Calendar

FELTG Executive Director Deborah Hopkins instructing a class
Jun
13
Thu
Webinar – 50 Shades of Reprisal: Whistleblower, EEO, Union & Veteran Reprisal
Jun 13 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Reprisal is a term that gets used a lot, but did you know that it has different definitions in different cases? If you join FELTG President Deborah Hopkins during this 90-minute webinar to find out exactly where the differences lie, you just might save your agency from losing a reprisal case.

During this interactive discussion, Ms. Hopkins will explain the legal background on the various forms of reprisal and why it’s such an important area of focus in federal employee statutory protection. From there, she will talk about:

  • Whistleblower reprisal: the standards, burden of proof, and actions that constitute reprisal
  • The many forms of EEO reprisal and why it’s the most common category in discrimination findings
  • Reprisal for union activity, including what type of activity falls outside the bounds of coverage
  • What is legal and not legal when considering someone’s veteran status in making employment-related decisions
  • The distinction between reprisal and retaliation

This is an event you won’t want to miss, whether you’re an attorney, LER specialist, EEO specialist, union official or supervisor. We hope you’ll join us.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (registration submitted by June 3)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (registration submitted June 4 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

Jun
18
Tue
Webinar — Significant Cases and Developments at the FLRA
Jun 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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Instructor

Joe Schimansky

Course Description

We are still getting used to this “new” FLRA. With Chair Colleen Duffy Kiko joining James Abbott and Ernest DuBester, and with the the nomination of Catherine Bird to be General Counsel, the FLRA will soon be at full strength. What will the next year bring for this new group?

Joe Schimansky, former Executive Director of the Federal Service Impasses Panel, will take a look at what’e been happening, and what’s likely to happen in the next few months at the FLRA. He’ll take a look at the most important new decisions to demonstrate how the world of federal labor relations is changing daily, and will provide an explanation of where everything stands with game-changing executive orders issued a year ago by President Trump.

In addition, attendees will learn about the FLRA’s most recent perspectives on:

  • Attorneys fees
  • The distinction between working conditions and conditions of employment
  • Representation cases
  • Excessive interference test
  • And much more

If you are involved in federal sector labor relations, this is a topic you can’t afford to miss.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $225 per site (payment required by June 7)

Standard Tuition: $255 per site (for payments made June 8 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Jun
25
Tue
Developing & Defending Discipline: Holding Federal Employees Accountable – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Jun 25 – Jun 27 all-day

Download Registration Form

Holding federal employees accountable for performance and conduct is easier than you might think. Too many supervisors believe that an employee’s protected activity (EEO complaints, whistleblower disclosures, or union activity) precludes the supervisor from initiating a suspension or removal, but that’s just not true.

FELTG is here to make federal supervisors’ lives easier by clarifying those misconceptions while helping supervisors understand how to take defensible misconduct actions quickly and fairly – actions that withstand scrutiny on appeal by the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration. Plus, if you have a non-performing employee working for you now, we show you how you can remove that employee from your workplace in 31 days, among many other things. Join us for this three-day seminar and come away with the tools you need to hold your employees accountable.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and meets OPM’s mandatory training requirements for federal supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Daily Agenda:

Tuesday

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I: Accountability and supervisory authority; discipline and misconduct theory and practice; penalty defense and due process; discipline procedures and appeals; psychology of performance appraisal; performance-based removal procedures.

Wednesday

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II: Completing a performance action; team workshop; handling the absent employee and dealing with attendance issues; medical removals; union considerations; mentorship in the federal government.

Thursday

Defending Against Discrimination Complaints: The Supervisor’s Role: The role of EEO in the federal government; defining protected categories: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information and reprisal; theories of discrimination; agency defenses; what to do if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint; what happens if you’re called as an EEO witness.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by June 11):

  • 3 days = $1380
  • 2 days = $980
  • 1 day = $540

Standard Tuition (register June 12-27):

  • 3 days = $1480
  • 2 days = $1080
  • 1 day = $640

Seminar registration includes a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 4th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins.

 

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Jun 25 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Jun
27
Thu
Webinar – Employee Sexual Misconduct: Discipline Early to Make Your Agency a Safer Place
Jun 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1.5

In 2017, an MSPB survey revealed that more than 20 percent of female federal employees were sexually harassed in the workplace between 2014 and 2016. There has been a lot of talk about the need for training on this important topic. But now it’s time for action.

Let FELTG help you take that action. Join us for the 90-minute webinar Employee Sexual Misconduct: Discipline Early to Make Your Agency a Safer Place. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins, attorney at law, will show you how to address sexual harassment in the federal government as MISCONDUCT — not just as an EEO issue.

We’ll discuss the foundational law and how sexual harassment cases come to be, but our emphasis will be on STOPPING it from happening by addressing the misconduct before it becomes a problem. Case examples will show you the best ways to handle inappropriate sexual conduct from employees and supervisors – and things to avoid. We hope you’ll be able to attend this important discussion.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by June 17)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made June 18 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Jul
9
Tue
Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Jul 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Jul
11
Thu
Webinar – Words Matter: Drafting Defensible Charges in Misconduct Cases
Jul 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

If you’ve attended a FELTG training or read our newsletters, you know how important we believe word selection is when framing charges of employee misconduct. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins, attorney at law, will conduct a 90-minute webinar discussing best practices for drafting disciplinary documents that will withstand even the harshest scrutiny by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) or an arbitrator.

