DECISION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Appellant, David Culver (“appellant”), appeals from those portions of the Hearing Officer’s decision dismissing his claims of employment discrimination based on race and failure to comply with provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act, in violation of sections 201 and 202 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (the “CAA” or the “Act”), 2 U.S.C. §§ 1311, 1312. He also asserts that the Hearing Officer’s decision was not timely issued, in violation of section 405 of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. § 1405, and section 7.16 of the Procedural Rules of the Office of Compliance (the “Procedural Rules”). For the reasons set forth below, the Board finds appellant’s contentions to be without merit and affirms the Hearing Officer’s decision.
I.
Appellant, an African-American, was employed from 1993 to 1996 as the sole stock clerk of the Office Supply Service (the “OSS”) of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (the “CAO”) of the United States House of Representatives. See Decision at 4, 8 (Findings of Fact Nos. 1, 3.d.(1)). The staff of OSS is racially mixed: of the 27 employees, 14 are African- American, including Willie Holliday, appellant’s immediate supervisor, and William Crain, the Associate Administrator of the Office of Media and Support Services. See Decision at 9 (Findings of Fact Nos. 3.e, 4.a). The mid-level supervisor, Gerald Bowles, the Director of the Office Supply Service, is white. See id.
In 1995, the CAO tightened personnel policies for all House employees; and, in 1996, a new personnel manual was issued. See id. (Finding of Fact No. 3.d). On May 3, 1996, appellant, by signed receipt, acknowledged that he had received, read, and understood the new personnel policies and procedures contained in the manual. See id. at 12 (Finding of Fact No. 5.a). The personnel manual contained guidance concerning family and medical leave; appellant was also mailed, through his employer, information on family and medical leave prepared by the Office of Compliance. See id. (Finding of Fact No. 5.b). In addition, the OSS work space contained posters containing information respecting family and medical leave. See Id.
