Training Modules
If your office is interested in scheduling training, please contact the OCWR’s Education and Outreach Team at OCWRtraining@ocwr.gov.
The Congressional Accountability Act and the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
Congress established the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) in 1995 to administer the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), which extends workplace rights, safety, accessibility, and veterans’ preference laws to the offices and grounds of the legislative branch on Capitol Hill and throughout the country. This training module identifies the rights extended to covered legislative branch employees by the CAA and explains the OCWR’s role in administering the CAA. Additionally, this module explains the OCWR’s administrative dispute resolution procedures and the necessary deadlines for covered employees to file a claim alleging a violation of their rights. Attendees will apply their knowledge of the CAA’s protections and procedures through instructor-guided scenarios and poll questions.
Age Discrimination
This training module introduces the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and discusses its history and application to the legislative branch. Additionally, this module explores types of workplace conduct that may constitute age-based harassment, a type of age discrimination. The module concludes with an explanation of the services and remedies available to covered employees who believe they were the subject of age discrimination.
Bystander Intervention
When in the presence of offensive conduct, bystanders may, for a variety of reasons, choose not to get involved; this is known as the “bystander effect.” This training module defines the concepts of the bystander effect and bystander intervention theory; helps attendees recognize the importance of intervention; proposes strategies for when and how they may safely intervene; explains the impact of bystander intervention on positive, professional workplace culture; and applies bystander intervention techniques through instructor-guided scenarios.
Civility in the Workplace
Civility in the workplace can substantially benefit covered employees as it can reduce the probability of unlawful discriminatory or harassing behaviors that violate the Congressional Accountability Act. This training module explores the fundamental concepts of workplace civility and incivility, principles related to civility and conflict management, and the institutional benefits of promoting a civil work environment. It concludes by introducing the enhanced concept of workplace cohesion and proposing strategies to create and foster a healthy work atmosphere.
Labor-Management Rights
The Congressional Accountability Act applies provisions of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute to the legislative branch, protecting the rights of certain employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization for purposes of collective bargaining without fear of penalty or reprisal. This training reviews the rights and responsibilities of employees, labor organizations, and employing offices in the union election process and the conduct of a collective bargaining relationship.
Recognizing and Preventing Discrimination and Harassment
The Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) applies multiple laws extending equal employment opportunity rights to the legislative branch. This training module examines the classes protected and the discriminatory employment practices and harassing behaviors prohibited by law, as well as the CAA’s protections against reprisal. The module also discusses prevention strategies, and the dispute resolution processes and remedies available to covered employees who believe they may have been the subject of unlawful discrimination. An optional 30-minute supervisor supplement explains the supervisor’s role and employing office obligations in preventing harassment and discrimination, discusses employing office liability, and further examines the CAA’s prohibition on reprisal.
Resilience
The legislative branch is a dynamic work environment unlike any other. When faced with adversity or stressful events, staff often must bounce back quickly: this is where our resilience is critical. Resilience training can equip employees with the confidence to assert their rights under the Congressional Accountability Act. This training module first identifies what resilience is. It also describes the different barriers to resilience and explains why resilience is important in the legislative workplace. Finally, the module proposes concrete strategies to improve the resilience of legislative branch employees. Attendees will have opportunities to engage in self-reflection and apply resilience principles through instructor-guided prompts.