After the proper statutory foundation is laid, this program will cover:

  • The four mandatory rules of charging
  • The three styles of charging
  • Charge specifications and label elements
  • Why less is more in proposal and decision letters
  • Specific words to use – and avoid – in drafting charging documents

Whether you’re new to drafting disciplinary documents, or you’ve been doing it for years, your work will be more efficient, professional, and defensible if you participate in this program. Register your site today!

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by July 1)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made July 2 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Jul
15
Mon
Emerging Issues Week: The Federal Workplace’s Most Challenging Situations – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Jul 15 – Jul 19 all-day

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah HopkinsShana Palmieri, Katherine AtkinsonAnthony Marchese

Course Description

Navigating your role in the modern federal workplace requires not just the legal knowledge, but also the practical skills to handle the most intense and challenging situations. For example, do you know what to do in the following scenarios?

  • An employee with bipolar disorder is having a manic episode in the workplace.
  • An employee threatens violence or suicide.
  • An employee claims she is being sexually harassed by one of your best performers.
  • You’ve heard reports that another manager is bullying an employee.
  • An employee is requesting leave or telework as a reasonable accommodation.
  • An employee is wasting time on social media when he is supposed to be working.

We will provide you the specific legal, practical and clinical guidance you need to reply effectively in these and many other difficult situations during our all-new Emerging Issues Week. You’ll gain the tools to better understand how to:

  • Deal with employees who have mental and behavioral health issues.
  • Handle sexual harassment and bullying claims.
  • Manage risk in your agency.
  • Handle the conflicts that take your employees off task.
  • Respond appropriately to the most challenging reasonable accommodation requests.

Daily Agenda:

Monday

Handling Behavioral Health Issues: An overview of the ADA requirements on accommodating individuals with mental impairments and other behavioral health issues; your agency’s legal obligation to provide its employees with a safe workplace; types of mental disabilities and how they may exhibit in the workplace; PTSD, substance abuse disorders; dos and don’ts when working with employees who have behavioral health issues.

Tuesday

Dealing with Threats of Violence: Handling the psychiatric emergency; legal considerations for federal agencies; dangerous scenarios during the notice period; myths and facts about targeted violence in the workplace; dealing with suicidal employees; individual characteristics that put an employee at higher risk of committing an act of violence; how to develop and implement an in-house threat management team to deal with threat assessments, risk management, and the best ways to keep employees safe during a crisis; steps to take if someone becomes violent in the workplace.

Wednesday

Employee Conflict Management: Managing vs. leading; difficult employee personality types; potential generational conflicts; using structured communication with your employees; learning how to “Flex” in difficult conversations with others; conflict resolution skills; utilizing a team-based approach in the federal government.

Thursday

Harassment Allegations and Investigations: Differentiating between EEO and non-EEO harassment; investigating harassment allegations; the intersection with criminal investigations; bullying; special considerations in light of #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Friday

The Nontraditional Workplace: Telework, Reasonable Accommodation, and Technology Challenges: Accountability for a mobile workforce; telework or flexible schedules as reasonable accommodation; challenges with technology in the federal workplace.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by July 1):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register July 2 – July 19):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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.

Jul
22
Mon
Managing Federal Employee Accountability – Portland
Jul 22 – Jul 26 all-day

Download Registration Form

Attention, all federal supervisors (and those who advise them): this is a program you can’t afford to miss. This week covers a range of topics including employee accountability for conduct and performance, managing leave abuse, handling EEO complaints, reasonable accommodation, workplace management and leadership skills, and managing difficult employees.

Supervisors who complete this training meet OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga

Daily Agenda:

Monday

Uncivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Conduct: Fundamentals of disciplinary actions; establishing rules of conduct; proving misconduct; selecting a defensible penalty; providing due process via agency discipline procedures; drafting disciplinary documents; alternatives to discipline.

Tuesday

Maximizing Accountability in Performance: Eliminating unnecessary barriers to addressing poor performance; analyzing your existing appraisal systems; writing clear, measurable, and enforceable performance standards; Within Grade Increases (WIGIs); eliminating unacceptable performance requirements that are not based on law/regulation; employee opportunity periods.

Wednesday

Handling Employee Leave Issues: An overview of leave types and entitlements; annual leave; sick leave; AWOL and Leave Without Pay; FMLA crash course; medical certification requirements; substitution of paid leave; handling complicated leave issues; leave abuse.

Thursday

The Supervisor’s Role in EEO: The role of EEO in the federal government; defining protected categories: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information and reprisal; documentation to help you defend against frivolous complaints; what to do if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint.

Friday

Effectively Managing Today’s Federal Workforce: Communicating effectively with employees; managing teleworkers; managing a multigenerational workforce; handling difficult employees; mentorship.

Supervisors who attend the full week will receive a certificate verifying participation in OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors, found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

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 8):

  • 5 days = $2180
  • 4 days = $1790
  • 3 days = $1380
  • 2 days = $980
  • 1 day = $540

Standard Tuition (register July 9 – July 26):

  • 5 days = $2280
  • 4 days = $1890
  • 3 days = $1480
  • 2 days = $1080
  • 1 day = $640

Registered participants will receive a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant, fourth edition, by Wiley and Hopkins.

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.

Jul
23
Tue
Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Jul 23 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Jul
31
Wed
Webinar – Enjoined No More: What the Latest Decision on President Trump’s EOs Means for Today – And Tomorrow
Jul 31 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins, Joe Schimansky

Course Description

The drama continues.

