1. If you are a Congressional staffer and are sexually harassed by a member of Congress, just follow these simple steps to address the problem goo.gl/ZdyXXW
2. First, file a written notice with the Office of Compliance. If you don't do that within 180 days of the alleged incident sorry, you no rights anymore. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
3. You may have noticed the online form to file notice is password protected. Please contact the Office of Compliance during business hours for the password. This should be a fun convo to have while you are at work goo.gl/ZdyXXW
4. Now, you are required to enter a 30-day "counseling" period. The perpetrator will not be notified or involved in this process. This is basically just a process in which the counselor sees if you might drop the case without moving forward goo.gl/ZdyXXW
5. After the "counseling" session you have just 15 days to request mediation. If you don't request that in 15 days, you have no rights goo.gl/ZdyXXW
6. The mediation is between you and the office where the incident occurred, not the person who actually sexually harassed you. You must agree to keep the mediation secret to continue. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
7. If through the process of mediation you reach a settlement, the money will be paid to you from a fund financed by taxpayers. The perpetrator will not pay. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
8. If you can't reach a settlement there is a mandatory 30-day cooling off period. There is no purpose to this period other than to increase the chances that the victim gives up. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
9. If you make it through the 30 days and you still haven't given up you can request an administrative hearing or file a federal lawsuit. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
10. Either way, no matter what you are not entitled to any civil penalties or punitive damages. Assuming you aren't independently wealthy, it's unlikely a federal suit will be an option goo.gl/ZdyXXW
11. So you'll be stuck with the administrative at the Office of Compliance. This is also conducted in secret and all records are kept secret unless you win. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
12. And that's it! Problem solved. goo.gl/ZdyXXW
