Report Finds Increasing Number of Harassment and Discrimination Complaints by Congressional Employees

The Congressional Office of Compliance recently published a report that shows that the number of harassment and discrimination complaints by Congressional employees has increased over the past five years. The report, entitled “State of the Congressional Workplace,” sought to determine the effectiveness of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, enacted to hold Congress to the same standards as private sector employers in terms of discrimination, accessibility, and safety.

According to the report, 52 Congressional employees complained of discrimination in 2007.  That number increased to 142 in 2011. The complaints dealt with race, sex, gender, pregnancy, and physical and mental disabilities. Of the 142 complaints in 2011, the government resolved 23 through settlements that included total payments of $461,366. Capitol Police employees filed more than half of the 2011 complaints. The report also determined that six restrooms in the Senate and House Office building did not meet disability accessibility regulations.

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive discrimination practice and has broad experience fighting for the rights of employees who have been victims of discrimination and retaliation by their employers.