The Mission of the Office
The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA), which protects over 30,000 employees of the legislative branch nationwide, established the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) (formerly the Office of Compliance) to administer and ensure the integrity of the CAA through its programs of dispute resolution, education, and enforcement. The OCWR assists members of Congress, employing offices and employees, and the visiting public in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the workplace and accessibility laws; advises Congress on needed changes and amendments to the CAA; and uses the Office of the General Counsel for independent investigatory and enforcement authority of certain violations of the Act.
The OCWR Organizational Structure
The OCWR has a five-member, nonpartisan Board of Directors and four executive staff, appointed by the Board, who carry out the day-to-day functions of the Office. The OCWR also employs an experienced professional staff on Capitol Hill who educate, communicate, inspect, litigate, and conduct operations.
