From the Chair of the Board of Directors:
Fiscal year 2008 was a year of accomplishment for the Office of Compliance and we are proud of the achievements noted in the Annual Report.
Office of Compliance staff has made great strides towards completing the goals and initiatives outlined in our Strategic Plan. Thanks to the commitment and dedication of the Office’s staff, the Office will complete its strategic plan goals during the upcoming fiscal year and it has begun the process of drafting a new strategic plan with follow-on goals and initiatives designed to respond to the evolving needs of our covered community.
During this past year, the Office played an important role in the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center. It was
our responsibility to inspect the new facility through the later stages of construction to ensure the safety and
health of both employees and visitors to the glorious new Center. We are proud of the role we played in the
successful opening of this historic building.
This past fiscal year, the Office continued in its role of overseeing the abatement of the utility tunnels hazards which were the subject of the Office’s earlier complaint. Correcting this dangerous situation has been a priority for the Board of Directors. The Board appreciates the work of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol which has ensured that abatement remains on schedule and that interim measures for employee protection are in place.
Another priority for the Board during fiscal year 2008 was the submission of regulations applicable to military service by employees of the legislative branch. The Congressional Accountability Act as amended provides that members of the military with civilian employment will not be penalized for time spent away from their employers while serving in the military. The Board adopted implementing regulations, specific to the legislative branch, for the Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The Board is grateful for the comments and input given to the Offi ce by its stakeholders. The Board continues to work with the Office’s oversight committees to achieve Congressional approval of the regulations in the 111th Congress.
