ORDER RE DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

SHARON L. GLEASON, District Judge.

This is an action for employment discrimination that George Coleman initiated in January 2011. Defendant Patrick R. Donahoe has moved for summary judgment on all claims that Mr. Coleman has brought against him.1 The motion has been fully briefed by the parties2 and oral argument was held in Anchorage on July 23, 2012.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

George Coleman is an African American male who was employed by the United States Postal Service ("USPS") for approximately thirty years. Mr. Donahoe is the Postmaster General of the USPS and is named in this action in his official capacity. In February 2008, Mr. Coleman, who had been in a management position, was demoted to a clerk position and assigned to the USPS' Muldoon Station location. Mr. Coleman's claims arise from the circumstances surrounding that demotion, his subsequent employment at the Muldoon Station, and his early retirement from the USPS in December 2008.

The facts, presented in the light most favorable to the plaintiff for purposes of this summary judgment motion, are as follows: Mr. Coleman began working for the USPS as a clerk in October 1978 and was employed by that agency until December 31, 2008.3 Mr. Coleman held several positions while at the USPS4 and received multiple positive performance evaluations.5 His last management position was as Manager of Statistical Programs (EAS-21), a position he held from 1997 until his demotion in February 2008.6

In approximately 1991, Mr. Coleman unsuccessfully applied for the position of Transportation Requirements Specialist (EAS-15).7 He filed an EEO complaint at that time against two USPS employees involved in the selection process, alleging that the failure to hire him was discriminatory.8 The USPS then offered Mr. Coleman another position to settle the dispute, which Mr. Coleman accepted.9

Between 2004 and 2007, Mr. Coleman was the subject of three EEO complaints that alleged he had engaged in inappropriate conduct toward women.10 Two of these complaints may have arisen from the same incident11 and Mr. Coleman alleges they were brought by an employee who was later fired for unrelated dishonesty.12 Mr. Coleman disputes the legitimacy of all three of these complaints, but only the most recent one appears to be directly relevant to this case.13

As a result of the last of these incidents, Mr. Coleman received a Notice of Proposed Removal from the USPS on December 28, 2007 informing him that his termination had been recommended.14 Mr. Coleman responded by filing an EEO complaint.15 On February 5, 2008, Mr. Coleman met with his supervisor in an effort to settle the dispute.16 Mr. Coleman's union representative attended the meeting with him.17

The parties reached a settlement at that meeting. The terms of that settlement provided that the Notice of Proposed Removal would be converted to a "Final Written Warning in Lieu of Termination" and that Mr. Coleman would be demoted to a PS-05 position, with seniority "one day less than the junior unassigned regular" employee.18

After his demotion, Mr. Coleman worked as an unassigned regular employee at a PS-05 position at the Muldoon Station from February 2008 until he went on medical leave on August 4, 2008. While employed at the Muldoon Station, Mr. Coleman has testified that postal management made him exceed his physical work restrictions, forced him to sort mail without assistance, required him to travel from station to station during the workday, micromanaged his work, and assigned him allegedly humiliating duties.19

In April 2008, Mr. Coleman applied for the position of Retail Specialist at a level EAS-16.20 Mr. Coleman was interviewed for this position.21 He was informed by a letter dated July 16, 2008 that he had not been selected.22 The position was awarded to a white male.23

On July 1, 2008, Mr. Coleman applied for another position, a Small Business Specialist.24 He was not selected for an interview for that position. Subsequently, a hiring freeze took effect and the position remained unfilled.25

On August 4, 2008, Mr. Coleman went on approved FMLA leave.26 On August 8, 2008, Mr. Coleman received a document about a Voluntary Early Retirement Option offered by the USPS.27 The document is addressed to postmasters, managers, and supervisors and appears to have been widely distributed.28

On August 23, 2008, 38 days after being notified of his non-selection for the Retail Specialist position, Mr. Coleman requested a meeting with a Dispute Resolution Specialist with the USPS EEO Office.29 Upon receipt of this appointment request, the EEO sent an Information for Pre-Complaint Counseling form to Mr. Coleman to complete.30

