The Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) applies twelve civil rights, labor, and workplace safety laws to the U.S. Congress and its associated agencies.
Access to Public Services and
Accommodations for the Disabled
Offices in the Legislative Branch must make their public services, programs, activities, and places of public accommodation accessible to members of the public who have a disability.
Age Discrimination
Employees 40 years old or older cannot be discriminated against in personnel actions because of their age.
Collective Bargaining and Unionization
Certain Legislative Branch employees have the right to join a union and collectively bargain with an employing office.
Disability Discrimination
Employees cannot be discriminated against in personnel actions because of a disability, and offices may be required to accommodate the special needs of a person with a disability.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Employees cannot be harassed or discriminated against in personnel actions because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Fair Labor Standards and the Minimum Wage
Employees must get paid at least the current minimum wage, and certain employees are entitled to overtime pay.
Family and Medical Leave
Employees are entitled to 12 weeks of leave from work for certain family and medical reasons.
Notification of Office Closings or Mass Layoffs
Employees are entitled to be given advance notice of an office closing or mass layoff.
Occupational Safety and Health
Workplaces in the Legislative Branch must be free of hazards that are likely to cause death or serious injury.
Protection from Polygraph Testing
With limited exceptions, employees cannot be required to take polygraph (“lie detector”) tests.
Uniformed Services Rights and Protections
Employees cannot be discriminated against for past or present duty in the “uniformed services,” and those who leave work to perform unformed service are entitled to be reemployed in their old job after a service obligation ends.
