Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

In litigation, winning the case for the client is the ultimate goal. This virtual training session details everything you need to know for a successful hearing before the MSPB or EEOC, whether it’s held in-person or virtually. FELTG Instructor and experienced litigator Katherine Atkinson will walk you through each step from the acknowledgement order through your closing statement, to ensure that you develop a winning case. 

On the first day, Ms. Atkinson will share strategies for developing a theory of the case, and offer guidance for the process including discovery, depositions, and motions practice. The second day will focus on developing the record, plus offer tips on litigation techniques to improve your skills – and make your position stand out. Ms. Atkinson will deliver the content in practical, useful modules that provide the student with the tools needed to effectively practice employment law and represent the client when it matters most.

Join FELTG for this special event, from wherever you are working – agency office or home. The program will be presented live, and you’ll have time to ask questions and get answers in real time.

This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; Union Representatives.

Agenda

Wednesday, July 14

Developing a Theory: Strategies for developing a theory of the case; requesting and responding to written discovery requests (Interrogatories, Requests for Documents and Requests for Admissions); taking and defending depositions.

Thursday, July 15

Developing the Record: Pre-hearing submissions; opening statements; direct examination; cross examination; closing statements.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $340 per session, $650 for both sessions (register by June 28).
• Standard Tuition: $390 per session, $695 for both sessions (register June 29-July 15).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG also plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is June 28.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the ongoing behavioral and mental health crisis in this country. Almost 18 percent of all adults have a behavioral health diagnosis at some point in their lives. After a year of isolation, new work processes, heightened responsibilities, and political minefields, employees with a mental health diagnosis will soon be returning to the physical workplace.

On April 30, OPM released a memo on the importance of mental health and the well-being of Federal employees: “Awareness of mental health supports for Federal employees is an important element of protecting employee well-being and sustaining a high performing Federal workforce.”

What are you doing to prepare yourself and your agency for the influx of challenges you’ll face as all employees return, particularly those with a mental health diagnosis? If one of your employees had a mental health crisis in the workplace, would you know what to do? What if employee in crisis is working from home?

This virtual training program will provide highly practical guidance and straight-forward advice on dealing with the very unique challenges you face, as some employees continue to telework, while others make their way back to the workplace.

Licensed Clinical Social Work Shana Palmieri will de-stigmatize the truth about “mental illness” and will explain the impact various mental health conditions have on individuals, and those with whom they work. She’ll also provide strategies for effectively supervising and managing employees with these conditions, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.

Ms. Palmieri will answer challenging questions like:

• What do you do if you suspect a mental health crisis and the employee won’t answer his phone?
• How do you provide constructive criticism to someone who exhibits narcissistic behavior?
• If you suspect that one of your employees has a mental impairment, what can you do beyond directing them to EAP?
• What are the symptoms of a personality disorder?

Attendees will learn how to walk the tenuous line between providing accommodations and support for a mental health condition and holding employees accountable for their work performance. Attend this timely virtual training event and learn strategies to:

• Improve performance and success for employees with mental health conditions.
• Communicate effectively with all employees.
• Successfully accommodate employees with behavioral health conditions.
• Set appropriate boundaries and expectations in the workplace.
• Handle a crisis or outburst in the workplace.

This class focuses on the practical and clinical side of managing employees with behavioral health conditions, rather than the legal side. It will be held from 1:00 – 4:30pm ET. You won’t want to miss it.

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

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $340 (register by July 6).
• Standard Tuition: $380 (register by July 7-21).
• Rates per registrant.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through July 6.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

Welcome to the post-pandemic workplace. We’ve focused our weeklong Managing Federal Employee Accountability program and made it even more timely and useful, specific to challenges your agencies are facing in 2021. If you’re a federal supervisor, an adviser in L/ER or legal, or a union representative, you can’t afford to miss this program.

This week of half-day programs covers a range of topics including:

• Employee accountability for conduct and performance
• Managing leave abuse
• Handling EEO challenges related to COVID-19
• Complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin
• Handling Telework requests as employees return to the office

On the fifth and final day of training, attendees will apply all they’ve learned from the previous four days to handle these challenges in remote work environments.

This open enrollment FELTG Virtual Training Institute program offers opportunities to ask questions of FELTG’s experienced instructors, and get answers in real time. Registrants can attend the full week, or select which days they’d like to attend.

