Dispute Resolution Forms

The following forms are provided to assist a claimant in pursuing a claim of a violation of sections 201–206 and 208 of the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), 2 U.S.C. §§ 1311-1317, under the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. Learn more about the ADR process on the Dispute Resolution page.

Claim Form*

Amended Claim Form

Request for Mediation

Notice of Designation of Representative

Filing and Submission:

Please e-mail completed forms to OCWRefile@ocwr.gov; or hand-deliver to Room LA-200, John Adams Building, 110 Second Street SE, Washington, DC 20540-1999; or fax to (202) 426-1913.

The best method for filing a claim form with the OCWR is electronically through the OCWR’s Secure Online Claims Reporting and Tracking E-filing System (SOCRATES) web application. The claim form must be filed with the OCWR within 180 days of the date of the alleged violation of the CAA. The OCWR may not process any untimely filed claims.

Filing the claim form initiates formal proceedings on a claim alleging that the CAA has been violated. Immediately after a claim form is submitted, a copy will be provided to the employing office. Visit the How to File a Claim with the OCWR page to learn more.

Please note: The OCWR provides employees the services of a Confidential Advisor. 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. 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.


*A special claim form must be used by applicants for employment vacancies with employing offices in the legislative branch to file a claim alleging violations(s) of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA), which is codified at Section 207 of the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), 2 U.S.C. § 1316b. The FCA prohibits employing offices from requesting that applicants for most jobs disclose information on their arrest and conviction history before a conditional job offer is made.