such plans.

9. Since at least July 2, 1965 and continuously
up until August of 1971, Defendant intentionally dis-
criminated against individuals because of their sex in
violation of Section 703 of Title VII, by

(a) providing pregnancy-related fringe benefits to
wives of male employees under more favorable terms
than to female employees, thereby discriminating against
women employees because of their sex.

(b) denying regularly scheduled salary increases to
women employees in accordance with Defendant’s pol-

— =

icy of requiring pregnaiii employees to terminate their
employment at the end of a fixed number of months
of their pregnancy, thereby discriminating against wo-
men employees because of their sex,

(c) limiting the option of early retirement to women
employees, thereby discriminating against male employ-
ees because of their sex.

10. The effect of the policies and practices com-
plained of in paragraphs 8 and 9 above has been
to deprive individuals of equal employment opportuni-
ties and otherwise adversely effect [sic] their status as
employees because of their sex.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, the Commission respectfully prays
that this Court:

A. Grant a permanent injunction enjoining Defend-
ant, its officers, agents employees, successors, assigns
and all persons in active concert or participation with
it from engaging in any employment practice which
discriminates because of sex.

B. Order Defendant to institute and carry out pol-
icies, practices and affirmative action programs which
provide equal employment opportunities for individuals
and which eradicate the effects of its past and present
unlawful employment practices.

C. Order Defendant to make whole those persons
adversely affected by the unlawful employment practices
described above, by providing appropriate back pay,
with interest, in an amount to be proved at trial
and other affirmative relief necessary to eradicate the
effects of its unlawful employment practices.

—13—
D. Grant such further relief as the Court deems
necessary and proper.
E. Award the Commission its costs in this action.
Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM A. CAREY
General Counsel

WILLIAM ROBINSON

Associate General Counsel

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
COMMISSION

1206 New Hampshire Avenue, N. W.

Washington, D. C. 20506

Telephone: (202) 343-3234

JULES H. GORDON
Associate Regional Attorney

CHARLES DAVID NELSON

Assistant Regional Attorney

DAVID A. GRABHAM

Trial Attorney

/s/ Chris Roggerson

CHRIS ROGGERSON

Regional Attorney

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
COMMISSION

Fox Plaza, Suite 1010, 1390 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94102
Telephone: (415) 556-5876

oniGun
First Amended Answer to Complaint.

United States District Court, Northern District of
California.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff, vs. Occidental Life Insurance Company of Cali-
fornia, Defendant. Civil Action No. C 74 0427 ACW.

Filed: May 8, 1974.

The Defendant, OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, a corporation, answer-
ing Plaintiff's Complaint herein, admits, denies, and
alleges as follows:

1. Answering Paragraph 1, Defendant denies gen-
erally and specifically each and all of the allegations
therein contained.

2. Answering Paragraph 2, Defendant denies gen-
erally and specifically each and all of the allegations
therein contained.

3. Answering Paragraph 3, Defendant admits that
Plaintiff is an agency of the United States of America.
Except as specifically so admitted, Defendant denies
generally and specifically each and all of the remaining
allegations contained in said paragraph.

4. Answering Paragraph 4, Defendant admits the
allegations therein contained.

5. Answering Paragraph 5, Defendant admits the
allegations therein contained.

6. Answering Paragraph 6, Defendant alleges that
it is without knowledge or information sufficient to
form a belief as to the truth thereof.

7. Answering Paragraph 7, Defendant admits that
Plaintiff investigated a charge against Defendant filed
with Plaintiff on or about March 9, 1971, that Plaintiff

—

issued a determination that there was reasonable cause
to believe that said charge was true, thet Plaintiff
thereafter conferred with Defendant with respect to
said charge, and that no Conciliation Agreement was
agreed upon between Plaintiff and Defendant with re-
spect to said charge. Except as specifically so admitted,
Defendant denies generally and specifically each and
all of the remaining allegations contained in said para-
graph.

8. Answering Paragraph 8, Defendant denies gen-
erally and specifically each and all of the allegations
therein contained.

9. Answering Paragraph 9, Defendant denies gen-
erally and specifically each and all of the allegations
therein contained.

10. Answering Paragraph 10, Defendant denies gen-
erally ana specifically each and all of the allegations
therein contained.

FOR A FIRST, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:
11. The Complaint herein fails to state a claim
upon which relief may be granted.
FOR A SECOND, SEPARATE AND AFFIRM-
ATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:
12. The Court has no jurisdiction of the subject
matter of the Complaint herein.
FOR A THIRD, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

13. The Complaint herein was not filed within
the time limitations specified in Title VII of the Civil

=

Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2000(e)
et seq.).

FOR A FOURTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

14. The Complaint herein fails to allege with speci-
ficity that Plaintiff has complied with all of the statutory
prerequisites contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2000(e) et
seq.) to the bringing of this action.

FOR A FIFTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

15. ‘Plaintiff has failed to comply with all of the
statutory prerequisites contained in Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C.
§2000(e) et seq.) to the bringing of this action.

FOR A SIXTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

16. Plaintiff has failed to allege in its Complaint
herein the basis of the original, underlying charge filed
with it against Defendant upon which said Complaint
is purportedly based.

FOR A SEVENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRM-
ATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

17. The allegations contained in the Complaint
herein are outside of the scope of the original, under-
lying charge filed with Plaintiff against Defendant and
upon which said Complaint is purportedly based.

FOR AN EIGHTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRM-
ATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

18. Defendant’s employment policies and insurance
plans complained of in the Complaint herein constitute,

— =

and/or are based upon, bona fide occupational qualifi-
cations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2000(e) et seq.).

FOR A NINTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

19. Defendant’s employment policies and insurance
plans complained of in the Complaint herein are based
on and justified by business necessity.

