What is the state of the Congressional workplace for Congressional employees?

That is the question that the annual report issued by Congress’s Office of Compliance (OOC) helps answer today.

Overall the state of the Congressional workplace seems to be strong in some places: Most notably, safety hazards in offices are down. But it’s weak in other places: Complaints of harassment, discrimination and hostile work environment are increasing.

The nonpartisan OOC says the office has felt the “impact of a substantial increase in discrimination, harassment and relational cases,” over the past five years, says the report, published today. “These cases are becoming more complex and sophisticated, often with multiple allegations of discrimination, discovery disputes, and issues relating to the OOC’s rules and procedures.”

The number of complaints filed by employees actually dropped – ever so slightly – in the past year. In fiscal year 2010, 105 formal requests for counseling were filed by Congressional employees. This is down from 108 requests in 2009.

There are some 30,000 Congressional employees.

But while the number of people who reported claims slipped slightly, those people were reporting multiple allegations with each report – there was a sharp increase in reports relating to discrimination and harassment – focusing on race, sex, age, disability, national origin and religion.

Overall the trend is concerning, with its findings that harassment and discrimination is on the rise among Congressional employees.

Since fiscal year 2006, the OOC reports, counseling requests have nearly doubled.

The overwhelming majority of the cases that are reported are from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Architect of the Capitol.

Cases reported among employees in the members of Congress’ offices and committees were low: The House of Representatives reported 19% and the Senate was slightly over 3% of all cases. But in a divided Congress, with much turnover and a distinct sense of loyalty most Senate and House employees feel toward their office, it’s likely that many other cases go unreported.

Additionally Congressional offices by law are not mandated to post workers rights’ information nor require employment training for employees, which may explain why staffers have limited or no knowledge of their rights as Congressional employees.

The OOC is an independent, nonpartisan agency that is subject to oversight by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the House Committee on House Administration.

The report covers the 30,000 employees of the legislative branch – including employees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including their Washington DC, state and district office staff, the Congressional Budget Office; the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; the Office of the Attending Physician; the OOC; the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services; and the United States Capitol Police.