While at the USPS, Mr. Coleman had physical work restrictions that ranged at various times from 10 to 70 pounds.31 On August 25, 2008, while on FMLA leave, Mr. Coleman received a letter notice from the USPS Human Resources Manager that his physical work restrictions at that time did not meet the minimum requirements of his position.32 He was directed to provide medical documentation that demonstrated he would be able to occasionally lift up to 70 pounds within six months, or he could be removed from the USPS.33

On August 28, 2008, Mr. Coleman applied for Voluntary Early Retirement with an effective date of December 31, 2008.34 The application provided that it could be withdrawn by September 30, 2008.35

By letter dated September 3, 2008, Mr. Coleman was assigned to a residual vacancy and directed to submit a bid card indicating his preferred assignment.36 He was also informed then that if he did not submit a bid card by September 11, 2008, he would be assigned to a position after all the returned cards had been processed, and that failure to qualify for an assigned position could result in removal from the USPS.37 Mr. Coleman submitted a bid card dated September 10, 2008 for three positions.38 His bid card was stamped as received by the USPS on September 12, 2008.39 Mr. Coleman was informed by a letter dated September 11, 2008 that he was the only employee who had not returned a bid card and that he was being assigned to a Sales position at the Muldoon Station,40 a position he had not bid for.41 He was notified that the position required scheme qualification and training42 if he was not already qualified, that the training could not be delayed because of physical work restrictions, and that failure to qualify for the position could result in removal.43

On September 7, 2008, Mr. Coleman submitted to the USPS EEO Office the Information for Pre-Complaint Counseling form that was sent to him after his August 23, 2008 appointment request.44 In this form, he alleged that "the latest discriminatory act" toward him had occurred on September 6, 2008 when he received a letter stating that he was being assigned to a residual vacancy and threatening him with potential removal from the USPS if he failed to qualify — presumably Mr. Coleman was referring to the September 3, 2008 letter discussed above. Mr. Coleman described the resolution he sought as "Retire, as per my Request for Early Retirement on 12/31/2008. To be made whole, in all respects."45 Mr. Coleman did not specifically reference any position he had applied for in this form.

Mr. Coleman did not withdraw his early retirement application, so it became irrevocable at the end of September 2008, when the thirty-day withdrawal period expired.

On October 18, 2008, Mr. Coleman made another request for an appointment with a Dispute Resolution Specialist.46 On October 28, 2008, Mr. Coleman submitted another Pre-Complaint Counseling form.47 In that form, he expressly alleged that he applied for but was denied the Retail Specialist position and two Small Business Specialist positions in Anchorage USPS offices.48 This is the earliest document in the record in which Mr. Coleman explicitly raised his non-selection for these positions as the basis for a claim. Mr. Coleman described the resolution he sought as "(1) Promotion to position (2) Back pay (3) Emotional Distress (4) Damages for Constructive Discharge if I am forced to take early Retirement."49

On October 31, 2008, Mr. Coleman and his attorney attended a mediation to address his pending EEO claims, but no resolution was achieved.50 By letter dated November 19, 2008, Mr. Coleman was notified of his right to pursue a formal claim with the EEOC.51

Mr. Coleman retired from the USPS on December 31, 2008.52 He had not returned to work at the USPS after he went on FMLA leave on August 4, 2008.53

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

I. Mr. Coleman's Formal EEO Complaint.

On December 3, 2008, prior to his retirement, Mr. Coleman filed a formal complaint of discrimination with the USPS EEO Office.54 Mr. Coleman was represented by counsel during that process.55 The formal complaint alleged:

On January 6, 2009 the USPS EEO Office partially accepted for review and partially dismissed Mr. Coleman's complaint as follows:57

The EEO Office then conducted an investigation of the claims it had accepted.62 On March 8, 2009, it issued a 29-page Investigative Summary that described the evidence related to the claims it had accepted for investigation.63 Mr. Coleman sought review by an EEOC Administrative Judge.64

In August 2009, the Administrative Judge granted Mr. Coleman's request to reinstate his hostile work environment claim.65 On December 2, 2010, the Administrative Judge issued a Decision without a Hearing pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1614.107(g)(3), which authorizes the issuance of a decision without a hearing when "some or all facts are not in genuine dispute."66 Applying the federal summary judgment standard, the Administrative Judge issued a 13-page decision in favor of the Postal Service with respect to all of Mr. Coleman's remaining claims.67

