Employee Rights in the Legislative Branch - OCWR

The Congressional Accountability Act applies a wide range of civil rights, labor, and workplace safety laws to Congress and its associated offices.

Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited

Employees cannot be harassed or discriminated against in personnel actions because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

Polygraph Testing Protections

With limited exceptions, employees cannot be required to take polygraph (“lie detector”) tests.

Veterans’ Employment Opportunities

The VEOA gives veterans improved access to Federal job opportunities and establishes a redress system for preference eligibles in the event that their veterans’ preference rights are violated.

Protection Against Reprisal or Intimidation for Exercising Workplace Rights

Employees are protected from being intimidated, retaliated against, or discriminated against for exercising their rights under the CAA.

Occupational Safety and Health

Workplaces in the legislative branch must be in compliance with OSHA standards and must be free of hazards that are likely to cause death or serious injury.

Family and Medical
Leave Act

Eligible employees are entitled to 12 weeks of leave from work for certain family and medical reasons.

Notification of Office Closing or Mass Layoffs

Employees are entitled to be given advance notice of an office closing or mass layoff.

Fair Chance Act (Ban the Box)

FCA prohibits employing offices in the legislative branch, from requesting that applicants for most jobs disclose information on arrest and conviction history before a conditional job offer is extended to the applicant.

Protections for Pregnant Workers

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

Labor-Management Rights

Certain legislative branch employees have the right to join a union and collectively bargain with an employing office.

Fair Labor Standards

Employees must get paid at least the current minimum wage, and certain employees are entitled to overtime pay.

Uniformed Services Rights and Protections

The CAA applies certain employment rights and protections to servicemembers.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination and Privacy

Employees may not be discriminated against or denied health insurance based on their genetic information.

Access to Public Services and Accommodations

Guarantees individuals with disabilities access to public services and facilities in the legislative branch.