President Trump issued three Executive Orders last year aimed at curtailing union activity and increasing supervisors’ ability to hold employees accountable for misconduct and shoddy performance. Three months later, several provisions of those Executive Orders were set aside as illegal, per a D.C. District Court judge decision.

And now, almost a year since the District Court decision, its ruling has been overturned by an Appeals Court. The Executive Orders are no longer enjoined.

If you think this all seems confusing, you’re not alone. As always, you can count on FELTG to help you through these confusing times. Join FELTG President and Attorney at Law Deborah Hopkins and Joseph Schimansky, former Executive Director of the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP), on July 31 for a 60-minute discussion about the most important takeaways from this decision. They will explain the key provisions of the Executive Orders, and spell out  exactly your agencies can, cannot, and should do under these EOs.

You’ll leave this important webinar with answers to the the 6 Ws:

  • Who is impacted by the latest decision?
  • What did the District and Appeals Courts actually decide?
  • Why did the courts make those decisions?
  • Where will the next challenge to the Executive Orders take place?
  • When will this all finally be resolved?
  • What does this mean for us today?

You can’t afford to miss this session. Register your site now.

Price

  • $225 per site through July 26, 2019.
  • $255 per site July 27, 2019 and later.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

Aug
5
Mon
Workplace Investigations Week – Denver @ Sheraton Denver West
Aug 5 – Aug 9 all-day

Download Registration Form

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.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and is pre-approved for 29 CLE credits in Virginia and California. It is also approved for 29 HRCI general recertification credits.

This program fulfills the requirements for 32-hour EEO Investigator training and 8-hour annual EEO investigator refresher training. It also meets the requirements for training under the Department of Interior’s Anti-Harassment Policy.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

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 22):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register July 23-August 9):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

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.

Aug
6
Tue
Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Aug 6 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Aug
20
Tue
Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Aug 20 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Aug
21
Wed
Employee Relations Spotlight: Managing Attendance and Conduct – Boulder City, NV @ Reclamation Training Center
Aug 21 – Aug 22 all-day

Download Registration Form

If only all employees showed up for work when they were supposed to and behaved like responsible adults. If so, your job would be easier. Also, you wouldn’t need to attend this open enrollment course. But alas, attendance and conduct challenges are very real. And very complicated. However, your time is limited. That’s why we created this intensive two-day course for supervisors and advisers. Over two days, leave expert Barbara Haga will provide you with everything you need to know to effectively handle your most challenging attendance and conduct issues.

Day one runs the gamut on attendance issues from AWOL to Sick Leave; from the ins and outs of the Family and Medical Leave Act to Leave Without Pay; from Annual Leave accrual to understanding the role of EEO in leave and attendance. On day two, you’ll learn the principles, understand the penalties, and gather the necessary tools to take effective and decisive disciplinary action.

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Daily Agenda:

 

Wednesday

Attendance Challenges:  Legislative and regulatory requirements related to employee relations programs; Merit Principles and Prohibited Personnel Practices; Annual Leave accrual; purposes for which sick leave may be used; sick leave for family care and bereavement; granting/denying sick leave; advanced leave; sick leave abuse, Disabled Veteran leave;  FMLA coverage, entitlements, and family member eligibility; serious health conditions; medical certification requirements, substitution of paid leave; Court Leave; LWOP; leave transfer; excused absence; AWOL; reasonable accommodation.

Thursday

Conduct Challenges:  Philosophy of discipline, roles in the process, and due process;  Nexus; Douglas factors; table of penalties; Pre-Action investigations; procedural requirements of disciplinary and adverse actions;  Common disciplinary charges, such as  Theft, insubordination, falsification, threats, misuse, negligence, unacceptable performance as a conduct matter, conduct unbecoming, excessive absence, and inability to perform; grievances and appeals; medical issues.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by August 13):

  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register August 8 – 22):

  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

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.

Sep
3
Tue
Webinar Series – Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions
Sep 3 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Meghan Droste, Ann Boehm

Course Description

 

Back by popular demand, and updated for 2019! Join FELTG for the most comprehensive supervisory training event available anywhere. Supervising Federal Employees: Managing Accountability and Defending Your Actions, a 13-part webinar training series (with a bonus session for those who supervise unionized employees), is targeted specifically to the issues and challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These 60-minute sessions, held every other Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. eastern time, will expand upon legal principles to provide federal supervisors with the necessary tools and best practices they need to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. Plus, they’ll have a chance to ask questions and get answers – in real time.

As a special bonus, the first six modules fulfill OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

2019 dates:

March 5: Accountability for Performance and Conduct: The Foundation: The distinction between performance and conduct; an overview on holding employees accountable; setting the stage for discipline and performance actions.

March 19: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part I: The five elements of discipline in the federal government; documentation supervisors need to succeed in a disciplinary action. 

April 2: Disciplining Employees for Misconduct, Part II: Disciplinary procedures: reprimand, suspension, termination; appeals process; agency liability. 

April 16: Writing Effective Performance Plans: Performance management; understanding the system; defining elements and standards; creating the performance plan.

April 30: Preparing an Unacceptable Performance Case: Performance in a nutshell; preparing a performance case; proof and evidence standards.

May 14: Dealing with Poor Performing Employees: Managing the PIP; proposed removal letters; unacceptable performance documents. 

