The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) offers confidential, cost-free advice and guidance to covered employees in the legislative branch, including unpaid staff, regarding their rights and responsibilities under the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the OCWR’s administrative dispute resolution (ADR) process.
The Confidential Advisor is an experienced employment law attorney with extensive knowledge of the employee protection laws applied by the CAA. The Confidential Advisor may discuss employees’ workplace concerns and inform them of their rights and options under the CAA and the OCWR’s procedures. The Confidential Advisor also may help employees draft a claim, but may not represent them in any proceeding. The Confidential Advisor will provide these services, at no cost, on a privileged and confidential basis.
The services of a Confidential Advisor may not be provided if the covered employee has designated an attorney representative, except that the Confidential Advisor may provide general assistance and information to the attorney representative regarding the CAA and the role of the OCWR.
Legislative branch employees who believe their rights may have been violated are encouraged to contact the Confidential Advisor to find out what options are available to them. Please call the OCWR at (202) 724-9250 or e-mail ConfidentialAdvisor@ocwr.gov to learn more.