This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 PM ET each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 PM ET.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Ann Boehm

Daily Agenda:

Monday, July 26

Understanding Misconduct: Disciplinary Charges and Penalties:

• Legal foundations of disciplinary actions
• The five elements of discipline
• Drafting defensible charges and penalties under a new MSPB

Tuesday, July 27

Maximizing Accountability in Performance:

• The legislative and regulatory background
• Environment, system requirements, elements and standards
• Understanding the difference between conduct and performance feedback
• Writing effective performance plans, MSPB case law on performance plans
• Within-grade increases
• Performance demonstration periods, taking action on unacceptable performance

Wednesday, July 28

Handling Employee Leave Issues:

• General principles regarding leave
• Approval/disapproval of annual leave
• New provisions for Emergency Paid Sick Leave for COVID-19 in 2021
• Accrual of sick leave, eligibility to use sick leave, uses of leave for family care, notification requirements
• Sick leave documentation requirements, discretion in approving sick leave and sick leave abuse, employee eligibility to use FMLA
• Requesting FMLA leave, medical certification requirements, substitution of paid leave, Paid Parental Leave
• Other leave types – LWOP, Disabled Veteran Leave, Leave Transfer, and AWOL.

Thursday, July 29

EEO and COVID-19 in the Federal Workplace:

• Determining whether an employee with COVID-19 or pre-existing respiratory sensitivities should receive a reasonable accommodation
• Taking action against pandemic-related harassment and discrimination
• Discrimination based on race, color, or national origin

Friday, July 30

The 2021 Telework Challenge:

• Holding teleworkers and other remote workers accountable for performance and conduct
• Special telework performance and conduct challenges
• OPM’s telework flexibilities; telework as reasonable accommodation
• Agency options when employees refuse to report to the physical workplace

Price

Most people attend the full training week, but you may opt out of any days you don’t plan to attend.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is July 9.
• Can I earn CLE credits or EEO refresher training for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG goes not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended. Attendees may also request a certificate for EEO refresher hours upon completion of this program.

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.

Download Individual 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.

Instructors

Ann Boehm, Shana Palmieri

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; how to successfully interview witnesses with behavioral or mental health issues or violent tendencies; de-escalating an emotionally-charged interview; handling delicate interviews; interviewing witnesses who have experienced trauma.

Thursday

Conducting the Investigation, Part II: Conducting the interview: handling hostile 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.

Seminar registration includes a printed copy of the materials via USPS. In order to receive materials by the training date, please register by July 16 and provide a shipping address. Registrations received after July 16 will also receive printed materials, but materials are not guaranteed to arrive by the training date.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

The one-size-fits-all approach to managing others is ineffective, and that becomes particularly apparent when the majority of your staff is teleworking.  Drawing upon the latest research and best practices in behavioral science, communication, team effectiveness, and generational studies, while making special consideration of the increased use of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, FELTG Instructor Dr. Anthony Marchese will share his insight and practical strategies to ensure you are managing for success.

For many of you, employees are starting to return to the workplace, which will create some new management challenges. Rarely has the quality of your communication been more important.

Sessions will be held from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, with a break from 2:00-2:30 pm.

Instructor

Anthony Marchese, PhD

Who Should Attend

Federal supervisors and managers; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Wednesday, August 18 – Managing Effectively

12:30-4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00-2:30)

Course description: Dr. Marchese will explain the difference between managing and leading, and help you to identify your strength and hone your supervisory skills. Using realistic agency scenarios, participants will learn how to understand and leverage individual differences to develop a meaningful management methodology that is targeted to the needs of their employees and those of the agency.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify strategies for managing difficult employees.
• Successfully manage a mobile workforce.
• Employ a specific set of skills to resolve workplace conflicts – including virtual conflicts.

Thursday, August 19 – Communicating Effectively

12:30-4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00-2:30)

Course description: What is stopping you and your team from developing innovative solutions to your most challenging problems? Oftentimes, the problem lies in a unit’s lack of communication. In Day 2 of this interactive virtual training, Dr. Marchese will share several strategies for improving communication with your staff – and it starts with you providing ongoing feedback on employee performance.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• (And how often to) communicate performance expectations.
• Recognize the differences between positive and negative framing.
• Hold difficult conversations with employees.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $345 per session, $630 for both sessions (register by August 2).
• Standard Tuition: $395 per session, $685 for both sessions (register August 3-19).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.

• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through August 2.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

As Federal EEO practitioners know, FAD is short for Final Agency Decision. But the word “Final” is often misleading. A FAD is appealable, by the complainant, to the EEOC. And many employees will take advantage of that opportunity to appeal the agency’s decision.

EEOC decisions are littered with reversals of agency’s FADs finding no discrimination. An employee has that right to appeal and you cannot interfere with that. However, you can ensure that your FADs are written in a way that withstands scrutiny by the EEOC, and it starts with knowing and understanding discrimination law, as applied to the Federal workplace.

Over two half-days, Attorney Katherine Atkinson will present you with everything you need to know to write an effective FAD, including identifying and avoiding the pitfalls that often lead to the EEOC reversals.

This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

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

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Agenda

Monday, August 23

Applying Theories of Discrimination: EEO Law Overview; Intentional Discrimination; Disparate Impact; Hostile Work Environment; Reasonable Accommodation; Retaliation; overlapping forms of discrimination.

Tuesday, August 24

Writing the Report: Timeliness Issues; Effective Legal Writing: structure and language; FAD Legal Sufficiency; deconstruction exercise.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $370 per session, $700 for both sessions (register by August 6).
• Standard Tuition: $400 per session, $750 for both sessions (register August 7-24).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG will use Zoom for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is August 6.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.

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.

Download Registration Form

There is one action you can take that, when done effectively, could have a major impact on your team’s morale and productivity. This action is something that you should be doing on a regular basis, yet it’s often overlooked amid your busy schedule. What’s this transformative action? It’s giving your employees honest, and ongoing, feedback.

During this half-day interactive virtual training experience, FELTG Instructor Anthony Marchese, Ph.D., will equip participants with the necessary tools to nurture a culture of candor that will lead to healthy and actionable feedback. You’ll learn best practices for motivating and recognizing employees, and neuroscience-based strategies for maximizing performance even when leading employees in a virtual environment. Dr. Marchese will also expose feedback myths and share the ineffective practices that you need to avoid.

Don’t let anxiety, frustration, or confusion prevent you from having honest performance-related discussions with your employees. Providing feedback effectively is a skill that can — and should — be developed. Fix performance problems before they begin. Make your agency a more efficient place to work.

This interactive session will include breakout groups, giving participants a chance to interact with each other.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Communicate performance expectations.
• Supervise effectively in a virtual environment.
• Differentiate between positive and negative framing.
• Identify behavioral styles, including your own, to provide feedback that is better understood and more useful.

Also, you will have numerous  opportunities to ask questions about the unique problems you’re facing during these unprecedented times. This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Anthony Marchese

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by August 17): $340
• Standard Tuition (register August 18-31): $380
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through August 31. Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom for this Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device. You may also attend the training event as an audio training, by dialing in over the phone and following along with the materials independently.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through August 17.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

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 2021 to include the latest on the intersection of EEO COVID-19, harassment, the virtual workplace, and more.

The program runs 9:00 – 4:00 each day.

6 per day.

Instructors

Katherine Atkinson, Ann Boehm, Robert Woods

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

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.

Wednesday

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.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

We’re back!  Once again, FELTG’s experienced and widely respected instructors come together for the Federal Workplace 2021: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends virtual training event. In this event we focus on making sure you’re prepared to effectively manage the Federal employment challenges that are new, complicated, and critical to your and your agency’s success. Let FELTG lead you into the new fiscal year the right way.

The last year was, to continue the overuse of the word, unprecedented. A pandemic. Remote work. Political chaos. Targeted harassment. A new administration. During the course of this weeklong training, FELTG instructors will share the best practices and lessons learned over the previous fiscal year, and provide the guidance and expertise you’ll need to thrive in the upcoming year.

We know you have plenty of training options – both onsite and virtual – to choose from this time of year. This program has several advantages. Although not a conference, it provides an opportunity for conference-like training for those who can’t get travel approval, or for those not quite ready to squish into packed rooms. And unlike other virtual events where you have to register for the full agenda, this training event allows attendees to register for only the sessions they prefer to attend. In addition, FELTG is an SBA-certified Woman Owned Small Business, allowing your agency to help achieve its small business set aside fiscal targets. And if all that wasn’t enough, Federal Workplace 2021: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends is completely live, and attendees have the opportunities to ask questions and engage in polls and other activities. Beware of “virtual” conferences that aren’t live.