May 28: Mentoring a Multigenerational Workforce: What OPM says about mentorship; mentorship styles; formal and informal mentorship; pilot mentorship programs; best practices for leadership; handling difficult employee types. 

June 11: Tackling Leave Issues I: Handling the leave issues most common in the federal government: annual leave, sick leave, leave transfer. 

June 25: Tackling Leave Issues II: Handling more complicated leave scenarios: FMLA, LWOP, administrative leave, AWOL. 

July 9: Disability Accommodation in 60 Minutes: Defining a disability; requests for accommodation; the interactive process; accommodations of choice; undue hardship. 

July 23: Intentional EEO Discrimination: What supervisors should know about EEO discrimination; discrete acts of discrimination; selection and promotion cases; defending against claims of intentional discrimination. 

August 6: Combating Against Hostile Work Environment Harassment Claims: The elements of a hostile work environment; liability in hostile work environment claims; tangible employment actions; harassment v. bullying; supervisor responsibilities in harassment claims; agency defenses. 

August 20: EEO Reprisal: Handle It, Don’t Fear It: How reprisal is different than other EEO claims; what the complainant must show to establish reprisal; how a supervisor can defend against reprisal claims; what to do and what not to do when an employee engages in protected EEO activity. 

September 3: Supervising in a Unionized Environment: The right to be bargained with; forming a union; employee and union rights; ULPs. 

Price

  • $225 per site, per session.
  • Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $35 each, per session, on a space-available basis.
  • Special series discounts available through March 1. See registration form for details.
Sep
5
Thu
Webinar – Sex Discrimination, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Protections in the Federal Workplace
Sep 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

The law regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace continues to evolve, but not in a way that makes the law clear. For example: The EEOC says sexual orientation and gender identity are protected under Title VII. The Department of Justice says just the opposite. There is the federal circuit split on the issue. And in October 2019, the Supreme Court will finally consider the issue.

It may be confusing, but you don’t have to be confused. In this 90-minute webinar, FELTG instructor Meghan Droste, attorney at law and experienced LGBTQ and Gender Issues Practice Group team lead, will explain where the law stands now. She will provide the latest information on protections under the law, define the terminology, and explain gender stereotyping as sex discrimination.

Attendees will also learn about:

  • Transgender status and legal protections
  • Identify the actions that have gotten agencies into legal trouble
  • Cases involving LGBTQ status and religion
  • The best practices for agencies to follow

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by August 26)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made August 27 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Sep
9
Mon
MSPB Law Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Sep 9 – Sep 13 all-day

Download Registration Form

The civil service world is changing and it’s important to be aware of the new laws and executive orders that apply to you. MSPB Law Week covers the basics of disciplinary charges and penalties, plus understanding the law and strategy in handling performance cases and defending against whistleblower reprisal complaints. Join top MSPB practitioners and topic authors, and learn the law, strategies, and techniques from their many years of combined experience.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, FELTG’s instructors are staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the information they need to know.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and is pre-approved for 29 CLE credits in Virginia and California. It is also approved for 29 HRCI general recertification credits.

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Daily Agenda

Monday

Adverse Actions: Statutory basis including the Civil Service Reform Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, the five elements of every disciplinary case and the burdens of proof, the fundamentals of penalty selection and defense, obtaining testimony to protect the penalty selection should one or more charges fail, types of evidence necessary to support a penalty selection, the MSPB’s power to mitigate a penalty and recent trends in the Board’s use of that authority, educating uninformed arbitrators, using alternatives to discipline.

Tuesday

Charges: Types of charges, parts of a charge, how charges are interpreted, the role of the proposing and deciding officials, capitalizing on the general charge, allowing the inclusion of lesser-included offenses, charging in the alternative, attractive options to difficult charges and common charging mistakes, proving the difficult “intent” charge element, a step by step approach to charge drafting.

Wednesday

Penalties: MSPB and Federal Circuit lead cases in penalty determination, getting “intent” penalties off of “non-intent” charges, proving harsh penalties off of vanilla charges, charging down and proving up, how the maximum penalty is established, an update of recent Board and court decisions: what’s really new and what’s old wine in new bottles, placing the emphasis on notice, the Board’s lack of a quorum, penalty mitigation changes.

Thursday

Unacceptable Performance: Performance actions in perspective, drafting a defensible performance standard, implementing PIP’s, defeating the PIP rollercoaster, accommodating disability-related poor performance, converting an unacceptable performance problem into a Part 752 disciplinary action, termination based on failing a performance quiz.

Friday

Defending Against Whistleblower Reprisal Claims and other Affirmative Defenses: Whistleblower claims: protected disclosures and whistleblower reprisal, claims of harmful error, reprisal for union activity, excessive penalty findings.

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 August 29):

  • 5 days = $2370
  • 4 days = $1960
  • 3 days = $1550
  • 2 days = $1140
  • 1 day = $680

Standard Tuition (register August 30 – September 13):

  • 5 days = $2470
  • 4 days = $2060
  • 3 days = $1650
  • 2 days = $1240
  • 1 day = $780

Seminar registration includes a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 4th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins.

 

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: The closest hotel to the training facility is the Carlyle Hotel, 1731 New Hampshire Ave NW. FELTG has a corporate ID # 786842108, and limited rooms are available at the federal rate if you book in advance. After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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.