FOR A TENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMA-
TIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

20. Plaintiff has waived any right to bring this
action by its prior entry into a Conciliation Agreement
with Defendant wherein Plaintiff dropped certain of
the allegations contained in the Complaint herein.

FOR AN ELEVENTH, SEPARATE AND AF-
FIRMATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT AL-
LEGES:

21. Plaintiff is estopped from bringing this action
because of its prior entry into a Conciliation Agreement
with Defendant wherein Plaintiff dropped certain of
the allegations contained in the Complaint herein.

FOR A TWELFTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRM-
ATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT ALLEGES:

22. Plaintiff and Defendant heve previously reached
an accord and satisfaction concerning certain of the
allegations asserted in the Complaint herein.

FOR A THIRTEENTH, SEPARATE AND
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE, DEFENDANT AL-
LEGES:

23. The acts and omissions complained of in the
Complaint herein were done by Defendant, if at all,

— =

in good faith and in conformity with, and in reliance
upon, written interpretations and/or opinions of Plain-
tiff.

WHEREFORE, Defendant prays judgment as fol-
lows:

1. That the Complaint be dismissed;
2. That Plaintiff take nothing from its cause herein;

3. That Defendant be awarded its attorneys’ fees
pursuant to Section 706(k) of Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, amended;

4. That Defendant be awarded its costs of suit
herein; ~ and

5. For such further relief as the court may deem
appropriate.

DATED: = May 6, 1974

PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY
& WALKER

DENNIS H. VAUGHN

HOWARD C. HAY

/s/ By Dennis H. Vaughn

Dennis H. Vaughn

Attorneys for Defendant

Occidental Life Insurance

Company of California

—_ Ss

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (Rule 3(g)
Local Rules of the Central District of California).

United States District Court, Central District of Cali-
fornia.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff, vs. Occidental Life Insurance Company of Califor-
nia, Defendant. Case No. CV 74-1698-AAH.

Filed: Dec. 9, 1974.

This cause came on regularly for hearing on the
Motion of Defendant OCCIDENTAL LIFE INSUR-
ANCE COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, for Summary
Judgment, or in the alternative Partial Summary Judg-
ment, on November 25, 1974, before the Court, the
Honorable A. Andrew Hauk, Judge presiding. Paul,
Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, by Dennis H. Vaughn,
appeared as counsel for Defendant, and Jean A. Hagins
appeared as counsel for Plaintiff. The Court having
read the papers, and having heard the arguments pro-
pounded by the respective parties, and the cause having
been submitted for decision, the Court being fully
advised makes its Findings of Fact and Conclusions
of Law as follows:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. This action is based on a charge of discrimination
filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commis-
sion (hereinafter referred to as “Plaintiff” or “EEOC” )
on March 9, 1971 by a married female employee
who allegedly had been terminated by Defendant on
or about September 30, 1971. That charge alleged
that the Charging Party had been denied benefits which
were afforded by Defendant to male employees and
further that the Charging Party had been terminated
because of her pregnancy.

—20—

2. The Complaint herein was filed on February
22, 1974, in the Northern District of California, and
by order of that Court, upon motion by Defendant,
transferred to this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1404
(a) on May 29, 1974. The Complaint alleges, inter
alia, acts of discrimination by Defendant against unmar-
ried female employees, acts of discrimination by De-
fendant against male employees concerning retirement
benefits, and acts of discrimination by Defendant which
admittedly ceased in August 1971.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. Plaintiff instituted this action for alleged viola-
tions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
as amended. 42 U.S.C. §2000(e) et seq. (hereinaiter
referred to as “Title VII”).

2. Defendant is an employer engaged in an industry
affecting commerce within tt meaning of Section 701
(b) of Title VII.

3. Plaintiff's action herein was instituted under Sec-
tion 706(f)(1) of Title VII, which provides, in relevant
part:

. . if within [180] days from the filing of
such charge . . . the Commission has not filed
a civil action under this section . . ., the Com-
mission . . . shall so notify the person aggrieved
and within [90] days from the giving of such
notice a civil action may be brought against the
respondent named in the charge ... by the
person claiming to be aggrieved...

4. Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII requires the
EEOC to institute court action within 180 days from
the filing of the charge of discrimination sued upon,

—

or, in the case of charges pending at the time the
EEOC was empowered to sue on its own by the
1972 amendments which became effective on March
24, 1972, within 180 days of March 24, 1972. EEOC
v. Cleveland Mills Company, 364 F. Supp. 1235 (W.D.
N.C. 1973), rev'd, 8 EPD 99602 (C.A. 4, 1974);
EEOC v. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company,
368 F. Supp. 633 (N.D. Ala. 1974); EEOC v. Union
Oil of California, 369 F. Supp. 579 (N.D. Ala. 1974);
EEOC v. Griffin Wheel Company, 7 EPD 49202,
7 FEP 484 (N.D. Ala. 1974); EEOC v. Kimberly-
Clark Corp., 7 EPD 49336, 7 FEP 666 (W.D. Tenn.
1974); EEOC v. Berman Bros. Iron & Metal Co.,
7 EPD §9212, 8 FEP 96 (N.D. Ala. 1974); EEOC
v. United States Pipe & Foundry Co., 8 EPD 99446,
7 FEP 977 (N.D. Ala. 1974); EEOC v. General
Dynamics Corp., 8 EPD 49724, 8 FEP 588 (N.D.
Tex. 1974).

5. The Complaint-nerein was not filed until some
36 months after the filing of said charge of discrimina-
tion and some 23 months after March 24, 1972. Accord-
ingly, this action is barred by the 180 day provision
set forth in Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII.

