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April 2, 2008
Proposed rules on veterans’ hiring preference for support and administrative jobs in Congress would make job experience more important than veterans’ status in the hiring of custodians, elevator operators, messengers and security guards.
The new rules, proposed by the board of directors for a congressional office that ensures Congress complies with the same policies as other federal offices, were published in Monday’s Congressional Record and take effect only if the House and Senate approve the policies.
Lawmakers had hoped for more. The House Administration Committee, for example, had proposed giving veterans absolute preference in hiring for some openings, such as security guards and other support jobs
With regards to experience, references or other factors, the House committee, headed by Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa., wanted veterans to be hired ahead of nonveterans as long as there were veterans seeking the jobs.
The final rules, however, say experience can be considered, because offices should not be forced to hire people who are not qualified, especially for positions such as security guards.
Veterans’ preference policies do not have to be made available to the public under the final rules. Although that was the initial intention of the Office of Compliance, which drew up the rules, some congressional offices, including a Senate employment lawyer, successfully argued that Senate offices are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which requires federal agencies to release unclassified material.
Although the final rules do not require policies be made available to the public, applicants must be informed of the policies and procedures, and questions from applicants about the policies must be answered, as long as they are “relevant and nonconfidential.”
The Office of Compliance is an independent congressional agency responsible for administering and enforcing employment policies and making sure congressional offices follow health and safety laws that apply to other government agencies.
The compliance office has investigative and enforcement powers, and is overseen by a five-member board of directors.
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