Sep
10
Tue
Advanced Employee Relations – Norfolk, VA @ SpringHill Suites
Sep 10 – Sep 12 all-day

Download Registration Form

Let’s face it: being a federal sector Employee Relations Specialist is a tough job. It’s great to know the basics, but the basics don’t always help you when you’re facing those really challenging situations. That’s when you realize that there is much more to learn. No worries. FELTG is presenting Advanced Employee Relations, a three-day seminar focused on immersing you in the employee relations training you need most.

Held in Norfolk in September 2019, you’ll receive in-depth training on topics including leave, performance, misconduct, disability accommodation, and more. Plus, hands-on workshops will allow you to leave with the tools you’ll need to succeed. And it will all be taught by FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga.

Great training. Great instructor. Great location. Register now.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:30 each day.

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Daily Agenda:

Tuesday

Leave and Attendance: Administering leave, with particular emphasis on sick leave, LWOP, and FMLA. Detailed review of sick leave provisions including authorized purposes for use of sick leave, limitations on use of sick leave for family care and bereavement, eligibility to use leave for care, notice requirements, acceptable documentation. Management actions to control use of leave and abuse of sick leave. Detailed review of FMLA provisions including eligibility to invoke FMLA, entitlement, coverage of family members, administration and notice requirements. Acceptable medical documentation under FMLA, definition of serious health condition. Substitution of paid leave. Discipline tied to FMLA. LWOP – when LWOP is mandatory, limits on granting LWOP, employee status while on extended LWOP. Other topics –issues related to annual leave and leave transfer, other leave entitlements.

Wednesday

Performance Management: Managing performance from system establishment to conducting annual appraisals to taking actions linked to performance. GEAR initiative and other efforts focused on modifying Federal performance management system. Requirements for performance plans, including design of agency systems, rating schemes, and procedures for conducting appraisals. Revised DOD performance system to be implemented in 2016. Linkage between appraisal and other personnel management decisions, including reduction-in-force and within-grade increases. Writing effective and measurable performance criteria that will withstand third-party review, including a workshop where participants will do an in-depth review of performance plans. Requirements for successful performance-based actions – from drafting a PIP notice that will withstand scrutiny to conducting a bona fide PIP to ensuring that due process is met in effecting an action on unacceptable performance.

Thursday

Misconduct and Other Related Issues: Implementation of a successful disciplinary program – delegation of authority, role of advisors, warnings and cautions, use of administrative leave. Nexus. Dealing with comparators in determining a penalty. Involuntary actions – resignations and retirements. Ordering and Offering medical examinations. Specific disciplinary situations: handling situations when an employee is unable to perform including excessive leave, disability retirement, separation disability; conduct unbecoming; misuse and technology-related misconduct; failure to meet conditions of employment.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by August 27):

  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register August 28 – September 12):

  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

Lodging

The hotel has a limited block of rooms reserved for the event at the federal per diem rate. Please contact the hotel directly at 757-333-3100 and reference FELTG when booking.

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.

Sep
12
Thu
Webinar – Why the Douglas Factors Are Your Friend
Sep 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Course Description

We are often get asked: “Why should I use the Douglas factors?” Our answer is always: “Why in the world wouldn’t you?”

The Douglas factor analysis is incredibly useful in helping any manager figure out an appropriate penalty for an employee who engaged in misconduct.  If you don’t use Douglas, you are just penalizing based upon what seems or feels right, and that isn’t going to be easy to defend.

FELTG instructor Ann Boehm will explain the importance of the Douglas Factors even in the seemingly most relatively minor misconduct cases. After this 90-minute webinar, attendees will be able to :

  • Explain the importance of the Douglas Factors in penalty determination.
  • Address all 12 Douglas Factors in an analysis.
  • Identify cases that illustrate the perils of not considering the Douglas Factors.

 

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by September 2)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made September 3 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Sep
16
Mon
EEOC Law Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Sep 16 – Sep 20 all-day

This training is SOLD OUT. Register now for EEOC Law Week April 27 – May 1 to guarantee your spot for 2020!

If you’re looking for training that covers the gamut of EEO issues, and provides usable guidance for all practitioners, regardless of experience level, this is it: FELTG’s EEOC Law Week. FELTG’s expert speakers, drawing on years of experience from all sides of the litigation table, deliver a fast-paced week of strategies, principles, and authorities relative to the major aspects of the field of discrimination law in the federal government. This course is updated for 2019, and has a whole day focused on harassment. Register early because EEOC Law Week regularly sells out.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and is pre-approved for 29 CLE credits in Virginia and California. It is also approved for 29 HRCI general recertification credits.

 6 per day Monday – Thursday; 5 on Friday.

Instructors

Ernest Hadley, Meghan Droste, Katherine Atkinson

Daily Agenda

Monday

Basic EEOC, Nuts & Bolts: The Basics – Statutory authority and jurisdiction of EEOC, an overview of the theories of discrimination, overview of EEO process, amended and consolidated complaints; timeliness issues in the wake of the Supreme Court decisions in Morgan and Ledbetter.

Tuesday

Contractor Complaints; Intentional Discrimination and Reprisal Cases: Contractor complaints; intentional discrimination analysis and cases; selection & promotion cases; a focus on national origin and religious discrimination cases; reprisal analysis and cases.

Wednesday

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities: The Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, defining individuals with a disability, major life activities and substantial limitation; essential job functions, the interactive process, types of reasonable accommodation; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) regulations.