6. Since this action is barred by the 180 day pro-
vision set forth in Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII,
the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this
action.

7. Since this action is barred by the 180 day provi-
sion set forth in Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII, the
Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief
can be granted against Defendant.

8. The California statute of limitations applicable
to this action is California Code of Civil Procedure

—, y

Section 340(3), which sets forth a one year statute
of limitations for such actions.

9. Since this action was not filed within one year
after the alleged discrimination against, and termination
of, the Charging Party took place, this action is barred
by the California statute of limitations. EEOC v. Union
Oil of California, 369 F. Supp. 579 (N.D. Ala. 1974).

10. Since this action is barred by the California
statute of limitations, this Court has no subject matter
jurisdiction over this action.

11. »Since this action is barred by the California
statute of limitations, the Complaint fails to state a
claim upon which relief can be granted against Defend-
ant.

12. The California statute of limitations also bars
those violations alleged in paragraph 9 of the Complaint,
all of which are alleged to have ceased two and a
half years prior to the filing of this action.

13. Since the allegations of paragraph 9 of the
Complaint are barred by the California statute of limi-
tations, this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over
the allegations set forth in paragraph 9 of the Com-
plaint.

14. Since the allegations of paragraph 9 of the
Complaint are barred by the California statute of limi-
tations, said allegations fail to state a claim upon
which relief can be granted against Defendant.

15. Paragraph 8(b) of the Complaint, alleging dis-
crimination against unmarried female employees, and

—

paragraph 9(c) of the Complaint, alleging discrimina-
tion against male employees concerning retirement bene-
fits, are outside the scope of the underlying charge
herein and could not have been raised by the Charging
Party, who could not possibly have personally been
discriminated against by the aforesaid alleged discrimi-
natory actions because she was a married female em-
ployee and thus has no “standing” to raise such alle-
gations. Accordingly, the EEOC has no authority to
institute court action concerning said allegations. San-
chez v. Standard Brands, Inc., 431 F.2d 455 (C.A.
5, 1970); King v. Georgia Power Co., 295 F. Supp.
943 (N.D. Ga. 1968); EEOC v. General Electric
Co., 376 F. Supp. 757 (W.D. Va. 1974); Van Hoomis-
sen v. Xerox Corp., 497 F.2d 180 (C.A. 9, 1974).

16. Since the EEOC has no authority to institute
court action concerning the allegations contained in
paragraphs 8(b) and 9(c) of the Complaint, this Court
lacks subject matter jurisdiction over said allegations.

17. Since the EEOC has no authority to institute
court action concerning the allegations contained in
paragraphs 8(b) and 9(c) of the Complaint, said
allegations fail to state a claim upon which relief can
be granted against Defendant.

18. Section 706(g) of Title VII provides that back
pay “shall not accrue from a date more than two
years prior to the filing of a charge with the Commis-
sion.”

a

—
19. The charge of discrimination herein was filed

on March 9, 1971, yet the Complaint seeks back
pay as far back as July 2, 1965.

20. Since the Complaint seeks back pay for a period
more than two years prior to the filing of the charge
of discrimination on March 9, 1971, the Complaint
fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
against Defendant with respect to back pay for any
period prior to March 9, 1969.

21. There is no material issue of fact, and the
facts show (a) that the entire Complaint herein is
barred by the 180 day provision of Title VII, (b)
the entire Complaint herein is barred by the California
statute of limitations applicable to such actions, (c)
paragraph 9 of said Complaint is barred by the Cali-
fornia statute of limitations, (d) paragraphs 8(b) and
9(c) of said complaint are outside the scope of the
underlying charge and thus the EEOC lacks authority
to sue thereon, and (e) no back pay may be recovered
for any period preceding March 9, 1969.

Dated: December 9, 1974.

/s/ A. Andrew Hauk,
United States District Judge

=

In the United States Court of Appeals, for the Ninth
Circuit.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plain-
tiff-Appellant, v. Occidental Life Insurance Company
of California, Defendant-Appellee. No. 75-1705.

Appeal from the United States District Court for
the Central District of California.

Before: WRIGHT KILKENNY, and TRASK, Circuit
Judges. WRIGHT, Circuit Judge:

In this Title VII action the Equal Employment Op-
portunity Commission (EEOC) appeals from the dis-
trict court’s order of dismissal. We reverse and re-
mand.

I.
PROCEEDINGS BELOW

On December 27, 1970, Tamar Edelson filed with
the EEOC a charge against Occidental Life Insurance
Company (Occidental), alleging that she had been
discriminated against because of her sex. She specified
that “the most recent date on which this discrimination
took place” was October 1, 1970, the date of her
discharge by Occidental.

The EEOC referred the charge to the California
Fair Employment Practices Commission, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 706(c) [42 U.S.C. §
2000e-5(c)]. When that agency took no action, the
charge was formally filed with the EEOC on March
9, 1971.

The EEOC undertook an investigation and, on Feb-
ruary 25, 1972, its District Director issued Findings
of Fact that Occidental had discriminated against Ms.
Edelson and also had discriminated against many other

~~

employees through a variety of practices and policies.
Occidental filed exceptions to the findings on March
23, 1972. The EEOC issued its “Reasonable Cause”
Determination on February 8, 1973 and during the
following year, held a conciliation meeting with Occi-
dental.

When that effort proved unsuccessful, the EEOC
filed this action in district court on February 22, 1974.

