Calendar

FELTG Executive Director Deborah Hopkins instructing a class
Apr
22
Mon
Virtual Training Event – Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law
Apr 22 – Apr 25 all-day

Event Description

FELTG’s annual Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law has a simple mission — to  ensure the Federal workplace is accountable, that it looks more like the America it serves, and that you have all of the necessary tools to make this happen. Whether you’re an HR professional, attorney, supervisor, advisor, or an EEO or ER/LR specialist, you’ll find useful guidance in multiple events this week.

This year’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law aims to help you succeed in the the Federal workplace circa 2024. We’ll guide you through the ever-changing law, share the steps for succeeding with up-and-down performers, provide guidance on how to make your team more resilient, offer tips for ensuring equity in hiring, and much more.

With 7 unique sessions over 4 days, FELTG’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law offers an opportunity to receive guidance with a fresh perspective. And many sessions offer opportunities to pick up CLE or EEO refresher credits.

Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law provides benefits you just can’t get from online virtual training providers. You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for the whole program.  Also, the training is presented LIVE by FELTG’s experienced and respected instructors, who will answer your questions, so you get answers in real time. Don’t put off getting the important training you need.

Download Individual Registration Form

This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.

Download Individual Registration Form

 

Monday, April 22, 2024

Session 1
2 – 4 pm ET
What They’re Saying: MSPB, EEOC, and FLRA Case Law Update
Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

 

 

Course description: FELTG’s annual Emerging Issues Conference kicks off with a two-hour dive into the most significant caselaw coming out of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the Federal Circuit. These Federal employment law cases impact your day-to-day work, so join us and learn how to ensure a discrimination-free workplace and take effective action on performance and conduct that will hold up to third-party scrutiny.  Earn 2 CLE credits. 1

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Evaluate the significance of the recent case decisions in Federal employment law.
  • Avoid mistakes in performance and conduct actions.
  • Identify and immediately address potential discrimination.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Session 2
11 am – 1 pm ET
What Exactly is Undue Hardship Anymore?
Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

 

 

Course Description:The Supreme Court upended decades of precedent in its unanimous decision Groff v. DeJoy. This is a big change for the concept of undue hardship in religious accommodation, experts say. But is it really? And how does it differ when it comes to reasonable accommodations for disability or pregnancy? Mr. Woods will deconstruct the distinctions between accommodations and explain the legal ramifications of each. Earn 2 CLE credits. 

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Understand how an agency can prove undue hardship – and how it cannot.
  • Describe the differences between undue hardship for religious, disability, and pregnancy accommodations.
  • Handle employees’ requests to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons.

 


Session 3
2 – 4 pm ET 
Driving Resilience and Mental Wellbeing in the Federal Workplace
Presented by Shana Palmieri, LCSW, FELTG Instructor

 

 

 

Course Description: A successful team is one that can handle unexpected and stressful situations. How do you build that kind of resilience among your employees? Ms. Palmieri will explain the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace as well as how to manage toxic and other difficult employees who derail team success.

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Understand mental well-being in the workplace.
  • Reduce toxic dynamics.
  • Implement strategies to retain and attract a high-functioning team.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Session 4
11 am – 1 pm ET
Equity in Hiring 
Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

 

 

Course Description: This session will provide step-by-step guide for ensuring fair treatment and nondiscrimination in every phase of your hiring process, from developing selection criteria, through recruitment and all the way to the conditional offer, with a special focus on structured interviews that are fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory. You will leave this class with the keys and tools for creating a well-qualified workforce, while avoiding the mistakes that have befallen many other agencies. Plus, you’ll learn how to best defend against allegations of discriminatory hiring.  Earn 2 CLE credits. 2

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Conduct effective and equitable structured interviews.
  • Identify problematic interview questions.
  • Recognize bias in the hiring process.

Session 5
2 – 4 pm ET
Engagement to Motivation — the FEVS and Beyond
Presented by Susan Schneider, EdM, MS, FELTG Instructor

 

 

 

Course description: Employee Engagement (EE) is vital to meet today’s challenges in the Federal workplace. Each year, agencies receive an EE score, based upon a survey done months before. The data is limited, particularly for regulatory organizations in the spotlight. This course describes the limitations of the EE score and examines the link between engagement, motivation, and leveraging employees’ strengths. Participants will explore realistic strategies for increasing engagement and creating tailored, timely measures of EE.