II. Mr. Coleman's Complaint in this Action.

Mr. Coleman, now representing himself, filed the Complaint that initiated this action on January 18, 2011.68 He alleges that after his demotion in February 2008, he applied for but was denied interviews and promotions for the positions of Retail Specialist (EAS-16) and Small Business Specialist (EAS-16), which he maintains were given to less qualified individuals. Mr. Coleman also asserts that he was treated differently than white males who were accused of sexual harassment. He adds he was subjected to continual harassment and repeated Fitness-for-Duty requests after his demotion. He asserts these actions constituted a constructive discharge that forced him into early retirement.69 In addition, Mr. Coleman alleges that he repeatedly requested the records of the complaints against him that led to his demotion, but has not received them.70

Mr. Coleman claims that as a result of these discriminatory actions, he has suffered "financial hardships, mental anguish, medical issues, and loss of credit rating."71 He seeks lost wages and benefits totaling $560,821.00 as well as punitive damages.72

The Defendant filed this Motion for Summary Judgment on April 5, 2012, seeking summary judgment on all of Mr. Coleman's claims.73 Mr. Coleman opposed on April 30, 201274 and the Defendant replied on May 7, 2012.75 Questions for oral argument were distributed on July 5, 201276 and oral argument was held on July 23, 2012.77

DISCUSSION

I. Jurisdiction.

The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1343.

II. Summary Judgment Standard.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a) directs a court to "grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." The burden of showing the absence of a genuine dispute of material fact lies with the moving party.78 If the moving party meets this burden, the non-moving party must present specific factual evidence demonstrating the existence of a genuine issue of fact.79 The non-moving party may not rely on mere allegations or denials.80 He must demonstrate that enough evidence supports the alleged factual dispute to require a finder of fact to make a determination at trial between the parties' differing versions of the truth.81

When considering a motion for summary judgment, a court must accept as true all evidence presented by the non-moving party, and draw "all justifiable inferences" in the non-moving party's favor.82 To reach the level of a genuine dispute, the evidence must be such as "would allow a reasonable fact-finder to return a verdict for the non-moving party."83 The non-moving party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts."84 If the evidence provided by the non-moving party is "merely colorable" or "not significantly probative," summary judgment is appropriate.85

A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is genuinely disputed must support that assertion by:

This Court reviews the facts of this case de novo.87

In evaluating summary judgment motions on employment discrimination claims, the Ninth Circuit has "emphasized the importance of zealously guarding an employee's right to a full trial, since discrimination claims are frequently difficult to prove without a full airing of the evidence and an opportunity to evaluate the credibility of the witnesses."88 A court granting summary judgment too readily "runs the risk of providing a protective shield for discriminatory behavior that our society has determined must be extirpated."89

III. Analysis.

Mr. Coleman has asserted that the USPS subjected him to both racial and retaliatory discrimination by demoting him, failing to promote him, harassing him, ultimately resulting in his constructive discharge from the USPS.

Because Mr. Coleman is self-represented, the Court liberally construes his claims and affords him the benefit of any doubt.90 Mr. Coleman faced the daunting task of fitting the extensive factual record of his history with the USPS and the EEO office into a legal framework. His opposition to the Defendant's motion addresses the facts at some length, and recites several points of law, but does not explicitly apply the law to the facts. As it is not always clear which facts support which claims, the Court has strived to identify each claim Mr. Coleman appears to be making and address the facts that appear to be relevant to that claim in full.

A. Disparate Treatment under Title VII.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides, in relevant part:

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16 prohibits discriminatory practices in the United States Postal Service, and other federal agencies and departments, and provides that the head of the agency shall be named as the defendant in civil actions brought after an employee's EEOC remedies have been exhausted.