No matter your job title, this event has something for you. Attendees will receive clear strategies and straight-forward guidance on holding employees accountable on emerging performance and conduct issues, deftly handling the most complex challenges, and identifying and handling those pesky issues that are new — or will be soon enough.

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; Federal supervisors and managers; emerging leaders; security officers; union representatives.

Download Individual Registration Form

Monday, September 27, 2021

Pre-session

1 – 4:30 pm EDT

EEO Challenges, COVID-19, and a Return to Workplace Normalcy

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 3 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and/or 3 CLE credits)

President Biden’s Executive Order requires all Federal employees to be vaccinated with no option for regular coronavirus testing to opt out of the mandate. What does this mean for employees who refuse to get vaccinated? Are there any religious exemptions that would allow employees to continue to work without vaccination? What about employees who cannot get vaccinated due to a disability – can agencies accommodate them?

• If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
• How would you handle an employee’s claim that he’s being harassed because he is at high risk for COVID-19, or has recovered from the virus?
• Does asking the pre-vaccination screening questions create a violation of Title II of the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act?

Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the unique problems you’re facing during these unprecedented times.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to determine:

• Whether an employee with COVID-19 or pre-existing respiratory sensitivities should receive a reasonable accommodation.
• How pregnant women fit into the framework of EEO and COVID-19.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Spotlight on Accountability

Session 1

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

You Want Accountability? Avoid These Too-Common Mistakes

Presented by Deborah J. Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Almost 60 percent of Federal employees think their supervisors do not do enough to hold unacceptable performers accountable. Meanwhile, myths about the inability to discipline employees for misconduct continue to fester. There is one action you can take to boost your agency’s FEVS scores, increase morale, and improve productivity, and it’s this: Do a better job holding employees accountable for performance and conduct. The best way to start is by eliminating the most common mistakes that derail your efforts. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will identify these habitual errors, such as using too many suspensions, delaying discipline in favor of unhelpful  letters of caution, committing due process violations, and more.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Avoid due process mistakes in appealable actions.
• Properly document an employee’s poor performance before a PIP.
• Draft effective charges that hold up to third-party scrutiny.

Session 2

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Got Nexus? Accountability for Off-duty Conduct

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

The borderline between on-duty and off-duty has become blurred as of late, with a majority of employees working from home and the omnipresence of social media. Yet, one thing has remained clear and constant: If you’re going to discipline someone for what they do on their own time, you need to show a nexus between the employee’s actions and their Federal job. FELTG Instructor Robert Woods will help you untangle your most challenging off-duty misconduct scenarios and illustrate the situations where the conduct is so egregious as to create a rebuttable presumption of nexus.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Demonstrate nexus between the off-duty conduct and the efficiency of the service.
• Understand how Douglas Factor Eight: Notoriety and Agency Reputation can create nexus.
• Select an effective and defensible penalty for off-duty conduct.

Session 3

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

Medical Certification Requirements for Sick Leave and FMLA

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Challenging situations involving sick leave and FMLA are, unfortunately, neither rare nor easy to solve. For example: An employee brings in a medical statement in support of her FMLA request. The statement only says that the employee is “unable to work.” Here’s another one: An employee refuses to bring medical documentation to support three weeks of absence to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Or what about the employee who claims, for the first time during an MSPB appeal, that she was not AWOL and should have been entitled to sick leave. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will provide the solutions to these scenarios, explain how MSPB decisions inform discussions about requirements for medical certification, share OPM’s requirements for revoking retroactive FMLA, and more.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize the different medical certification requirements for sick leave and for FMLA.
• Implement clear policies on deadlines for submitting medical certification.
• Explain the requirement for granting provisional leave under the FMLA.

Session 4

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Tools for Accountability: Position Descriptions, Performance Standards, and Medical Requirements

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

There is a lot of confusion about where the authority comes from to hold employees accountable for many things related to their positions, whether it’s medical requirements to hold licenses and certifications, work rules for proper use of credit cards and completing mandatory training, or successful performance of the key functions of their jobs. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will explain how to maximize the effectiveness of the various tools management can employ to establish requirements and then deal with situations when employees fail to meet those requirements.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Ensure effective use of well-crafted position descriptions.
• Implement conduct standards that cover the full gamut of expectations that employees must meet.
• Develop effective and workable performance plans to accurately capture how well employees perform.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Spotlight on Challenges

