PROTECTION FROM UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION
Prohibits harassment and discrimination in personnel actions based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability.
FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE
Provides rights and protections for employees taking or requesting leave for specified family and medical reasons.
FAIR LABOR STANDARDS
Requires the payment of minimum wage and overtime compensation to nonexempt employees, restricts child labor, and prohibits sex-based wage differentials.
POLYGRAPH TESTING PROHIBITION
Except in certain circumstances, prohibits requiring or requesting that lie detector tests be taken; using, accepting, or inquiring about the results of a lie detector test; or firing or discriminating against an employee based on the results of a lie detector test or for refusing to take a test.
NOTIFICATION OF OFFICE CLOSINGS & MASS LAYOFFS
Under certain circumstances, requires that employees be notified of an office closing or of a mass layoff at least sixty days in advance of the event.
UNIFORMED SERVICES RIGHTS & PROTECTIONS
Protects the job rights of individuals who leave employment positions to undertake military service and prohibits discrimination on the basis of present or past membership in the uniformed services.
PROTECTION FOR EXERCISING WORKPLACE RIGHTS
Prohibits employing offices from intimidating or retaliating against employees who exercise their rights under the CAA.
ACCESSIBILITY
Protects members of the public with qualified disabilities from being denied access to public services, programs, activities, or places of public accommodation in the legislative branch.
HAZARD-FREE WORKSPACES
Requires employing offices to comply with occupational safety and health standards and to provide workplaces free of recognized hazards.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING & UNIONIZATION
Protects the rights of certain legislative branch employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization or to refrain from such activity.
GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION & PRIVACY
Prohibits the use of genetic information as a basis for personnel actions.
VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Gives eligible veterans enhanced access to certain job opportunities and establishes a redress system in the event that their veterans’ preference rights are violated.
Statement from the Chair of the Board
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR), formerly the Office of Compliance (OOC), I am pleased to present our Annual Report on the State of the Congressional Workplace for FY18. It was a notable year for many reasons, but most significantly because of the rise in awareness and concern about sexual harassment in the workplace, including on Capitol Hill. Seeking to improve the climate in congressional offices for all employees, Members of Congress worked together on legislation to advance workplace protections and, on December 21, 2018, the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) Reform Act was signed into law. Reforms to the CAA require offices to post notices of workplace rights, and to implement anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and training programs. It also extends protections to unpaid staff, and requires Members to be personally liable for acts of harassment and retaliation committed by them. Effective June 19, 2019, a new and more streamlined process for resolving workplace claims will be implemented.