When an individual is "singled out and treated less favorably than others similarly situated on account of race," that constitutes disparate treatment under Title VII.92 A plaintiff may establish a prima facie case of disparate treatment under Title VII by showing, under the framework outlined in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, "that (1) he belongs to a protected class; (2) he was qualified for the position; (3) he was subject to an adverse employment action; and (4) similarly situated individuals outside his protected class were treated more favorably."93 Once the plaintiff has made a prima facie case, this creates a presumption of discrimination, and the burden shifts to the defendant, who must then "articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its allegedly discriminatory conduct."94 The burden then shifts back to the plaintiff to demonstrate that the defendant's proffered reason is pretextual, "either directly by persuading the court that a discriminatory reason more likely motivated the employer or indirectly by showing that the employer's proffered explanation is unworthy of credence."95 If presenting direct evidence of a discriminatory motive, the plaintiff need not present substantial evidence to survive summary judgment;96 but if presenting circumstantial evidence of pretext, the plaintiff must come forward with "specific and substantial" evidence in order to create a triable issue of fact.97 Pretext evidence is specific and substantial when it is "sufficient to raise a genuine issue of material fact under Rule 56(c)."98 And "an employee in this situation can not simply show the employer's decision was wrong, mistaken, or unwise."99 At the summary judgment stage, it is possible for a plaintiff to succeed in establishing a prima facie case of discrimination under McDonnell Douglas, but fail to present sufficient evidence of pretext.100

As an alternative to the process outlined in McDonnell Douglas, the plaintiff may begin by meeting his ultimate burden of presenting "direct or circumstantial evidence demonstrating that a discriminatory reason more likely than not motivated [the employer]."101

"A tangible employment action constitutes a significant change in employment status, such as hiring, firing, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or a decision causing a significant change in benefits."102 "Tangible employment actions are the means by which the supervisor brings the official power of the enterprise to bear on subordinates. A tangible employment decision requires an official act of the enterprise, a company act. The decision in most cases is documented in official company records."103

B. Demotion and Breach of Settlement Agreement.

Mr. Coleman has testified that he agreed to accept a demotion in the February 2008 settlement in lieu of removal because he did not want to lose his retirement benefits.104 He asserts that the demotion was a discriminatory punishment.105 Mr. Coleman additionally alleges that he accepted the demotion based on verbal assurances from his supervisor and his supervisor's representative that he would not be barred from management positions in the future.106 But he also testified that he was not promised that he would receive the next available management position, and he testified that he was not promised any kind of preferential treatment. Rather, he indicated that he was verbally assured that despite the demotion, he "had the opportunity to apply for upper mobility and ... could apply for management positions."107

The settlement agreement is on a typewritten form, with additional specific terms written in by hand.108 The handwritten terms provide (1) that Mr. Coleman's notice of removal would be converted to a "Final Written Warning in Lieu of Termination," (2) that Mr. Coleman would be demoted to a PS-05 position,109 (3) that Mr. Coleman's seniority would be "one day less than the junior unassigned regular," and (4) a statement that the agreement "does not set a precedent for any future matters and may not be used in any other proceeding of any kind."110 The agreement also contains the following apparently standard typewritten language:

The written settlement agreement contains no assurances relating to future promotions or management positions.

Mr. Coleman has stated that during his time with the USPS he "observed many supervisors and managers accept demotion and in a year or two receive promotions."112 In his Complaint, Mr. Coleman lists the names of several USPS employees to support of this statement.113 But even when viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Mr. Coleman, and assuming that verbal assurances to promote did form a part of the agreement, Mr. Coleman has not provided any evidence, nor has he asserted, that there was a promise to promote him at the next available opportunity which arose several months after the agreement was reached.114 Therefore, to the extent that Mr. Coleman is alleging that the Defendant breached the settlement agreement when it did not promote Mr. Coleman to the next available management position, that claim is dismissed.115

The settlement agreement also provided that "[a]ny alleged breach arising out of the implementation of, or compliance with this settlement agreement must be reported in writing to the District Manager, Human Resources within 30 days of the alleged breach."116 Mr. Coleman has indicated that he first raised his concerns with the settlement agreement on December 3, 2008, when he included this issue in his formal EEO Complaint of Discrimination.117

To the extent that Mr. Coleman is alleging that his demotion in February 2008 was discriminatory, the undisputed facts demonstrate that claim is not properly before the Court. Mr. Coleman agreed to the terms of the settlement, which explicitly provide that the agreement is confidential and is not to be referenced in future proceedings. Mr. Coleman has not presented, either in his written submissions or at oral argument, a persuasive argument to support this Court's intervention into the terms of that confidential agreement. Nor did Mr. Coleman timely pursue administrative remedies with respect to any such claim. Accordingly, summary judgment is granted to the Defendant with regard to any claim arising from Mr. Coleman's February 2008 demotion.

