The Confidential Advisor at the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) offers privileged and confidential advice and consultation to covered employees in the legislative branch, including unpaid staff, job applicants, and former employees regarding their rights and responsibilities under the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), administrative dispute resolution (ADR) process, and OCWR Procedural Rules.
Confidential advising services are offered at no cost to the employee.
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 covered employees’ workplace concerns and inform them of their rights under the CAA
(2 U.S.C. §1302(c) and 2 U.S.C. §§1311-1317); - consult with covered employees regarding the roles, responsibilities, and authority of the OCWR;
- assist covered employees in understanding the ADR process and OCWR’s Procedural Rules;
- advise and consult with covered employees regarding any claims they may have under the CAA
(2 U.S.C. §1302(c) and 2 U.S.C. §§1311-1317); and - consult with covered employees regarding drafting or amending a claim, and the procedural options available to them after a claim form is filed.
The Confidential Advisor may not represent employees in any proceeding.
The services of the Confidential Advisor may not be provided if the covered employee has designated an attorney representative in connection with the employee’s participation in any proceeding under the CAA. The Confidential Advisor may provide general assistance and information to the attorney representative regarding the CAA and the roles, responsibilities, and authority 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.
The employing office will not be notified that an employee has requested or received confidential advising services.