That court granted Occidental’s motion to dismiss,

findi».7 that:

1. The EEOC has no authority to file suit more
than 180 days after the filing of the underlying
charge, or where, as here, the charge was filed
prior to the 1972 amendments to Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, more than
180 days after the effective date of such amend-
ments;

2. Alternatively, the EEOC was barred from filing
this suit by the California statute of limitations;

3. Alternatively, the EEOC was barred from pro-
ceeding on paragraphs 8(b) and 9(c) of its
complaint because the allegations contained
therein were outside the scope of the underlying
charge; and

4. In any event, the EEOC was barred from seek-
ing back pay for any alleged violations occur-
ring more than two years prior to the filing
of the underlying charge.

By its appeal herein, the EEOC challenges only
the first three findings by the court.

We hold:

—_— =

(1) The 180-day language of Section 706(f)(1)
[42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)] does not constitute a
limitation upon the EEOC’s ability to sue in its own
name;

(2) This action is not barred by any state limitations
period; and

(3) The EEOC properly included subparagraphs
8(b) and 9(c) in its complaint.

Il.
THE 180-DAY LANGUAGE OF SECTION 706
(f)(1)
Section 706(f)(1) [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)]

states in pertinent part:*
. . « [I]f within one hundred and eighty days
from the filing of such charge . . . the [EEOC]
has not filed a civil action under this section
... the [EEOC] .. . shall so notify the person
aggrieved and within ninety days after the giving
of such notice a civil action may be brought
against the respondent named in the charge (A)
by the person claiming to be aggrieved or (B)
if such charge was filed by a member of the
[EEOC], by any person whom the charge alleges
was aggrieved by the alleged unlawful employment
practice.

The district court found that the above statute precluded
the EEOC from bringing this action.

The statute on its face contains no express limitation
upon suit by the EEOC. Rather, it precludes civil

1Before the 1972 amendment of Section 706(f)(1), the
relevant time periods were 30 days for both the filing of
the charge with the EEOC, and filing suit after receipt of
a right-to-sue letter.

—

action by the charging party for 180 days so that
the EEOC may during that period pursue conciliation.’
If, after 180 days, the EEOC has neither filed a
civil action nor achieved conciliation, the charging party
may demand a “right-to-sue” letter. On receipt of it,
the charging party has 90 days within which to sue.
Should such private action be filed, the EEOC would
apparently be restricted to intervention.*

However, should the person concerned choose not
to sue during the allotted 90 days, the EEOC is not
prohibited from suing thereafter. The statute in no
way limits the time within which it must sue, so long
as the charging party has not done so.*

This issue has been before the Courts of Appeals
for the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Tenth
Circuits. All have ruled that Section 706(f)(1) [42
U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)] does not preclude suit by
the EEOC after the 180-day period has run.°

*The charging party may sue before the 180-day period
has run if:
(a) The EEOC finds no reasonable cause during that
time period [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(b)]}; or
(b) The EEOC dismisses the charge during that time
period {42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f) (1)].

8H.R. Rep. No. 92-238, 92nd Cong., Ist Sess. 12 (1971),
1972 U.S.C.C.A.N. 2148, quoted in Equal Employment Op-
portunity Comm’n v. Duval Corp., 528 F.2d 945, 948 n.
4 (10th Cir. 1976).

‘The sole exception is that the EEOC must wait 30 days
from the filing of the charge before filing suit. [42 U.S.C.
§ 2000e-5(f) (1)]}.

SEqual Employment Opportunity Comm’n v. Duval Corp.,
528 F.2d 945, 947 (10th Cir. 1976); Equal Employment
Opportunity Comm'n v. Meyer Bros. Drug Co., 521 F.2d 1364,
1365 (8th Cir. 1975); Equal Employment Opportunity Comm'n
v. E.l. duPont de Nemours and Co., 516 F.2d 1297 (3rd
Cir. 1975); Equal Employment Opportunity Comm'n v. Kim-

—

Finding this avalanche of authority most persuasive,
we adopt the rule that the 180-day language of Section
706(f£)(1) does not constitute a limitation upon the
EEOC’s ability to sue in its own name. We conclude

that the district court erred in barring this suit on
the basis of the 180-day language in Section 706(f)(1).

Ill

APPLICABILITY OF RELEVANT
STATE LIMITATIONS PERIOD

The district court held alternatively that the EEOC
suit was barred by the one-year California statute of
limitations found in California Code of Civil Procedure
§340(3).

We have already determined that Section 706(f)(1)
[42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)] does not require the
EEOC to file suit within 180 days of the date the
private charge is filed with that agency. There being
no other portion of Title VII susceptible of interpreta-
tion as a limitation on the time within which the
EEOC must bring suit, we find that there is simply
no governing federal limitations period. See Equal Em-
ployment Opportunity Comm'n vy. Griffin Wheel Co.,
511 F.2d 456, 458, aff'd on rehearing, 521 F.2d 223,
(Sth Cir. 1975).

It is well established that in a private civil rights
action, where Congress has not provided a statute
of limitations, the state statute applied to similar liti-

berly-Clark Corp., 511 F.2d 1352, 1356-59 (6th Cir. 1975);
Equal Employment Opportunity Comm'n v. Louisville and Nash-
ville R.R., 505 F.2d 610 (Sth Cir. 1974); Equal Employment
Opportunity Comm’n vy. Cleveland Mills, 502 F.2d 153 (4th
Cir. 1974). See also Equal Employment Opportunity Comm'n
v. Local 41, Bartenders’ International Union, 369 F. Supp.
827, 829-31 (N.D. Cal. 1973).

=

gation will be applied to the federal action. Johnson
v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., 421 US. 454, 462
(1975), and cases cited therein; Griffin v. Pacific
Maritime Ass'n, 478 F.2d 1118, 1119 (9th Cir. 1973).

