How to File a Claim with the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) administers the Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to resolve claims alleging violations of the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) for covered employees of the legislative branch, including, in some cases, unpaid staff. The OCWR’s role is to be a neutral fact-finder and to resolve claims as promptly as possible.
To initiate the formal ADR process through the OCWR, or to become eligible to file a complaint in federal court, you must first file a claim form with the OCWR.
IMPORTANT: If you have questions or concerns about how to complete the claim form, the ADR process of the OCWR, or specific employment laws applicable to your workplace, you have the right to consult with an OCWR 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 and the OCWR’s procedures. 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.
If you would like to request the assistance of the Confidential Advisor, please contact the OCWR at (202) 724-9250 or send an e-mail to ConfidentialAdvisor@ocwr.gov.
The best method for filing a claim with the OCWR is electronically through the OCWR’s Secure Online Claims Reporting and Tracking E-filing System (SOCRATES) web application.
When filing a claim, you may describe the actions that you are challenging and why you believe that the actions violate the CAA. If you would like to continue your description of your claim, you may submit a continuing description with your claim form. The continuing description cannot exceed 35 pages (and must be submitted as a PDF if the claim is filed online or by e-mail). If you need to exceed 35 pages, you may submit a request to the OCWR within 15 calendar days of filing your initial claim.
Alternatively, documents also may be filed with the OCWR by downloading a PDF of the Claim Form and submitting it using one the following methods:
- In-person delivery. The claim form may be delivered to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, John Adams Building, Room LA-200, 110 Second Street SE, Washington, DC 20540-1999.
- Via electronic mail. The claim form may be transmitted electronically at OCWRefile@ocwr.gov. The time displayed as received by the OCWR will be used to show the time the claim was filed which will be based on the claim form’s timestamp information. For more information about the timeliness of electronically filed documents please see the OCWR Procedural Rules.
- Via facsimile (fax). The claim form may be transmitted by fax at (202) 426-1913. The time displayed as received by the OCWR on its fax status report will be used to show the time that the document was filed. For more information about the timeliness of documents filed via fax, please see the OCWR Procedural Rules.
- Via mail, including express, overnight, and other expedited delivery. The claim form may be mailed to the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights at the John Adams Building, Room LA-200, 110 Second Street SE, Washington, DC 20540-1999. Documents are deemed filed on the date of their postmark or proof of mailing to the OCWR. For more information about the timeliness of documents filed via mail, please see the OCWR Procedural Rules.
Parties and their representatives are responsible for ensuring that the OCWR always has their current postal mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and fax numbers.
Note: You may file one amended claim form as a matter of right within 15 calendar days after you file your initial claim form. Please contact the OCWR if you have any questions about amending a claim.