C. Failure to Promote.

i. Retail Specialist Position (EAS-16).

In April 2008, Mr. Coleman applied for the position of Retail Specialist (EAS-16). He was interviewed for this position on June 18, 2008.118 Mr. Coleman received notice that he had not been selected for the position on July 16, 2008.119 The position was awarded to a white male who had been a secretary at a level EAS-11 or EAS-13.120

In order to proceed with a race discrimination claim, "[a]n aggrieved person must initiate contact with a[EEO] Counselor within 45 days of the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory[.]"121 The EEO Office did not consider Mr. Coleman's Retail Specialist claim on the merits, as it determined that Mr. Coleman had not made contact with the EEO Office regarding this issue within 45 days and had failed to provide a credible reason for his untimeliness.122 Mr. Coleman asked the Administrative Judge to reinstate this claim, asserting that he had initiated the claim on August 23, 2008.123 But the Administrative Judge also determined that Mr. Coleman had failed to initiate his Retail Specialist claim within the requisite 45-day period. The Administrative Judge noted that the Retail Specialist claim was not on Mr. Coleman's September 7, 2008 written complaint report, and that Mr. Coleman's October 28, 2008 complaint report "for the first time included a claim of non-selection on the Retail Specialist position."124

The precise content of Mr. Coleman's August 23, 2008 EEO contact is not included in the record. Although Mr. Coleman later, in connection with that contact, filed his September 7, 2008 Information for Pre-Complaint Counseling form, that form discusses only what it terms "the latest incident" that occurred on September 6, 2008.125 Since that incident occurred after August 23, 2008, it could not have formed the basis of Mr. Coleman's August 23, 2008 EEO contact. Of note, the EEO Counselor report identifies three discrimination claims, only one of which arose prior to August 23, 2008 — the Retail Specialist claim.126 That report supports a reasonable inference that Mr. Coleman identified the Retail Specialist claim in his communication with the EEO Counselor on that date. In addition, a letter from an EEO Dispute Resolution Specialist dated November 19, 2008 characterizes Mr. Coleman's EEO case, which included the Retail Specialist claim, as having been initiated on August 23, 2008.127

The Defendant asserts that Mr. Coleman did not initiate contact with the EEO counselor within the requisite 45 days with respect to the Retail Specialist claim so that this claim is not properly before the Court.128

"Whether a plaintiff in a Title VII action has timely exhausted [his] administrative remedies is an affirmative defense, so the Defendant bears the burden of pleading and proving it."129 On the record before the Court, the Defendant has failed to meet this burden. Particularly given the Ninth Circuit's emphasis on "the importance of zealously guarding an employee's right to a full trial" in employment discrimination cases,130 this Court finds that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to Mr. Coleman's timely pursuit of his administrative remedies on this claim.131 Accordingly, the Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is denied with regard to the Retail Specialist claim.

ii. Small Business Specialist Position (EAS-16).

On July 1, 2008, Mr. Coleman applied for a Small Business Specialist position that had been posted in June 2008.132 On September 11, 2008, Mr. Coleman was informed that he had not been selected for an interview for the position.133 Other applicants were selected to be interviewed for this position, but a hiring freeze took effect before the interviews were completed.134

In McGinest v. GTE Service Corp., the Ninth Circuit addressed an employer's assertion that it failed to promote the plaintiff due to a hiring freeze. In that case, the African-American plaintiff was interviewed and selected for the promotion, but when the supervisor called human resources for salary authorization, he was informed that a hiring freeze was in place.135 Subsequently, a white employee was moved laterally into the position.136 The Ninth Circuit, reviewing the District Court's grant of summary judgment to the employer de novo, found that "the absence of any documentation confirming that a company hiring freeze was in place" was "sufficient to raise a genuine factual dispute as to whether the asserted reason was pretextual."137 The Ninth Circuit determined that the fact that a large company such as the employer in McGinest had no documentation of its hiring freeze "provided circumstantial evidence that the hiring freeze did not in fact exist."138 In McGinest, the Court found that "a number of factors cast doubt upon [the employer's] proffered explanation."139 It cited the employer's "permissive response to harassing actions undertaken by coworkers and supervisors, combined with the absence of black supervisors and managers in the workplace" as "circumstantial evidence of pretext."140 And in McGinest, the plaintiff had already been selected for the position when the alleged hiring freeze was instituted.141