In its complaint the EEOC seeks both injunctive
relief and back pay. By its prayer for injunctive relief
the EEOC promotes public policy and seeks to vindicate
rights belonging to the United States as sovereign.
Thus, the EEOC’s request for injunctive relief is not
subject to any state limitations period. Griffin Wheel,
supra, 511 F.2d at 459; Kimberly-Clark, supra, 511
F.2d at 1359-60. Cf. United States v. Summerlin, 310
U.S. 414 (1940). The district court erred insofar as
it barred EEOC’s request for injunctive relief on the
basis of the California limitations period.®

We consider the request for back pay. Occidental
argues that, even though the EEOC is party plaintiff,
“fijmsofar as the . . . suit constitutes a proper legal
conduit for the recovery of sums due individual citi-
zens rather than the treasury, it is a private and not
a public action.” United States v. Georgia Power, 474
F.2d 906, 923 (Sth Cir. 1973), quoted in Griffin
Wheel, supra, 511 F.2d at 458.

Since we cannot agree that EEOC’s request for back
pay must be treated as “private” in nature, we believe
the district court erred in applying the California limi-
tations period to bar the back pay request.

Our starting point is the recent statement of the
Supreme Court in Franks v. Bowman Transp. Co., ....
US. ...., 44 USLW 4356 (Mar. 24, 1976): “[C]laims

*We express no opinion as to which, if any, state limitations
statute would apply had an individual or a class, rather than
the EEOC, been party plaintiff.

a
under Title VII involve the vindication of a major
public interest... .” Id. at ......... n.40, 44 USLW

at 4365 n.40, quoting Section-By-Section Analysis, ac-
companying the Equal Employment Opportunity Act
of 1972—Conference Report, 118 Cong. Rec. 7166,
7168 (1972).

The Court in Albermarle Paper Co. v. Moody, 422
U.S. 405 (1975), discussed in some detail the nature
of Title VII claims for backpay:

As the Court observed in Griggs v. Duke Power
Co., 401 U.S., at 429-430, the primary objective
[of Title VII] was a prophylactic one:

“It was to achieve equality of employment op-
portunities and remove barriers that have oper-
ated in the past to favor an indentifiable group
of white employees over other employees.”

Backpay has an obvious connection with this pur-
pose. If employers faced only the prospect of
an injunctive order, they would have iittle incentive
to shun practices of dubious legality. It is the
reasonably certain prospect of a backpay award
that “provide|s| the spur or catalyst which causes
employers and unions to self-examine and to self-
evaluate their employment practices and tc en-
deavor to eliminate, so far as possible, the last
vestiges of an unfortunate and ignominious page
in this country’s history.” United States v. N. L.
Industries, Inc., 479 F.2d 354, 379 (CA8 1973).

It is also the purpose of Title VII to make
persons whole for injuries suffered on account
of unlawful employment discrimination.

Id. at 417-18. (Emphasis added.)

~~ eS

That an award of back pay promotes the primary
statutory objective of deterrence’ was also noted by
the Sixth Circuit in Meadows v. Ford Motor Company,
510 F.2d 939, 948 (6th Cir. 1975).

The Moody Court noted that “[t]he backpay pro-
vision [of Title VII] was expressly modeled on the
backpay provision of the National Labor Relations
Act.” 422 U.S. at 419 and n.11. It is established
doctrine that a back pay order under Section 10(c)
of the National Labor Relations Act [29 U.S.C. §
160(c)}| “‘is a reparation order designed to vindicate
the public policy of the statute by making the employees
whole~ for losses suffered on account of an unfair
labor practice.” National Labor Relations Board v.
J. H. Rutter-Rex. Mfg. Co., 396 U.S. 258, 263 (1969),
quoting Nathanson vy. National Labor Relations Board,
344 US. 25, 27 (1952).

It is true, of course, that whenever a party obtains
relief under a federal statute, public policy is vindicated
even though direct, immediately cognizable benefits
may flow only to the individual. Thus, for example,
a private action under Title 42 U.S.C. § 1981 is subject
to state limitations periods despite the fact that. such
recovery may be said to promote the public policy
embodied in the statute. See Johnson, supra, 421 US.
454 (1975).

But certain federal acts, such as the National Labor
Relations Act, are intended to be broadly prophylactic

TThe Court in Moody stated (at
“backpay should be denied only for reasons which, if
applied generally, would not frustrate the central statutory
purposes of eradicating discrimination throughout the econ-
omy and making persons whole for injuries suffered through
past discrimination.”
422 U.S. at 421. (Emphasis added.)

ek

ORE nie 6 ai OO wep, me sla. we"

culties

as well as remedial. See Section 1 [29 U.S.C. § 151].
Several circuits, including our own, have recognized
that back pay orders promote the prophylactic as well
as the remedial purposes of the National Labor Rela-
tions Act.*

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) does
not pursue the “adjudication of private rights.” Rather,
it “acts in a public capacity to give effect to the
declared public policy of the Act. . . .” National
Licorice Co. v. National Labor Relations Board, 309
U.S. 350, 362 (1940). “The fact that these proceedings
[may] operate to confer an incidental benefit on private
persons does not detract from this public purpose.”
Nabors v. National Labor Relations Board, 323 F.2d
686, 688-89 (Sth Cir. 1963).

Accordingly, the NLRB, as an agency of the United
States seeking enforcement of public rights, is not bound
by state limitations statutes even when seeking back
pay. Nabors, supra, at 688. See also J. H. Rutter-
Rex Mfg. Co. v. National Labor Relations Board,
399 F.2d 356, 358, 362, 364 (Sth Cir. 1968), rev'd
on other grounds, 396 U.S. 258 (1969).°

8Marriott Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board, 491
F.2d 367, 371 (9th Cir. 1974); National Labor Relations
Board v. United Marine Division, Local 33, National Maritime
Union, AFL-CIO, 417 F.2d 865, 868 (2nd Cir. 1969); Trinity
Valley Iron & Steel Co. v. National Labor Relations Board,
410 F.2d 1161, 1168 (Sth Cir. 1969); Nabors v. National
Labor Relations Board, 323 F.2d 686, 688-89 (Sth Cir. 1963).

