# Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022

This bill applies workplace protections to members of Congress and their staff that most American workers already have. Right now, Congress has exempted itself from many labor laws that protect regular employees, so this bill aims to level the playing field by making Congress follow the same rules as everyone else.

The bill creates several new protections for congressional employees. First, it strengthens safety and health standards in congressional offices by giving the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights more power to investigate violations and require offices to keep safety records. Second, it adds whistleblower protections so congressional staff can report illegal activity, waste, or safety problems without fear of being fired or punished. Third, it protects employees from being fired because of wage garnishment (when creditors take money from paychecks) or because they've filed for bankruptcy—protections that already exist for most workers but not for Congress.

The bill also requires congressional offices to keep records needed to enforce anti-discrimination laws related to race, age, disability, and family leave. It extends protections for jury duty to congressional employees, meaning they can't be fired for serving on a jury. Additionally, it makes hearings about workplace disputes more transparent by opening them to the public, and it requires mediation when employees file workplace complaints if they request it.

Essentially, this bill removes Congress's special exemption from workplace laws and makes congressional offices follow the same employment rules that apply to private companies and other government agencies. Congressional staff would gain the same legal protections and remedies available to other American workers.

Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022

Norton, Eleanor Holmes

Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) to investigate alleged violations of occupational safety and health protections in legislative branch entities. The bill also provides certain employment-related protections to employees of such entities. The OCWR shall have subpoena authority to inspect and investigate occupational safety and health complaints in congressional offices and committees, the Congressional Budget Office, the Capitol Police, and other specified entities. The bill also imposes record-keeping requirements on such entities with respect to the enforcement of occupational safety and health protections. Additionally, these entities may not (1) retaliate against an employee for requesting OCWR action or for participating in an OCWR investigation, (2) fire an employee because the employee's wages have been garnished due to a debt, (3) retaliate against an employee for whistleblowing activities, (4) discriminate against an employee for being a debtor or bankrupt, or (5) retaliate against an employee for attending jury service. Other matters addressed in the bill include: <ul> <li>authorizing the OCWR to seek, in appropriate cases when an unfair labor practice complaint is filed, court-ordered temporary relief from the practice, such as a temporary restraining order;</li> <li>excluding additional types of proceedings (e.g., proceedings involving discrimination claims) from confidentiality provisions that currently apply; and</li> <li>requiring employing offices in the legislative branch to enter mediation if requested by a claimant (currently, both parties must agree to enter mediation).</li> </ul>