Session 5

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Re-boarding: Strategies to Support a Successful Return to the Office

Presented by Anthony Marchese, PhD, Author/Coach/Consultant, FELTG Instructor

Most Federal employees are still working remotely, though many of them may soon make a return to the physical workplace. The remote work experience of the last 18 months has provided us with many lessons learned, research findings, and best practices to help supervisors seize the opportunity to nurture a workforce that is stronger and more resilient than ever before. During this session, FELTG Instructor Anthony Marchese, PhD, will share practical strategies for supervisors and advisers to help your employees return to the office smarter, stronger, and more satisfied with work.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Reset expectations and accountability in the post-pandemic workplace.
• Improve communication and collaboration among hybrid teams.
• Create a culture of candor and connection.

Session 6

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Resolving Conflicts Before They Lead to Litigation

Presented by Marcus Hill, Principal/Hill Management Consultancy (HMC) LLC, FELTG Instructor

As a Federal supervisor, it’s not a matter of if you will ever experience conflict within the workplace, but when. While workforce diversity is without a doubt an organizational strength, it can also make resolving conflict more difficult due to varying perspectives, orientations, and backgrounds. Conflict that is properly managed can be very beneficial to organizational performance and mission effectiveness. Marcus L. Hill, a recently retired Federal senior executive, will discuss common causes that create workplace conflicts, as well as strategies and practices supervisors can employ to resolve conflict before it leads to workplace chaos, organizational ineffectiveness, and costly litigation.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the common types of conflicts that exists within organizations.
• Identify conflict management styles, strategies and tools, and when to apply them.
• Create an organizational culture that builds staff trust through inclusivity, promotes workplace harmony, and inspires innovative problem-solving to resolve conflict.

Session 7

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

Identifying and Eliminating Microaggressions in the Workplace

Presented by Deborah J. Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

FELTG Instructor Deborah J. Hopkins, attorney at law, will explain what microaggressions look like in their various forms — including microinsults, microassaults, and microinvalidations. If those words are all new to you, you’re not alone – but it’s time to get up to speed. Ms. Droste will share an implicit bias test, explain its impact, and provide examples where bias can lead to EEO and non-EEO discrimination and harassment.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Determine when bias or microaggression leads to the level of discrimination.
• Identify acts of microaggression and acts influenced by implicit bias.
• Respond appropriately and effectively when you see a microaggression in the workplace.

Session 8

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

The Reasonable Accommodation Mistakes Agencies Make

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Oftentimes, the best way to learn is by making mistakes. But not when it comes to reasonable accommodation law. Instead, learn from the blunders that other agencies have already made to prepare your agency to do things the right way. Bob Woods will share those mistakes, covering everything from the interactive process to telework to undue hardship, to raise awareness of how to avoid them.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Determine when to offer an accommodation different from the one requested.
• Recognize when leave would be considered an appropriate accommodation.
• Identify the agency defenses that have been successful when denying a reasonable accommodation request.

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Spotlight on Trends

Session 9

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

The Changing Nature of Hostile Work Environment Claims

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Unfortunately, the Federal workplace is not immune to reprehensible harassing behavior. As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that hostile work environment incidents would wane, yet the targets of hostile work environment merely expanded and changed. More harassment was aimed at Asian American and Pacific Islanders and LGBTQ employees, and harassment took more virtual forms including email and social media. Katherine Atkinson will discuss in clear terms the law on hostile work environment claims, amid the changing nature of the harassing behavior.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Determine when an agency could be held liable for hostile work environment.
• Raise awareness to prevent harassment from taking place.
• Take prompt and effective corrective action when harassment is alleged.

Session 10

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

High Times and Misdemeanors: Weed and the Workplace

Presented by Deborah J. Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Recreational marijuana is legal in almost a dozen states and the District of Columbia, and its use for medical purposes is now legal in 30-plus states. What does that mean for Federal workers in those locations? Could their careers still go up in smoke for a “legal” activity? Are you required to accommodate an employee’s medically certified marijuana usage? What should you do if the Federal employee is married to someone who legally grows marijuana? Should you overlook an employee’s suspected marijuana usage because it makes him more pleasant to work with? FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will review the laws that apply to Federal employees and share the most effective approach to managing and/or disciplining employees when their drug usage seeps into the workplace.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Craft the right charge when disciplining an employee for marijuana usage.
• Determine when it’s appropriate to require an employee to take a drug test.
• Handle an employee who has lied about previous marijuana usage.