Here, in contrast to McGinest, the Defendant has provided sworn testimony that the Small Business Specialist position had still not been filled over a year after Mr. Coleman's non-selection.142 And here, in contrast to McGinest, the hiring freeze took effect after Mr. Coleman had been eliminated from the selection process — which indicates that it was not directed at him. At oral argument, Mr. Coleman challenged the Defendant's assertion that a hiring freeze prevented the position from being filled. But Mr. Coleman has not presented any specific factual evidence to dispute the Defendant's sworn testimony that there was a hiring freeze.143 The Court finds that Mr. Coleman has failed to demonstrate a genuine issue of fact as to whether a hiring freeze occurred. Thus, the appropriate subject for Mr. Coleman's claim is the USPS' failure to interview him for, not its failure to promote him to, a Small Business Specialist position.144

At oral argument, the Court specifically asked Mr. Coleman to explain how his non-selection for an interview constituted an adverse employment action when he had no evidence that the position was ever filled.145 Mr. Coleman repeated his argument that his non-selection for an interview was discriminatory, but did not explain how his non-selection in these circumstances constituted an adverse employment action.146 An adverse employment action is a necessary element of a prima facie case under McDonnell Douglas,147 and such an action has not been demonstrated with respect to this claim. Accordingly, summary judgment is granted to the Defendant with regard to Mr. Coleman's claims arising from his non-interview and non-selection for a Small Business Specialist position.

D. Hostile Work Environment.

Title VII guarantees "the right to work in an environment free from discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult."148 Thus, an individual may seek redress for harassment in the workplace under Title VII in the absence of an employer's tangible adverse employment action via a hostile work environment claim. However, in order to prevail on this claim, a plaintiff must show that his "workplace [was] permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult . . . that [was] sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of [his] employment and create an abusive working environment."149

The Ninth Circuit has held that to make a prima facie case for a race-based hostile work environment under Title VII, a plaintiff must demonstrate that "(1) he was subjected to verbal or physical conduct because of his race; (2) the conduct was unwelcome; and (3) the conduct was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of his employment and create an abusive work environment."150 To preclude summary judgment on this claim, Mr. Coleman "must show the existence of a genuine factual dispute as to 1) whether a reasonable African-American man would find the workplace so objectively and subjectively racially hostile as to create an abusive working environment; and 2) whether [his employer] failed to take adequate remedial and disciplinary action."151

i. Harassment after Mr. Coleman's August 4, 2008 Departure on Sick Leave.

Mr. Coleman asserts that the USPS' requests that he complete scheme training, meet the physical requirements of his position, and pass a fitness for duty exam or risk termination contributed to a hostile work environment. Mr. Coleman cites to certain letters he received from the USPS to support this assertion. Specifically, Mr. Coleman refers to a letter from Human Resources dated August 25, 2008;152 a letter from one of his supervisors dated September 11, 2008;153 and a letter from the same supervisor dated November 20, 2008.154

It is undisputed that for the entire period between August 4, 2008 and Mr. Coleman's retirement on December 31, 2008, Mr. Coleman was on leave. Even assuming, without deciding, that the letters sent to Mr. Coleman after August 4, 2008 would be sufficient to satisfy the first two elements of the Ninth Circuit's hostile work environment test, the letters fail to satisfy the third element because they do not constitute conduct "sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of his employment and create an abusive work environment"155 because Mr. Coleman was not at the work environment after August 4, 2008. As a result, there is no genuine factual dispute for that time period as to "whether a reasonable African-American man would find the workplace so objectively and subjectively racially hostile as to create an abusive working environment[.]"156 Accordingly, summary judgment is granted to the Defendant with regard to Mr. Coleman's hostile work environment claims arising from events after August 4, 2008.

ii. Harassment during Mr. Coleman's Employment at the Muldoon Station.

Mr. Coleman has asserted hostile work environment claims arising from conduct that occurred while he was working at the Muldoon Station, beginning shortly after his demotion in February 2008 until August 4, 2008. He alleges that while assigned to the Muldoon Station, USPS management harassed him in the following ways:

(a) Disregarded Work Restrictions.