Thursday

Current Trends in EEO Law: a Focus on Harassment: The latest on what’s happening in EEO, hostile environment harassment, gender stereotyping, same-sex harassment sexual orientation and transgender discrimination, non-EEO harassment; settlement.

Friday

Mixed Cases; Damages & Remedies: Mixed cases; overview of Equitable Remedies: back pay, front pay, reinstatement; non-pecuniary and pecuniary damages, past and future damages, damages offsets, the duty to mitigate damages, collateral sources and pre-existing conditions, multiple causations of harm, the eggshell complainant.

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 September 3):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register September 4 – September 20):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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.

Sep
17
Tue
Developing & Defending Discipline: Holding Federal Employees Accountable – Atlanta @ TWELVE Hotel Centennial Park
Sep 17 – Sep 19 all-day

Download Registration Form

Holding federal employees accountable for performance and conduct is easier than you might think. Too many supervisors believe that an employee’s protected activity (EEO complaints, whistleblower disclosures, or union activity) precludes the supervisor from initiating a suspension or removal, but that’s just not true.

FELTG is here to make federal supervisors’ lives easier by clarifying those misconceptions while helping supervisors understand how to take defensible misconduct actions quickly and fairly – actions that withstand scrutiny on appeal by the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration. Plus, if you have a non-performing employee working for you now, we show you how you can remove that employee from your workplace in 31 days, among many other things. Join us for this three-day seminar and come away with the tools you need to hold your employees accountable.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and meets OPM’s mandatory training requirements for federal supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Dwight Lewis

Daily Agenda:

Tuesday

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I: Accountability and supervisory authority; discipline and misconduct theory and practice; penalty defense and due process; discipline procedures and appeals; psychology of performance appraisal; performance-based removal procedures.

Wednesday

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II: Completing a performance action; team workshop; handling the absent employee and dealing with attendance issues; medical removals; union considerations; mentorship in the federal government.

Thursday

Defending Against Discrimination Complaints: The Supervisor’s Role: The role of EEO in the federal government; defining protected categories: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, genetic information and reprisal; theories of discrimination; agency defenses; what to do if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint; what happens if you’re called as an EEO witness.

Pricing

    • Early Bird Tuition (register by September 3):
      • 3 days = $1380
      • 2 days = $980
      • 1 day = $540

      Standard Tuition (register September 4 – September 19):

      • 3 days = $1480
      • 2 days = $1080
      • 1 day = $640

       

Seminar registration includes a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 4th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins.

Lodging

The hotel has a limited block of rooms reserved for the event at the federal per diem rate. Please contact the hotel directly at 404-418-1212 and reference FELTG when booking.

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 will not be refunded, and will not be given credit toward another course after the cancellation date on the registration form. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.

Sep
23
Mon
Absence, Leave Abuse & Medical Issues Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Sep 23 – Sep 27 all-day

Download Registration Form

Federal employees enjoy a wide variety of leave-related benefits. However, many of us would never use the words “enjoy” and “leave” so closely together. Whether you’re an HR professional, employee relations practitioner, EEO specialist, supervisor, or agency counsel, you have undoubtedly faced a leave-related challenge. FELTG’s Absence, Leave Abuse & Medical Issues Week will give you the critical foundation you need to address the most complex areas of federal employment law.

Our expert speakers will discuss sick leave, annual leave, leave without pay, absence without leave, and FMLA. Then they will tackle the most current, relevant topics, such as medical issues and unacceptable performance, leave and reasonable accommodation, medical documentation, medical exams, and, of course, leave abuse.

You’re going to learn an awful lot about “leave” and you’re going to “enjoy” the training.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day and is pre-approved for 29 CLE credits in Virginia and California. It is also approved for 29 HRCI general recertification credits.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson

Daily Agenda:

Monday – Leave Use Overview

Types of leave and leave entitlements; proper leave administration; discretionary leave scenarios; leave stacking; understanding when you can say no to a leave request; Administrative Leave Act of 2016 changes.

Tuesday – FMLA Law & Policy

Federal sector FMLA basics, military family leave, serious health condition developments, medical certification issues, managing intermittent FMLA leave; discipline, FMLA and the under-performer; and employee notice issues.

Wednesday Handling the Leave Abuser; Medical Removals

Handling the leave abuser; documentation necessary to discipline an employee for leave abuse; steps to disciplining leave abusers; AWOL charges; leave restriction; excessive absence removals; medical inability to perform removals.

Thursday – Reasonable Accommodation: Entitlements and Processes

The ADA Amendments Act; the reasonable accommodation process; the “regarded as” provision of the ADA; telework and leave as reasonable accommodation; religious accommodation.

Friday  Medical Documentation, Medical Requests and Record Confidentiality

How the ADAAA and GINA impact the collection of medical information; pre- and post-employment medical exams and inquiries; conditional employment offers; medical documentation requests; direct threat; conflicting regulations and contra court decisions.

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 September 9):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register September 10 – September 27):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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.

Sep
26
Thu
Webinar – Suicidal Employees in the Federal Workplace: Your Actions Can Save a Life
Sep 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Course Description

In 2016, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States, killing more than 44,000 people. And 291 of those suicides took place in the workplace.

As suicide rates continue to rise, the impact is becoming more severe on the workplace. Join Shana Palmieri, LCSW for this 90-minute webinar as she discusses the behavior health disorders that lead to suicide risk, provides an overview of suicide and suicidal ideation in the United States and in the workplace, and shares real answers on what you can do and when to save an employee’s life.

