Congressional Crisis Preparation & Response Center

Managing During the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond

The Congressional Management Foundation has compiled the following resources page as a one-stop location for finding all of our information relevant to congressional offices operating under the current COVID-19 circumstances and managing staff remotely. In light of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, we have added additional related resources to help congressional managers and staff.

Featured Resources

January 6 Oral History Project

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society invites the entire Congressional community to participate in the organization’s “January 6 Oral History Project.” This includes Members and staffs of both parties, U.S. Capitol building employees, and the families of any person impacted by January 6. Not only is it important to preserve that day’s memories, lessons, and experiences for future generations of American citizens and scholars, discussing your experience can be therapeutic and help improve your well-being. This Oral History project is not part of any investigative committee.

CapitolStrong

CapitolStrong is a coalition of civil society organizations working to strengthen and invest in the institution of Congress and the people who serve there. The CapitolStrong website links to many resources designed to help legislative branch staff respond to the trauma of January 6.

Managing Trauma & Stress

This webinar, hosted by CMF and SHRM as part of the "Life in Congress project," featured former Rep. Brian Baird, a clinical psychologist, who offered guidance on responding to the traumatic events of January 6 and the stresses of the pandemic.

Personal Safety & Preparedness

This webinar, hosted by CMF and SHRM as part of the "Life in Congress project," featured former Rep. Brian Baird, a clinical psychologist, and self-defense expert Derrek Hofrichter who shared personal safety tips, strategies, and best practices to help staff manage the challenges faced in today's climate.

Additional Resources

Crisis Management

Your Team Could Be Hurting – Here’s How Managers and Leaders Can Help
How to Manage a Congressional Office Remotely During a Crisis - Moving to remote operations was a massive change that was rapid and unexpected. This March 2020 webinar discussed 5 changes to immediately consider, the 6 common mistakes in a crisis, and how to improve virtual meetings.
Creative Responses in Congress to Changing DC Operations - Challenges in responding to the coronavirus pandemic have forced congressional offices to rethink priorities and responsibilities to focus on an ever-increasing and changing workload. This webinar featured three House and Senate Chiefs of Staff who shared their experiences, challenges, and innovations in their DC operations.
Creative Responses in Congress to Increased District/State Needs - Congressional offices also had to rethink constituent priorities, staff responsibilities, and how to address an ever-growing focus on responding to constituents back home. This webinar featured three senior congressional managers sharing their experiences, challenges, and innovations in their district/state operations.
Decisions the Office Needs to Make
How the Crisis Might Influence Future Office Plans
The 6 Most Common Mistakes Organizations Make in Managing Crises
Managing During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Initial Questions to Consider

Remote Work/Workplace Flexibility

Successfully Managing Remote Interns - CMF developed a checklist that provides management tips and best practices for virtual internships and then partnered with College to Congress, in conjunction with the Modernization Staff Association, on a webinar to discuss how to redesign your internship program for remote/virtual interns. Read more
"Working From Home Guide for Staff Assistants & Legislative Correspondents" - This guide, created by the Modernization Staff Association, includes bipartisan suggestions on how to more effectively handle the phones, constituent mail, tours/flags, and remote interns.
"Workflex Toolkit for Congress" - This handy guide from CMF and SHRM has guidance and worksheets for setting up flexible work arrangements, such as telework and part-time hours.

Constituent Services/Casework/Communications

Change Your Phone Answering Policies AGAIN
"The Future of Citizen Engagement: Coronavirus, Congress, and Constituent Communications" - This report explores how Members of Congress and their staff engaged with citizens while navigating the constraints posed by COVID-19, and offers examples of how Congress can substantively connect with constituents using modern technology against the backdrop of a global pandemic.
Managing Casework Burnout and Stress (PDF)
Communicating with Distressed Constituents (PDF)
Online Town Halls for the COVID-19 Crisis: Proven Methods to Connect, Learn, and Lead - In this webinar, CMF and our partners at Ohio State discussed innovative techniques for conducting online and telephone town halls and how these improved methods could make a difference during the COVID-19 crisis.
Improving Telephone and Online Town Halls - CMF and our academic partners have conducted groundbreaking research on innovative (yet simple) ways to improve telephone and online town hall meetings. Access our research, reports, and recommendations on this page.

Employee Assistance & Support

Managing Staff While Under Attack - This webinar, hosted by CMF and SHRM as part of the "Life in Congress project," featured former Rep. Brian Baird, a clinical psychologist, and former staffer Nicole Tisdale who offered strategies and guidance on dealing with the trauma associated with the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Managing Stress in Staff and Constituents During a Crisis - This webinar, hosted by CMF and SHRM, featured former Rep. Brian Baird, a clinical psychologist, who offered strategies and communication skills for dealing with emotional constituents, as well as ways for staff to manage their own emotions during this stressful time.
Strengthening Employee Well-Being and Personal Resilience
The Senate Employee Assistance Program and the House Office of Employee Assistance have many resources available to congressional staff (and your families), such as counseling, LifeCare, mindfulness apps, and online/recorded training. Please visit your intranets for more information or contact them directly:
- Senate Employee Assistance Program: 202-224-3902 and http://webster.senate.gov/eap/
- House Office of Employee Assistance: OEA Services Brochure 2021(85 KB) - Contact: 202-225-2400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and information is available at HouseNet.house.gov/EmployeeAssistance
Quick Guide to Health, Safety and Workplace Rights - LegiDash, a project of the nonpartisan POPVOX Foundation, assembled this guide for congressional staff to raise awareness on the resources available and the processes in place related to workplace rights and safety in Congress.

Useful Articles

Return to Office/Managing Hybrid Workforces

Don't Let Returning to the Office Burn Out Your Team – Harvard Business Review
6 Best Practices For Easing Return-to-Office Anxiety – US Chamber of Commerce
Making the Hybrid Workplace Fair – Harvard Business Review
The Future of Hybrid Work: 5 Key Questions Answered With Data – Gallup
How To Sustain Company Culture In A Hybrid Work Model – Forbes

Remote Work

What Is Your Organization’s Long-Term Remote Work Strategy? – Harvard Business Review
How to Get People to Actually Participate in Virtual Meetings – Harvard Business Review
Leading Remote Workers: The Coronavirus' Impact On Effective Management
12 Tips For Making Your Virtual Meetings More Professional - Forbes
9 Tips To Be Productive When Working At Home During COVID-19
15 Questions About Remote Work, Answered