Reece-Jennings v. Potter

**What Happened** A postal worker named Reece-Jennings sued the United States Postal Service claiming she was wrongfully fired and discriminated against. However, she did not follow the required procedure before filing her lawsuit - she failed to contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 days of being fired, which is mandatory for federal employees who want to challenge their termination. **What the Court Decided** The court dismissed Reece-Jennings' entire case without considering whether she actually faced discrimination or wrongful termination. The judge ruled that because she missed the 45-day deadline to start the EEO counseling process, she lost her right to sue in court. The Postal Service won the case. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights a critical requirement for federal employees: you must begin the EEO complaint process within 45 days of the incident you're challenging, or you may lose your right to sue entirely. Even if you have a strong discrimination or wrongful termination claim, missing this strict deadline can end your case before it begins. Federal workers should immediately contact an EEO counselor if they believe they've faced workplace discrimination or improper termination.