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Identify the signs and symptoms of suicide that indicate the need for professional intervention
  • Effectively communicate to employees about suicide
  • Handle a suicidal crisis in the workplace

The webinar will also include time for Q & A on these topics. This is a session you truly can’t afford to miss, so register your site today.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by September 16)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made September 17 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Sep
30
Mon
Employee Relations Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Sep 30 – Oct 4 all-day

Download Registration Form

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

Barbara Haga

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 September 16):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register September 17 – October 4):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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 will not be refunded, and will not be given credit toward another course after the cancellation date on the registration form. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.

Oct
3
Thu
Webinar – Dealing with Unacceptable Performance: Fast and Effective Accountability Tools for Agencies
Oct 3 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Agencies have a problem addressing unacceptable performance. How else do you explain that nearly 75 percent of non-supervisory federal employees believe supervisors fail to take the necessary steps to address poor performance?

In this 90-minute webinar, FELTG President, attorney and author Deborah Hopkins will answer the question: How does an agency take appropriate, defensible action against poor performers?

Ms. Hopkins will explain the appropriate procedures to take when initiating an Opportunity to Demonstrate Acceptable Performance and will highlight mistakes that your agency can’t afford to make, and show you how to remove a poor performer from the federal service in just 31 days.

In addition, Ms Hopkins will discuss:

  • Critical time periods for the stages of performance-based actions
  • How to draft and deliver performance documents
  • The importance of holding employees accountable throughout the process
  • Tips for managing problem employees during the notice period
  • The necessary levels of proof an agency must maintain to defend a performance-based suspension or termination

Attend this FELTG seminar to learn the appropriate methods to safeguard your agency when removing poor performers, and guarantee that your actions will stand.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by September 23)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made September 24 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Oct
7
Mon
Legal Writing Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House (ISH) – Ella Burling Hall
Oct 7 – Oct 11 all-day

Download Registration Form

All too often, legal cases are lost not for lack of evidence, but based on some procedural issue that could have been avoided through careful drafting of legal documents. Whether it’s a motion for summary judgment, a prehearing brief, or a final agency decision, words matter.

So back by request, it’s FELTG’s new and improved Legal Writing Week, a writing-based workshop program that focuses specifically on effective legal writing in federal sector employment law cases. We’ll start you off with the fundamentals of good legal writing and then build on those basics with sessions targeted to material organization, persuasive factual narratives, writing for your audience and drafting specific documents for the MSPB and EEOC. Analysis and evaluation of writing exercises allows you to receive immediate feedback from one of the preeminent authors in the field.

Sessions are held daily from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday.

Instructor

Ernest Hadley

Daily Agenda

Monday

Legal Writing I — The Basics: Legal writing and citation formats, argumentative approaches, writing from the reader’s perspective, organizational logic, word choice and structure, legal terms and court structure. Workshops: Spin Words, Speed Ball Exercise & Spin an Issue, Putting it All Together

Tuesday

Legal Writing II — Writing for Your Audience: Defining and distinguishing claims, defenses and issues, the factual narrative, identification of material facts, and persuasion. Workshops: Defining Claims, Writing the Agency Factual Statement, Writing the Employee Factual Statement

Wednesday

Legal Writing III — Writing for Your Audience (con’t.): Educating the reader, analyzing the evidence, organizing the arguments, distinguishing cases. Workshops: State the Rule, Writing the Analysis.

Thursday

Legal Writing IV — Writing for the MSPB and EEOC: MSPB prehearing submissions, drafting final agency decisions. Workshops: Drafting a Prehearing Submission, Writing a FAD.

Friday

Legal Writing V — Writing for the MSPB and EEOC (con’t.): Motion practice and summary judgment, MSPB petitions for review and EEOC appeals, MSPB petitions for review and EEOC appeals, editing your work. Workshop: Deconstruction of a Final Decision.

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 Sept. 23):

  • 5 days = $2180
  • 4 days = $1790
  • 3 days = $1380
  • 2 days = $980
  • 1 day = $540

Standard Tuition (register Sept. 23-Oct. 11):

  • 5 days = $2280
  • 4 days = $1890
  • 3 days = $1480
  • 2 days = $1080
  • 1 day = $640

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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.

Oct
10
Thu
Webinar — Significant Cases and Developments at the EEOC
Oct 10 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

If you’re a federal EEO practitioner, attorney, or HR professional, you can’t afford to sleep on recent EEOC decisions. You also can’t afford to sit through a boring case law update that will put you to sleep.

That’s why you need to join FELTG for this fast-paced review of the most surprising, significant, and groundbreaking recent decisions from the EEOC. Attorney Meghan Droste will break down recent Commission cases involving harassment, reasonable accommodations, remedies, sanctions, and more. Find out where the EEOC is headed on these critical topics, and how these decisions impact your agency.

This 60-minute webinar will also cover recent developments at the EEOC, including the Commission’s case closure statistics. Plus, ask your questions and get answers in real time.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $225 per site (payment required by September 30)

Standard Tuition: $255 per site (for payments made October 1 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Oct
16
Wed
Webinar Series – Absence Due to Illness: Tackling Challenges with Sick Leave and FMLA
Oct 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

William Wiley, Barbara Haga

Course Description

Absence due to illness has changed the landscape in dealing with federal workplace issues.  Problems arise when employees are absent – let alone the huge amounts of leave entitlements tied to family member medical conditions.