In Rutter-Rex, after ruling that state limitations statutes
did not apply to the NLRB’s action, the Fifth Circuit modified
the Board’s order because of inordinate administrative delay
to the prejudice of defendant. The Supreme Court reversed
and ordered enforcement of the back pay order in its entirety.
In doing so, the Court assumed the inapplicability of state
limitations periods.

— =

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 grew out of Congres-
sional awareness of the continued, pervasive discrimina-
tion against minorities, particularly Negroes, in voting,
access to public facilities, public education and employ-
ment. As the Committee on the Judiciary of the House
of Representatives reported:

Considerable progress has been made in elimi-
nating discrimination in many areas. . . . Never-
theless, in the last decade it has become increasing-
ly clear that progress has been too slow and
that national legislation is required to meet a
national need which becomes ever more obvious.

. [This Act] is designed as a step toward
eradicating significant areas of discrimination on
a nationwide basis. It is general in application
and national in scope.

H. Rep. No. 914, 1964 U.S.C.C.A.N. 2391, 2393
(1964).

Thus, despite the existence in 1964 of such
remedial statutes as the Civil Rights Acts of 1866,
1870 and 1871 [42 U.S.C. §§ 1981-88], Congress be-
lieved that some additional federal action was necessary
to further the public objective of elimination of nation-
wide discrimination.” It decided that this objective
could best be pursued by federal agency enforcement.

The original Section 706 of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, 78 Stat. 259-61, established an enforcement
scheme to be implemented primarily by the EEOC.
In 1972 Congress made it even more clear that “the

10In Johnson, supra, the Court made clear the “
distinct and independent” remedies available under Title 42
U.S.C. § 1981 on the one hand, and Title VII on the other.

421 US. at 461.

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=

vast majority of complaints will be handled through
the offices of the EEOC or the Attorney General.
. . »” Section-By-Section Analysis, supra, 118 Cong.
Rec. at 7168.

The basic function of the EEOC, as with the NLRB,
is to prevent and eliminate unlawful employment “prac-
tices and devices,” primarily through “conference, con-
ciliation, and persuasion.” Alexander v. Gardner-Denver
Co., 415 U.S. 36, 44 (1974); Section 706(a) & (b)
[42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(a) & (b)]. The EEOC has
the power to investigate, promote voluntary compliance,
and bring suit upon failure of conciliation efforts."

The EEOC vindicates public policy by suing in
federal court, as does the NLRB by seeking enforcement
of its orders in the courts of appeals. This is so
regardless of the type of relief sought by either. As
in labor law, so in Title VII law, the fact that private
parties may benefit from public agency action does
not detract from the public nature of those proceed-
ings.

We are aware that the Fifth Circuit has reached
a contrary result in at least two cases. Griffin Wheel,
supra, 511 F.2d at 458-59; Georgia Power, supra,
474 F.2d at 922-23. We decline to follow its lead.

Both of those cases were decided before the Supreme
Court decisions in Moody, supra, and Franks, supra.
Moreover, the court in Georgia Power, 474 F.2d at
921, relied on the decision of the Supreme Court
in Rutter-Rex, supra, but ignored the Court’s statement
therein that “back pay ... is .. . designed to
vindicate . . . public policy... .” 396 U.S. at 263.

“Unlike the NLRB, the EEOC has no adjudicative powers.
Yet the NLRB must itself seek court enforcement of its orders.

~ 2

Occidental directs our a.:utic” « the Court’s deci-
sion in Johnson, su;ra. The Court there held that
a federal cause of action under Title 42 U.S.C. § 1981
was governed by “the most appropriate [limitation pe-
riod] provided by state law.” 421 U.S. at 462. However,
Johnson involved a private claimant litigating under
Section 1981, while this case involves a public agency
enforcing Title VII rights.

Also, the Johnson Court did not qualify its holding
according to the type of relief sought. Indeed, by
discussing the availatility under Section 1981 of “both
equitaisie and legal relief,” 421 U.S. at 460, the Court
intimated that state limitations periods would apply
to private actions brought under Section 1981, regard-
less of the type of relief sought.

Earlier in this opinion we joined the Fifth and Sixth
Circuits, in Griffin Wheel and Kimberly-Clark respec-
tively, in ruling that state limitations periods do not
govern the EEOC’s request for injunctive relief. Nothing
in Johnson dictates a contrary conclusion. Similarly,
Johnson does not preclude us from concluding that
a request by the EEOC for back pay, in vindication
of public policy, is likewise immune from state limita-
tions” periods.”

There are sound practical considerations in support
of our conclusion. First, subjecting the EEOC to state

12]t appears that the EEOC would likewise be immune
from the defense of laches. Cf. United States v. Summerlin,
310 U.S. 414, 416 (1940); Nabors v. National Labor Relations
Board, 323 F.2d 686, 688 (Sth Cir. 1963). But see Griffin
Wheel, supra, 511 F.2d at 459 n.5; Georgia Power, supra,
474 F.2d at 923. However, since the issue was not raised
herein, we need not address it.

18The court in Kimberly-Clark seemed to so conclude, al-

it did not make clear what type of relief was at issue.
511 F.2d at 1359-60.

= =

limitations periods, often as short as one year,’* would
frustrate its attempts to resolve disputes by means
of administrative “conference, conciliation, and per-
suasion,” [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(b)], rather than by
court action.”