Session 11

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

Preparing for the Surge in Accommodation Requests for Telework

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

By most accounts, the great telework experiment worked. And as employees are directed to return to the physical workplace, it’s widely expected that requests for telework as a reasonable accommodation for disability (and, perhaps, for religious reasons) will increase significantly. Are you prepared for these requests? Do you have a proper procedure in place? What do you need to know about the interactive process? Ann Boehm discusses it all.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn:

• How to determine whether telework would be an effective accommodation.
• When an agency can legally deny telework as an accommodation.
• What the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute.

Session 12

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Case Law Update, Part I: MSPB, EEOC, and Fed Circuit

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

In Federal employment law, things can change quickly. FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm will review the most recent and relevant cases, regulations, studies and reports from OPM, the EEOC, the courts, OSC, and (hopefully) the MSPB. Attendees will leave with knowledge of recent developments and with an in-depth analysis of the current employment law climate and its impact on the Federal workplace.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn:

• How a few recent Federal Circuit decisions have caused a major change at the MSPB in the absence of a quorum.
• The most updated guidance on Whistleblower protections.
• Recent trends in EEOC case law.

Friday, October 1, 2021

Spotlight on Labor Relations

Session 13

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Case Law Update, Part II: FLRA and FSIP

Presented by Joseph Schimansky, Former Executive Director/FSIP, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Over the past year-and-a-half, the Federal Labor Relations Authority has released several precedent-altering decisions. The Federal Service Impasses Panel has also issued several noteworthy decisions, but a new panel is on its way. Join FELTG Instructor Joseph Schimansky, the former Executive Director of the Federal Service Impasses Panel, as he reviews the cases and explains what it all means for Federal counsel, HR professionals, Labor Relations practitioners, and union representatives.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn:

• Which Trump FLRA decisions are most likely to be reversed by the Biden FLRA.
• How the Biden FSIP will operate differently from the practices adopted by the Trump FSIP.
• The latest updates on the appointment of new FLRA and FSIP Members by the Biden Administration.

Session 14

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Permissive Bargaining

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Permissive bargaining isn’t really permissive now, thanks to Executive Order 14003.  Agencies must bargain over the 5 U.S.C. 7106(b)(1) topics.  But what are the topics that fall under 5 U.S.C. 7106(b)(1)? This course will help you understand the complicated world of negotiability, and it will also help agencies realize that bargaining over these topics isn’t the end of the world.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn:

• Determine best practices in dealing with negotiability determinations in light of EO 14003.
• Develop effective negotiation strategies.
• Implement communication strategies to ensure mission is not adversely impacted by labor negotiations.

Session 15

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

Requests for Information

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

Just about any federal labor relations professional has dealt with a union request for information, but they may not have handled it correctly.  This class will help anyone dealing with a union’s request for information ensure that the agency provides information that it owes the union, but also ensure that the unions are establishing a particularized need.  Engaging in the proper interactive process will help agencies avoid unfair labor practice complaints while providing only information that is legally required.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the rights and obligations of both agencies and unions regarding information requests.
• Apply the “particularized need” standard.
• Reply when the union fails to meet the “particularized need” standard.

Pricing

• Early bird pricing for individual sessions start at $150. Daily and full event All Access discounts available.
• Early Bird discounts available until September 3.
• See registration form for full pricing details.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • This program is submitted for CLE credits to, and we anticipate approval by, the State Bar of Virginia. Individual CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for All Access registration options only. Group discounts are available through September 3.

Download Registration Form

Event Description

Investigating harassment in your Federal agency can be an intimidating assignment, one that is rife with innuendo, conflicting accounts, and raw emotions. Ensuring that your investigation is legally compliant and protects employees, while helping the agency minimize liability, is a taxing task. It’s even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic when most investigations must be done virtually.

Together, these three instructor-led live training sessions will provide a solid basis for a successful and effective approach to conducting legally-sufficient harassment investigations that stand up upon third-party review. Peruse MSPB and EEOC cases and you’ll find that poorly conducted investigations are far more common than they should be, and the cost of these investigations to agencies are bigger than you’d expect.

Understand the differences between EEO and non-EEO harassment. Learn the best techniques to conduct an investigation – whether onsite or virtually. Write a report that covers all the crucial information. And much more.

