Congresswoman Torres Urges Chair of Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group to Release Results of Workplace Survey

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) sent a letter to Judge Robert James Conrad Jr., Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, urging the Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group (WCWG) to make public the results of the first national federal judiciary workplace climate survey. The survey results would reveal available data detailing the Judiciary's process to prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse in workplaces.

"After years of Congress urging the Judiciary to improve these systems, I remain concerned with the lack of data available detailing the Judiciary's processes to prevent abuse," said Congresswoman Torres. "I understand that implementing meaningful change in this arena is difficult, but it is necessary. Creating systems that effectively allow employees to report abuse would empower more people to report instances of abuse that previously went unchecked. Together, Congress and the Judiciary must hold as our shared goal the strengthening of Judicial institutions to protect every employee, and I stand ready to support legislation providing additional resources to produce this change."

"The Federal Judiciary needs to establish transparent and trustworthy systems that ensure the protection of employees, even in cases where individuals fail to fulfill their responsibilities. As previously noted by the Judiciary, the Constitution has established that the integrity and independence of the branch take precedence over the individuals' independence. This notion relies on the courage and integrity of individual judges and the public perception of the institution as fair, impartial, and efficient."

Background: The Congresswoman urges for changes to:

• Release a credible and transparent report to Congress and the public that includes recommendations for improving these systems supported by the de-identified statistics of the national climate survey.
• Commit to more transparency in these systems, including increased data collection and audits, and sharing the results with Congress, and when appropriate the public, to continuously strengthen the institution.
• Provide free legal counsel to employees regarding their workplace rights, similar to the Office of Employee Advocacy of the House.
• Incorporate additional monetary remedies into the Judiciary's employee complaint process.
• Request from Congress any additional resources you may need to accomplish the above.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

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