Second, it wcuid be cumbersome to determine the
applicability of state limitations statutes according to
the type of relief sougt:t. As the Sixth Circuit stated
in Meadows, supra, 510 F.2d at 945-46:

“(Back pay] may not properly be viewed as a
mere adjunct of some more basic equity. It is
properly viewed as an integral part of the whole
of relief which seeks not to punish the respondent
but to compensate the victim of discrimination.”

It is unreasonable to give the EEOC an open ticket
for equitable relief, but to impose time constraints
on back pay claims even though they are “an integral
part of the whole of relief” sought.

Third, Section 706(g) [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(g)]
provides: “Back pay liability shall not accrue from
a date more than two years prior to the filing of
a charge with the Commission [EEOC].” Thus, an
employer need not produce past employment records
except for the period of time the charge is pending,
and the preceding two years.

Finally, despite the absence of a controlling federal
limitations period, at least two factors are at work

14See, e.g., Johnson, supra, 421 U.S. at 462 & n.7; Griffin
Wheel, supra, 511 F.2d at 459.

Clearly the cause of action “accrues” on the last date
on which the allegedly unlawful act or practice occurs. Col-
lins v. United Airlines, Inc., 514 F.2d 594, 596 & n.2 (9th
Cir. 1975); Griffin Wheel, supra, 511 F.2d at 459 n.6. Cf.
Johnson, supra, 421 U.S. at 462.

= =

to minimize EEOC dalliance. First, the charging party
may demand a right-to-sue letter should the EEOC
fail to obtain voluntary compliance or to sue within
180 days of the original filing. Section 706(f)(1)
[42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)]; Johnson, supra, 421
U.S. at 458. Second, in extreme cases a federal district
court could compel agency action, See Sections 6(b)
and 10e(A) of the Administrative Procedure Act [5
U.S.C. §§ 555(b), 706(1)]. Cf. National Labor Rela-
tions Board v. J. H. Rutter-Rex Mfg. Co., 396 US.
258, 266 & n. 3 (1969) (dictum).

We conclude that the district court erred insofar
as it barred the EEOC’s back pay claim on the basis
of the California limitations period.

IV.
SCOPE OF THE EEOC’S COMPLAINT

In her original charge filed with the EEOC, Ms.
Edelson alleged that Occidental refused, on account
of sex, to provide her with maternity leave, other
pregnancy benefits, insurance, vacation benefits and
seniority rights.

In the course of its investigation the EEOC discov-
ered apparent discrimination against unmarried female
employees in the distribution of “pregnancy-related ben-
efits.” It also discovered apparent discrimination against
male employees in the administration of the retirement
system. Although these forms of alleged discrimination
were not mentioned in the original charge, the EEOC
included them in subparagraphs 8(b) and 9(c) of
its complaint. Occidental argued successfully below that
these charges should be: dismissed as being outside
the scope of the original charge.

+ ll he te OES AL hie

—- =

As amended in 1972, Section 710 of Title VII
provides:
For the purpose of all hearings and investigations
conducted by the [EEOC] or its duly authorized
agents or agencies, section 11 of the National
Labor Relations Act (49 Stat. 455; 29 U.S.C.
161) shall apply.

[86 Stat. 109; 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-9]

While the investigation in this case preceded the 1972
amendment of Section 710, it is clear that the prior
statute was similar in scope. See Motorola, Inc. v.
McLain, 484 F.2d 1339, 1342-44 (7th Cir. 1973);
Graniteville Co. v. Equal Employment Opportunity
Comm'n, 438 F.2d 32, 39 (4th Cir. 1971).

Section 11(1) of the National Labor Relations Act
[29 U.S.C. § 161(1)] provides in part that the NLRB
may gain access to “any evidence of any person being
investigated or proceeded against that relates to any
matter under investigation or in question.” This lan-
guage was given a broad reach in National Labor
Relations Board v. Wyman-Gordon Co., 394 U.S. 759,
768 (1969).

Section 709(a) of Title VII [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-
8(a)] today provides, as it did in 1964:
In connection with any investigation of a charge
filed under section 706, the Commission or its
designated representative shall at all reasonable
times have access to, for the purposes of examina-
tion, and the right to copy any evidence of any
person being investigated or proceeded against
that relates to unlawful employment practices cov-
ered by this title and is relevant to the charge
under investigation.

— =

Had Occidental believed that the EEOC’s investi-
gation exceeded the permissible statutory scope, it could
have refused the EEOC’s demand for access and sought
adjudication of its rights."* Occidental did not do so.
Thus we can only conclude that the EEOC investiga-
tion was reasonable and that the information supporting
the allegations in subparagraphs 8(b) and 9(c) was
acquired during that reasonable investigation.

In Equal Employment Opportunity Comm'n v. Gen-
eral Electric Co., .... F.2d ...., .... (4th Cir. Jan. 22,
1976), the Fourth Circuit held:

So long as [discovery of| the new discrimination
arises out of the reasonable investigation of the
charge filed, it can be the subject of a “reasonable
cause” determination, to be followed by an offer
by the Commission of conciliation, and, if con-
ciliation fails, by a civil suit, without the filing
of a new charge on such claim of discrimination.
In other words, the original charge is sufficient
to support action by the EEOC as well as a
civil suit under the Act for any discrimination
stated in the charge itself or {discovered| in the
course of a reasonable investigation of that charge,
provided such discrimination was included in the
reasonable cause determination of the EEOC and
was followed by compliance with the conciliation
procedures fixed in the Act.

16See Local No. 104, Sheet Metal Workers International
Ass'n v. Equal Employment Opportunity Comm’n, 439 F.2d
237, 241-43 (9th Cir. 1971); Circle K Corp. v. Equal Em-
ployment Opportunity Comm'n, 501 F.2d 1052 (10th Cir.
1974); Joslin Dry Goods Co. v. Equal Employment Opportunity
Comm'n, 482 F.2d 178 (10th Cir. 1973); Motorola, Inc.
v. McLain, supra; Graniteville Co., supra.