Mr. Coleman has alleged that despite having documented work restrictions that limited the amount of weight he could lift, he was assigned tasks at the Muldoon Station that required him to lift objects heavier than his restrictions permitted.157 However, Mr. Coleman has testified that if he required assistance, he could obtain it.158 And he has testified that he is not sure if he complained to anyone that he was required to lift objects that exceeded his restrictions.159 Furthermore, Mr. Coleman testified at his EEO deposition that he never knowingly exceeded his restrictions.160

(b) Required to Sort Mail without Assistance.

Mr. Coleman has testified that he was made to sort mail without assistance. However, he has also testified that he was the only clerk at the Muldoon Station assigned to that task, and that it was a necessary one.161 And he has testified that if he was unable to keep up with the mail volume, he was not threatened with disciplinary action, and would sometimes get assistance.162 Mr. Coleman stated that under good management, multiple clerks would have that assignment,163 but did not know if any other stations had only one clerk sorting mail at a time.164

(c) Required to Travel from Station to Station.

In early September 2008, Mr. Coleman was informed that his new work responsibilities required him to work at the Muldoon Station for the first part of the day, then drive to Eastchester Station for the remainder of the day.165 Mr. Coleman asserts that this was unusual.166

(d) Micromanagement.

Mr. Coleman has testified that one of his Muldoon Station supervisors regularly harassed him by engaging in micro-managing techniques, such as following him around and waiting for him at the end of his breaks.167 He testified that another supervisor also followed him around.168

(e) Assigned Humiliating Duties.

At his EEO deposition, Mr. Coleman testified that one of his Muldoon Station supervisors made him perform demeaning and harassing tasks, and expressed a demeaning manner toward him, but could not recall any specific instances of either.169 Mr. Coleman testified that he did not complain about this or expressed his concerns to anyone.170 He also testified that his supervisor never yelled or used demeaning language at him.171

(f) Interference with Typing Test.

Mr. Coleman states that as part of his application for a position as a secretary in Marketing, he was required to take a typing test. He has testified that the test was administered to him in a discriminatory fashion because he was made to take it in the middle of a busy office and interrupted twice.172 He alleges that this caused him to fail the test and not receive the position.173

Applying the Ninth Circuit's test to all of these factual allegations, the Court finds that Mr. Coleman's hostile work environment claim fails on the first element.174 He has not alleged any facts indicating that "he was subjected to verbal or physical conduct because of his race."175 Racial harassment claims "are reviewed under the same standard as those based on sexual harassment."176 Typically, courts find that conduct meets the "because of" race or gender criterion when the conduct involves physical harassment, such as uninvited or offensive touching, or explicit verbal reference to race or gender.177 The Supreme Court has held that "[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements, do not suffice."178 The Court finds that Mr. Coleman has done no more than recite the elements of a cause of action: he has stated that the USPS discriminated against him because of his race, but has alleged insufficient facts to support this statement.179 Accordingly, the Court finds that Mr. Coleman has not alleged any instances of "discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult," nor demonstrated that any such conduct was "sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of [his] employment and create an abusive working environment."180 He has not demonstrated a genuine factual dispute as to "whether a reasonable African-American man would find the workplace so objectively and subjectively racially hostile as to create an abusive working environment[.]"181 Summary judgment is therefore granted to the Defendant with regard to Mr. Coleman's hostile work environment claims.182

E. Constructive Discharge.

Mr. Coleman claims that the hostile work environment constituted a constructive discharge because his working conditions forced him into early retirement. As explained above, a hostile work environment claim under Title VII requires conduct "sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim's employment and create an abusive working environment."183 The Supreme Court has held that a combined "hostile-environment constructive discharge claim entails something more" than a hostile environment claim: it requires "working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would have felt compelled to resign."184 As the Court has found that Mr. Coleman has not alleged facts sufficient to support a hostile work environment claim, it follows that he has not meet the more stringent requirements of a constructive discharge claim. Accordingly, summary judgment is granted to the Defendant with regard to Mr. Coleman's constructive discharge claim.

CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is:

1. DENIED with respect to Mr. Coleman's failure to promote claim arising from his non-selection for the Retail Specialist position, and

2. GRANTED with respect to all other claims in Mr. Coleman's Complaint. Dated at Anchorage, Alaska this 29th day of October, 2012.