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of engagement and motivation.
  • Explain the limitations of FEVS’ measurement of employee engagement.
  • Create realistic strategies for increasing engagement, including opportunities for employees to use their strengths.
  • Produce tailored and timely measures of engagement.

 


Thursday, April 25, 2024

Session 6
11 am – 1 pm
Say Whaaat?!? Respectful Communication in the Workplace
Presented by Roslyn Brown, President/CEO at EEO Workplace Strategies

 

 

 

Course description: Subtle and overt language, joking, off-handed comments, and offensive comments and gestures can lead to a hostile work environment. And that includes ill-advised, even if not ill-intentioned, phrases such as “hold down the fort” and “low man on the totem pole.” Being a respectful communicator means more than just not offending anyone, it also means taking preventive measures to tailor your communication to avoid misunderstandings, irrespective of the cultural and ethnic differences that we all bring into the workplace. Roslyn Brown will not only explain why certain phrases are troublesome but show you what to do when something offensive is said. 2

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Recognize cultural expressions that are offensive to people in protected classes.
  • Explain the importance of a respectful workplace in complying with the Executive Order on Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Federal workplace.
  • Intervene effectively when offensive comments are made in the workplace.

 


Session 7
2 – 4 pm ET
Managing Chronic Performance and Conduct Issues
Presented by Deborah Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

 

 

 

Course description: Whether it’s up-and-down roller coaster performers or repeat offenders of misconduct, chronically challenging employees eat up time, create workplace stress, and dampen productivity. And it will only get worse until you address the issue. FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will share the tools necessary to address performance issues and lay the groundwork for progressive discipline. Attendees will leave with the confidence to swiftly address poor-performing and misbehaving employees.

Course objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Differentiate between performance problems and misconduct.
  • Manage an employee’s wide swings of performance.
  • Effectively apply progressive discipline.

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by March 22):
    • Per Session = $345
    • April 22-25 All Access  = $1995
  • Standard Tuition (register March 23-April 25)
    • Per Session = $385
    • April 22-25 All Access = $2295
  • Rates per registrant and may not be used for groups under any circumstances. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

  • Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
    • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
  • How do I claim CLE or EEO refresher credits?
    • This program has been submitted (and we anticipate this program will be approved) for Virginia CLE credits. Members of other state bars must submit for CLE credit on their own, and may use the materials provided by FELTG in submissions. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended, and will designate how many EEO refresher hours were earned.
  • Can I get HRCI credits for attending this class?
    • Each session is approved for 2 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.
  • Can I share my access link with co-workers?
    • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
  • Can I register a teleworker?
    • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
  • How do I receive a group rate discount?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through March 22.

Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.

 

May
14
Tue
Virtual Training Event – All Clear? When Employee Security Clearances are Revoked or Suspended
May 14 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Course Description

If a federal employee is required to have access to classified information, then the employee must be eligible for a security clearance in order to keep that position. What happens when that employee no longer has that clearance? What role does the MSPB play? What proof does the agency need to provide if the employee appeals a removal? What are the pitfalls that agencies need to avoid?

During this two-hour virtual event, Ann Boehm will detail how to handle a security clearance revocation and any resulting indefinite suspension or removal from employment. Ms. Boehm spent 26 years as a government attorney, focusing primarily on employment and labor law in federal enforcement agencies, so she’s just the person to answer any questions you might have – and she’ll do so in this live event.

This is an important topic that can’t be ignored. Employee security clearances are a matter of national security, and they must be handled appropriately.

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Identify and understand the executive orders pertaining to national security.
  • Understand the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.
  • Recognize the agency’s burden when removing or suspending for failure to maintain a security clearance.

 

Date and Time

May 14, 2024, 1 – 3 pm ET

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by April 13): $345
  • Standard Tuition (register April 14 or later): $385
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through April 13. Contact FELTG.

 

Event FAQs

  • Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
    • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
  • Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
    • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
  • Can I share my access link with co-workers?
    • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
  • Can I register a teleworker?
    • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
  • How do I receive a group rate discount?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through April 13. 

Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.

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