Project Overview
The “Life in Congress” project is a partnership between CMF and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) that seeks to identify human resource challenges in Congress and provide recommendations for overcoming them in order to make Congress a better place for both Members and staffers to work.
Through this novel research series, we hope to:
- Identify the factors that motivate employees in the Washington, D.C., and district/state offices. By determining what staff feel is most important to their job satisfaction and engagement, we can offer guidance to improve congressional operations. This could help managers identify ways to retain top talent longer, reduce the burden of having to constantly hire and train employees, and enhance services provided to constituents.
- Shed some light on Congress as a workplace. What is it like to work for a Member of Congress? What it is like to be a Member of Congress? How does Congress, as a workplace, compare to the private sector? In our experience, the inner workings of individual congressional offices, as well as the job duties of Members and their staff, are typically misunderstood. This project attempts to offer insight into the challenges faced by congressional staff and Members.
To achieve these objectives, CMF and SHRM are conducting research with Members and congressional staff. Recent products are outlined below, as well as a listing of related CMF resources. We are also hosting regular webinars on workplace topics to share this research and recommendations with House and Senate offices.
Democracy Awards for "Life in Congress" Workplace Environment
Is your office a leader on workflex? Do you invest in your staff’s professional development and their performance? You could be eligible for a CMF Democracy Award! The “Life in Congress” Workplace Environment category focuses on how an office treats its employees and what kind of office culture it creates. Learn more about the award criteria and how to apply
Workplace Training Programs
As part of the "Life in Congress" project, CMF and SHRM regularly conduct training programs on workplace topics such as performance management, creating a positive office culture, improving your hiring process, and why workplace flexibility is important in Congress. Read more
"Life in Congress" Research & Reports
In 2011, CMF and SHRM surveyed a random sample of Members of the House of Representatives and surveyed all House and Senate personal office staff. More than 1,400 staff and 25 Members of Congress participated in the research. The resulting data was published in the following three reports in 2012 and 2013:
- "Life in Congress: Aligning Work and Life in the U.S. House and Senate" focuses on the work-life issues of House and Senate staff. It offers an inside look at the workloads of staff and their struggles in managing the multiple demands of work, family and personal responsibilities.
- "Life in Congress: The Member Perspective" focuses on the job of Members of the House of Representatives from the legislator’s perspective. It offers the first view of the challenges lawmakers face in managing the demands of constituents, interacting with colleagues, overseeing a staff, and still having a home life.
- "Life in Congress: Job Satisfaction and Engagement of House and Senate Staff" reveals what House and Senate value most about their workplace.
In addition to these reports, CMF has also produced additional studies and resources:
Workflex Toolkit for Congress
The "Workflex Toolkit for Congress" is a combination of advice and research that is designed to help educate congressional managers and employees about flexibility in the workplace. The booklet explains what workflex is, why it's important, and how it can be implemented in Congress by addressing obstacles to workflex, conducting organizational and employee assessments, and drafting workflex plans that work for the office and for the staffer. Read more
Congressional Benefits and Personnel Practices
CMF conducted a study on the benefits and office policies of House and Senate personal offices to provide congressional managers with guidance on common practices. The study reports on the benefits currently provided to Member office staff—such as leave, family-friendly benefits, bonuses, etc.—as well as personnel practices, such as performance reviews and staff retention tactics. Read more
Related Research
Managing Changes in Budgets and Benefits
To help offices manage recent changes in their budgets and staff benefits, CMF conducted a survey of House and Senate Chiefs of Staff and District/State Directors in November-December 2013. The resulting data was presented to senior managers in a one-hour webinar that discussed the findings, their implications on staff retention and the work environment, and options for managers to address and manage these changes. Read more
Managing the 2012 Budget Cuts in House Offices
In late 2011, CMF produced a short manual to help offices address an unprecedented management challenge – cutting their annual expenditures sharply in two successive years. The manual includes an analysis of expenditure data, ideas for how to cut office budgets, and critical discussion of how these strategies may affect their workplaces. The guidance in this manual continues to be relevant for those offices seeking to conduct an assessment of their spending and budget allocations. Read more
Staff Employment/Salary Studies
For more than 20 years, one of the key services CMF has provided to congressional offices are compensation, hiring and benefit studies. These reports collected data about House and Senate personal office staff, including a range of compensation data, a demographic breakout for all positions common to personal offices, office benefits and personnel practices. Read more
Working in Congress: The Staff Perspective
This 1994 report documented for the first time how congressional staff view the work environment of Congress — what they find rewarding and frustrating about their jobs. It was based on an extensive survey completed by 1,400 congressional staff, conducted on behalf of the Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress, and a series of focus groups and interviews with present and former staff. Read more
