OCWR Training Overview
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) provides a program of education to inform legislative branch staff of their workplace rights and responsibilities under the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and to promote an inclusive workplace environment.
The OCWR recognizes that workplace disputes can be stressful to deal with, difficult to manage, and challenging to understand, and we are committed to providing prompt, courteous, and responsive information that promotes workplace civility.
The OCWR‘s training program includes interactive training modules, an online learning management system, informative videos and tutorials, and downloadable publications. Additionally, the OCWR regularly conducts both in-person and virtual training sessions on a wide variety of CAA-related topics.
If you are interested in receiving training for your office, please contact OCWR’s Outreach and Education Team.
CAA Required Training
In accordance with the CAA Reform Act of 2018, legislative branch offices are required to develop and implement a program to educate covered employees on their rights and protections under the CAA. The OCWR offers live in-person or virtual training that meets the CAA’s education requirement.
This module discusses the role of the OCWR in administering the CAA, outlines the rights and responsibilities of covered offices and employees under the CAA, and explains the OCWR’s administrative dispute resolution (ADR) process for resolving alleged violations, including the necessary deadlines for covered employees to file a claim with the OCWR. Alternatively, the OCWR also provides a 45-minute video training module on the CAA.
If you are interested in scheduling a live training on the CAA, please contact OCWR’s Outreach and Education Team.
Employees of the House of Representatives are required to receive training by an official provider designated by the Committee on House Administration (CHA). House employees with any questions are encouraged to contact the CHA to satisfy their CAA training requirements. Senate staff may receive training from the OCWR to comply with the CAA training mandate, but they are also encouraged to contact their office to ensure compliance with training requirements as outlined by the Senate
Training Catalog
The OCWR offers the following training modules for live in-person or virtual training sessions.
- The Congressional Accountability Act and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.
Understand the employment rights and responsibilities of covered employees under the CAA and the process to assert those rights, including deadlines for covered employees to file a claim with the OCWR. - Bystander Intervention. This training module defines the “bystander effect” on workplace behavior, proposes strategies for successful bystander intervention, and explains the positive impact on the workplace of bystander awareness and intervention.
- The Congressional Accountability Act: Recognizing and Preventing Discrimination and Harassment. This module provides an overview of employee rights and responsibilities under the CAA, with a focus on preventing harassment and discrimination in the workplace. A 30-minute supervisor supplement on employer responsibilities to prevent workplace harassment and discrimination is also available.
- Civility and Inclusion. Explore the concepts and benefits of workplace civility. This module examines workplace behaviors and explores conflict management techniques to create and maintain a climate of inclusion in the workplace.
- Implicit Bias. Understand the formation of implicit bias, examine the connection between implicit bias and microaggressions, and explore its impact on the workplace. This module proposes individual, interpersonal, and institutional strategies to combat implicit bias.
- Implicit Bias for Managers. Supervisory-level professionals are provided a comprehensive list of tools and strategies designed to aid managers in identifying and managing workplace conduct.
- Civility, Implicit Bias, and Inclusion. This module explores the concept of implicit bias, explains the importance of awareness to mitigate its effects on the workplace climate, and examines conflict management techniques to foster a climate of inclusion.
- Racial Equity. This training module summarizes key concepts of racial equity, suggests techniques to constructively discuss the subjects of race and racial inequity, and identifies opportunities and next steps for applying concepts and strategies to advance racial equity.
Staff who have attended an OCWR training may receive a certificate of attendance. Please notify the trainer in advance of any training that you wish to receive a certificate of completion. If you are interested in scheduling a training for your office, please contact the Outreach and Education Team.
Online Learning Management System
The OCWR offers training modules through its learning management system (LMS). In order to enroll in a course through the LMS, employees must register for an account. After completing a module, the LMS will generate a certificate of completion.
The OCWR currently offers the following modules via the Legacy LMS portal:
- Bystander Awareness & Response. This interactive training explores a bystander’s role in preventing discrimination and harassment and is designed to provide information and tools for effective intervention.
- Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Congressional Workplace. This module is designed to help recognize and effectively respond to offensive workplace behaviors based on sex that can lead to a hostile work environment.
- Recognizing and Preventing Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace. This course provides a detailed overview of workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prohibited by the CAA, and examines the roles that employees, managers, and bystanders play in preventing offensive conduct and reporting or correcting behaviors that could contribute to a hostile work environment.
Video Tutorials
The OCWR provides a series of educational videos on subjects related to the CAA.
- Congressional Accountability Act (CAA). This module informs legislative branch employees of their workplace rights and protections under the CAA and explains the administrative process to assert those rights.
- Implicit Bias. This video explains what the term “implicit bias” means and explores its impact on the workplace. It includes strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of implicit bias and provides tools to foster an inclusive workplace culture.
- Preventing Disability Discrimination in the Congressional Workplace (House). This module explains what qualifies as a disability under the ADA, and outlines the CAA’s application of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Preventing Disability Discrimination in the Congressional Workplace (Senate). This module explains what qualifies as a disability under the ADA, and outlines the CAA’s application of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Request Training
If you are interested in scheduling a training session for your office, please contact the Outreach and Education Team or call the OCWR at 202-724-9250. At the request of employing offices, the OCWR may create or customize educational materials, including training modules.