— =

(Emphasis in original.) Accord, Equal Employment
Opportunity Comm'n v. Huttig Sash & Door Co., 511
F.2d 453, 455 (Sth Cir. 1975); Equal Employment
Opportunity Comm’n v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., 511
F.2d 1352, 1363 (6th Cir. 1975). We agree with
the reasoning of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Circuits.”

In this case, Occidental received adequate notice
during administrative investigation of the substance of
the issues subsequently raised in subparagraphs 8(b)
and 9(c) of the EEOC’s complaint. Reference was
made to those issues in both the District Director’s
Findings of Fact (February 25, 1972), and the EEOC’s
Determination of Reasonable Cause (February 8,
1973). Thus the EEOC complied with the statute by
presenting these issues for conciliation. See Section
706(f£)(1) [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1)].

We note that the EEOC itself could independently
bring charges based upon the information it reasonably
acquired during the investigation of Ms. Edelson’s
charge. See Section 706(b) [42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(b) ].
To require the EEOC to pursue that route, rather
than allowing it to include the new charges along
with the original one in a single Determination of

1TIn so agreeing we do not depart in any respect from
our recent decision in Oubichon v. North American Rockwell
Corp., 482 F.2d 569 (9th Cir. 1973), in which we stated:
“When an employee seeks judicial relief for incidents
not listed in his original charge to the EEOC, the judicial
complaint nevertheless may encompass any discrimination
like or reasonably related to the allegations of the EEOC
charge, including new acts occurring during the pendency

of the charge before the EEOC.”

Id. at 571.

Oubichon involved the complaint of a private party, he being
subject to traditional notions of standing. We deal here with
a complaint filed by a public agency seeking vindication of
public rights.

— =

Reasonable Cause, would be to champion form over
substance and to generate “an inexcusable waste of
valuable administrative resources” and “intolerable de-
lay,” in violation of statutory purpose. General Electric,
supra, .... F.2d at ..... 11 C.C.H.—Empl. Prac. Dec.
at 6614.

It remains true that Ms. Edelson would not have
had “standing” to charge Occidental with discrimination
against unmarried female employees (Ms. Edelson was
married), or against male employees with respect to
retirement. However, as we have discussed earlier, the
EEOC is charged with the vindication of public policy,
not merely with the enforcement of private rights.
In this case, enforcement by the EEOC of the objec-
tives to Title VII should not be frustrated because
a private charging party may not have had “standing”
to make a particular claim.

Finally, it is argued that “amendment” by the EEOC
of the original charge may operate to the detriment
of the charging party. In this case such a result is
speculative. In any case, the charging party should
be able to intervene in either the administrative or
judicial proceeding to insure that his or her rights
are fully protected. See Section 706(f)(1) [42 U.S.C.
§ 2000e-5(f)(1)].

For the above reasons, we conclude that the district
court erred in dismissing subparagraphs 8(b) and 9(c)
of the EEOC’s complaint.

ee

_—

V.
CONCLUSION

The judgment of the district court is reversed and
the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.

Section 706(f)(1) of Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, as Amended, 42 U.S.C. Section
2000e-5(f)(1) (1976).

(f)(1) If within thirty days after a charge is filed
with the Commission or within thirty days after expira-
tion of any period of reference under subsection (c)
or (d), the Commission has been unable to secure
from the respondent a conciliation agreement acceptable
to the Commission, the Commission may bring a civil
action against any respondent not a government, govern-
mental agency, or political subdivision named in the
charge. In the case of a respondent which is a govern-
ment, governmental agency, or political subdivision,
if the Commission has been unable to secure from
the respondent a conciliation agreement acceptable to
the Commission, the Commission shall take no further
action and shall refer the case to the Attorney General
who may bring a civil action against such respondent
in the appropriate United States district court. The
person or persons aggrieved shall have the right to
intervene in a civil action brought by the Commission
or the Attorney General in a case involving a govern-
ment, governmental agency, or political subdivision.
If a charge filed with the Commission pursuant to
subsection (b) is dismissed by the. Commission, or
if within one hundred and eighty days from the filing
of such charge or the expiration of any period of

ee

reference under subsection (c) or (d), whichever is
later, the Commission has not filed a civil action under
this section or the Attorney General has notified a
civil action in a case involving a government, govern-
mental agency, or political subdivision, or the Commis-
sion has uot entered into a conciliation agreement
to which the person aggrieved is a party, the Commis-
sion, or the Attorney General in a case involving
a government, governmental agency, or political subdi-
vision, shall so notify the person aggrieved and within
ninety days after the giving of such notice a civil
action may be brought against the respondent named
in the, charge (A) by the person claiming to be ag-
grieved, or (B) if such charge was filed by a member
of the Commission, by any person whom the charge
alleges was aggrieved by the alleged unlawful employ-
ment practig¢e. Upon application by the complainant
and in such circumstances as the court may deem
just, che court may appoint an attorney for such com-
plainant and may authorize the commencement of the
action without the payment of fees, costs, or security.
Upon timely application, the court may, in its discretion,
permit the Commission, or the Attorney General in
a case involving a government, governmental agency,
or political subdivisoin, to intervene in such civil action
upon certification that the case is of general public
importance. Upon request, the court may, in its discre-
tion, stay further proceedings for not more than sixty
days pending the termination of State or local proceed-
ings described in subsections (c) or (d) of this section
or further efforts of the Commission to obtain volun-
tary compliance.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40385004_0327%3A02. Public record. Not legal advice.
