I. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

On behalf of the Office of Compliance (OOC), we are pleased to present the OOC’s fifth Strategic Plan for
Fiscal Years 2016-2018. This Strategic Plan represents the experience and collective effort of the staff and
Board of Directors of the OOC to set priorities, acquire resources, and work collaboratively to realize the
safe, productive, and fair workplace envisioned by the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA). This plan
is intended to be a dynamic document by which the OOC will evaluate its accomplishments over the next
three years.

The OOC is an independent and non-partisan agency established in 1996, and currently one of the
smallest of its kind. Yet, its mission is large and complex. With a staff of just 22 full-time equivalent
employees, including 5 part-time Board members, and contracted professionals as needed, the OOC
carries out mandated programs of education, alternative dispute resolution, inspection, and
enforcement. About 30,000 Legislative Branch employees and countless visitors to Capitol Hill and
district offices benefit from the work of the OOC.

The OOC staff remains steadfast and dedicated to ensuring that the Congressional workplace is safe and
healthy and free from discrimination; and that Capitol Hill remains free of barriers to public access.
While we take seriously our enforcement mission, we emphasize voluntary compliance through
cooperation and education. These approaches are key to fulfilling our mission and they run throughout
our plan.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the OOC. There is cause to reflect on and celebrate the OOC’s
many successes. For twenty years, the agency has been at the forefront of best practices for promoting
and protecting the rights and obligations of Legislative Branch offices, employees, unions, and the
visiting public on Capitol Hill and in district offices.