A new platform wants to bring transparency to one of Washington's worst-kept secrets: that some congressional offices are absolute nightmares to work in.
Capitol CNCT recently launched The Scoop, a confidential rating system that lets current and former Hill staffers weigh in on the members and offices they have worked for. The categories cover everything from office culture and work-life balance to pay, leadership and whether there is a clear path to promotion.
The reviews are verified and authenticated to protect identities while ensuring the feedback comes from people who actually worked in the offices they are reviewing.
Capitol CNCT CEO David Tennent told Sources Say News the platform was born out of a glaring gap in transparency on the Hill.
Staffers are the heart and soul of Capitol Hill, yet historically there has been little transparency around what it's actually like to work in a Congressional office," he said.
Unlike most workplaces, Congress has no HR department, which means bad behavior by members and senior staff can go unreported and unchecked for years. The Scoop is designed to close that gap, giving staffers a safe place to share their experiences — including a way to anonymously flag potential ethics violations, Tennent said.
Sources Say News got an early look at some of the reviews already posted on the platform, and several of them were very candid.
"Leadership is abusive. Lies about promotions and bonuses. So much drama. This place will leach at your mental health like a vampire. These people are expert manipulators. Beware. You'll see,” one said.
"The Scoop is CNCT's newest resource giving staffers a way to share their experiences, highlight the best and worst management practices on the Hill, and make more informed decisions about where they work. Everything CNCT builds is intended to make Congressional staffers' lives easier. We hope this brings greater accountability to how offices are managed and encourages better leadership across the Hill," Tennent told Sources Say News.
Any staffer who is threatened or discouraged from using the platform can reach out confidentially to [email protected].
