COVID-19 Note: The host facility has guaranteed to provide seating according to CDC social distance guidelines with 6 feet minimum space between attendees, and will take other health and safety precautions to ensure guests feel safe.
As an Employee Relations Specialist, you have a challenging job, and you never know just what personnel challenges might find a spot on your ever-increasing “to do” list.
This seminar starts by grounding the student in the laws, regulations and policies associated with job functions, and provides an explanation on how ER fits within the agency’s greater HR function. After the basics, we’ll dive in to a number of unique topics, which include (but definitely are not limited to) performance plans, standards and recognition; hours of work — including overtime and compensatory time; pay and RIFs; furloughs; handling specific disciplinary situations; leave – including types, accrual, FMLA, military leave and leave stacking; involuntary separations; dispute resolution; EAPs; medical issues and injury compensation; drug testing; plus basic EEO information – including disparate treatment, disparate impact and reasonable accommodation.
Daily sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Instructor
Daily Agenda
Monday
Introduction to Employee Relations: Functions, key terms and concepts; intersection of Employee Relations and Labor Relations; merit system principles; hours of work; modified schedules; overtime; types of leave.
Tuesday
Leave Administration: Introduction to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Medical documentation; military leave; administrative leave; performance management appraisal periods; monitoring performance; grievances and appeals; 432 actions.
Wednesday
Performance Issues & Introduction to EEO: Performance Plans; Performance measures; employee recognition; Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs); introduction to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): framework and disparate impact.
Thursday
Discipline Issues: Discipline Overview; Responsibilities of HR and supervisors; adverse actions; penalties; alternative discipline; standards of proof; harmful error; specific disciplinary situations; methods of dispute resolution.
Friday
Employee Relations Potpourri: Separations, Retirement; Involuntary Actions; Medical issues: qualification and documentations; reasonable accommodation; drug testing; roles and responsibilities of HR in the process.
Pricing
Most people attend the full training week, but you may opt out of any days you don’t plan to attend.
Early Bird Tuition (register by June 7):
- 5 days = $2190
- 4 days = $1795
- 3 days = $1385
- 2 days = $980
- 1 day = $540
Standard Tuition (register June 8-25):
- 5 days = $2290
- 4 days = $1895
- 3 days = $1485
- 2 days = $1080
- 1 day = $640
Lodging
The host hotel, the Sheraton Denver West, has a limited block of rooms set aside at the per diem rate. Call the hotel directly at 303-987-2000 and mention this training event to receive the special rate.
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.
COVID-19 Note: We are hoping to hold this class in person. If that is not possible the class will be held virtually.
Registration Opening Soon.
This week focuses on conducting administrative investigations in the federal workplace with an emphasis on employee misconduct including workplace harassment. After an overview of the substantive law, participants will learn procedures and best practices for conducting investigations in the federal workplace, including planning the investigation, fact finding, collecting evidence, dealing with witnesses, understanding types of questioning, and testifying at hearing. The week concludes with a day focused on writing an investigative report.
Instructors
TBD
Daily Agenda
Administrative Investigations: The Substantive Basis: Why investigate; discipline law and elements; understanding charges of misconduct; collecting penalty evidence; law behind other types of administrative investigations; witness rights; union representation.
Tuesday
Harassment Investigations: Investigating allegations of harassment; differentiating between EEO and non-EEO harassment; the intersection with criminal investigations; special considerations in light of #MeToo and #TimesUp.
Wednesday
Conducting the Investigation, Part I: Evidentiary principles; purpose of investigation; preparing for the investigation; role of the investigator; planning the investigation. beginning the interview.
Thursday
Conducting the Investigation, Part II: Conducting the interview; handling difficult witnesses; assessing credibility/lies/hearing what isn’t said; body language; gathering other evidence; technology and investigations; high profile case considerations; testifying at an administrative hearing; rules for being an effective witness.
Friday
Writing the Investigative Report: Organizing for the report; establishing the chronology; writing for your audience; report writing style; report writing conventions; report organization; sample report.
Pricing
Most people attend the full training week, but you may opt out of any days you don’t plan to attend.
Early Bird Tuition (register by July 18):
- 5 days = $2290
- 4 days = $1875
- 3 days = $1445
- 2 days = $1020
- 1 day = $560
Standard Tuition (register July 19 or later):
- 5 days = $2390
- 4 days = $1975
- 3 days = $1585
- 2 days = $1120
- 1 day = $660
Lodging
The host hotel, the Sheraton Denver West, has a limited block of rooms set aside at the per diem rate. Call the hotel directly at 303-987-2000 and mention this training event to receive the special rate.
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.