Administering sick leave can be complicated, and proper documentation is critical.  The Family & Medical Leave Act adds an additional layer of complexity to these illness-related absences.  When can you require medical examinations? When can you take action on excessive absences?

If you need more information on absence related to illness so you are able to answer those tough questions on sick leave and FMLA – or if you want to ensure that the adverse action case you assemble will withstand the scrutiny of the MSPB – then this webinar series is custom-made for you.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, FELTG is staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the most up-to-date information they need to know.

Instructors Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, and Barbara Haga will guide you through these thorny issues. Register for any or all of the sessions.

  • Session 1 – Sick Leave, Part I (October 16)
    • Earning and accumulation
    • Authorized uses of sick leave
    • Family care sick leave – documentation and limits
    • Advance sick leave
  • Session 2 – Sick Leave, Part II  (October 30)
    • Notice requirements
    • Definition of “serious health condition”
    • Substitution of paid leave for FMLA LWOP
    • Medical certification – what is required and what needs to be in it
    • Sick leave abuse
    • Medical examinations
    • Taking action on sick leave-related absences
  • Session 3 – Understanding FMLA (November 13)
    • Basic entitlement
    • Notice requirements
    • FMLA Medical certification requirements
    • Discipline and FMLA – excessive absence, falsified information, failure to comply with notice requirements, last chance agreements

You’ll have the chance to ask your questions, and get them answered in real time, during each of these 90-minute sessions.  Register your site today.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per webinar per site (registration submitted by October 7)

Standard Tuition: $305 per webinar per site (registration submitted October 8 or later)

Register for all three webinars by October 7 and pay only $795.

Add a teleworker for $35 per webinar, in addition to a main site registration, if space permits.

 

Oct
21
Mon
FLRA Law Week – Washington, DC @ International Student House
Oct 21 – Oct 25 all-day

Download Registration Form

President Trump issued three executive orders last year that had a significant impact on federal labor relations. With orders regarding official time, negotiation timeframes, and union responsibilities to pay for things they never had to pay for before, this was the biggest change to rock the world of federal labor relations in years. Three months later, a D.C. District Court Court judge enjoined several parts of the EOs, stating they were illegal. The White House then appealed.. And then this summer, that District Court ruling was overturned by an Appeals Court. The Executive Orders are no longer enjoined.

Where do things stand today? Join FELTG for FLRA Law Week and we’ll bring you up to speed on what you can, cannot and should do under these EOs.

But that’s not all. Every labor attorney, labor relations specialist, and union representative in government needs to have both a firm foundation in the historical perspective and precedence of FLRA decisions, as well as a strategy for taking advantage of any new approaches that are coming out of an ever-evolving Federal Labor Relations Authority. This training week, updated to reflect the current state of the law, does just that — and with instructors who spent a combined 38 years working at the FLRA, there’s no other federal labor relations training that will give you this type of inside perspective. You won’t want to miss it.

The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day.

Instructors

Ann Boehm, Joe Schimansky

Daily Agenda

Monday

Basic Management and Employee Rights: An overview of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute; the current status of Executive Orders 13836 and 13837; fundamental employee, union, and management rights; bargaining unit definition; the union organizer’s role; information requests; official time.

Tuesday

Labor Relations Meetings and Bargaining: More on official time; formal discussions; union representative rights; the collective bargaining process; the three categories of bargaining: mandatory, permissive, and prohibited.

Wednesday

Unfair Labor Practices and Negotiability: What happens when the FLRA comes knocking; the anatomy of an Unfair Labor Practice;  the Federal Services Impasse Panel; negotiability appeals.

Thursday

Redress Alternatives and the Psychology of Bargaining: The interplay among grievances, appeals, MSPB, and EEOC; exceptions to arbitration awards; selecting a bargaining strategy; interest based bargaining as compared to hard ball bargaining,

Friday

Understanding Arbitration Issues: The arbitration process overview; binding the arbitrator; how federal government arbitration is different from private sector arbitration and appeals; educating the arbitrator.

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 October 7):

  • 5 days = $2170
  • 4 days = $1780
  • 3 days = $1370
  • 2 days = $970
  • 1 day = $530

Standard Tuition (register October 8 – October 25):

  • 5 days = $2270
  • 4 days = $1880
  • 3 days = $1470
  • 2 days = $1070
  • 1 day = $630

 

Metro, Parking, Directions

Metro: The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) is located in convenient proximity to the Red Line. Exit Metro at the Dupont Circle station and proceed to the Q Street/North exit. Head north (you will come off the escalator facing north; if you use the elevator take a left after exiting) on Connecticut Avenue to R Street NW (approximately one block). Turn right onto R Street NW. Cross 19th Street NW and the International Student House will be on the left side of the street approximately halfway down the block. If you reach the Bikeshare dock, you’ve gone too far. Approximate walk time: 7-10 minutes.

Parking: Street parking is metered and is limited to two hours, unless you have a Washington, DC, Zone 2 parking pass. The closest parking garage is at 11 Dupont Circle, approximately two blocks from the International Student House (1825 R Street NW). Approximate walk time: 5 -7 minutes.

From the Carlyle Hotel: After exiting the Carlyle Hotel, turn left. At the first intersection, R Street NW, turn right. Proceed approximately one block. The International Student House (1825 R Street NW) will be on your right, just past the Bikeshare dock. Approximate walk time: 4-6 minutes.

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 will not be refunded, and will not be given credit toward another course after the cancellation date on the registration form. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.

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