This open enrollment FELTG Virtual Training Institute program Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations offers opportunities to ask questions of FELTG’s experienced instructors, and get answers in real time. Plus, this program fulfills the requirements for 8-hour annual EEO investigator refresher training.

You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for all three. This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern. Participants will receive program materials via email on Monday, October 5.

Download Registration Form

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles

12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00 – 2:30)

Presented by Deborah J. Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

Course Description: An effective harassment investigation begins with a solid foundation of misconduct law in the federal workplace. Attorney and FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will explain the principles that underpin a successful investigation of federal employee misconduct, whether it’s on-duty or off-duty. Attendees will learn the five elements of discipline and understand how they relate to the misconduct investigation process. Plus, they’ll learn about evidence standards and burdens of proof in misconduct cases, how Douglas factors play in to an investigation, the importance of nexus, what to do when a witness won’t cooperate, and much more.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the relationship between the foundations of federal accountability and misconduct investigations.
• Identify and collect relevant penalty evidence during the investigation.
• Recognize the mistakes that derail effective misconduct and harassment investigations.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation

12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00 – 2:30)

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course description: What is the scope of the investigation? Who should you interview? What documents are you going to need? Preparing your investigative plan is a critical step in developing a legally sufficient investigation. Attorney Katherine Atkinson will explain the proper role of the investigator and how you can avoid the pitfalls of an insufficient investigation with the proper preparation and knowledge. Plus, she’ll answer important questions about representation: Does the witness have the right to a representative? Does the union have a right to attend the interview – even if the witness doesn’t want the union there? What rights does agency management have in the process?

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discern the difference between EEO and non-EEO harassment, and the impact that has on the investigations’ legal sufficiency.
• Identify witness rights and management rights.
• Recognize the three basic characteristics of evidence in a harassment investigation.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

12:30 pm – 4:00 pm EDT (break from 2:00 – 2:30)

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course description: Attorney Katherine Atkinson will share legal principles and proven guidance to navigate this most critical and challenging part of harassment investigations: conducting the interviews and gathering relevant evidence. Attendees will leave the session with techniques for questioning, tools for reading body language, suggestions on how to handle difficult personality types, and tips for writing the fact-finding report (FFR) and report of investigation (ROI). Ms. Atkinson will also share how technology is changing the investigation process, including a very timely discussion of conducting virtual interviews.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the similarities and differences in conducting onsite and virtual interviews.
• Apply logic and judgment to evaluate conflicting statements.
• Write a fulsome report on the findings from the harassment investigation.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by Sept 20): One Session = $340  |  Two Sessions = $650  |  Full Event = $900
• Standard Tuition (register Sept 21 – Oct 7): One Session = $390  |  Two Sessions = $695  |  Full Event = $950
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through Sept 20. Contact FELTG.
• REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more attendees for the full event. Group discounts are only available through September 20.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

The federal hiring process requires patience. Take the time to do it correctly. Those who hurry the hiring process are not only likely to make a mistake in hiring, but they may also end up without sufficient documentation to combat a discrimination complaint, making the allegation difficult to defend against.

With a flurry of Executive Orders early in his term, President Biden made it clear that diversity and inclusion are priorities in the federal workplace.  His most recent Executive Order 14035 on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce  charges agencies with identifying “strategies to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and eliminate, where applicable, barriers to equity, in Federal workforce functions, including: recruitment; hiring … and onboarding programs.”

FELTG instructor and attorney at law Katherine Atkinson will explain how to ensure your hiring practices are nondiscriminatory and align with merit system principles and the Administrations’ priorities. Ms. Atkinson will cover the types of interview questions that cause problems, and will discuss selection panel roles and responsibilities, including ensuring the selecting officials implement best practices to develop and maintain evidence demonstrating the non-selection was neither discriminatory nor retaliatory.

Join FELTG for this special event, from wherever you are working — agency office or home. The program will be presented live, and you’ll have time to ask questions and get answers in real time. This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

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

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $340 (register by October 12)
• Standard Tuition: $380 (register October 13 or later)
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through October 12. Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device. You may also attend the training event as an audio training, by dialing in over the phone and following along with the materials independently.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through October 12.

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.

Download Individual 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 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 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 November 1):

• 5 days = $2375
• 4 days = $1995
• 3 days = $1575
• 2 days = $1100
• 1 day = $575

Standard Tuition (register November 2-19):

• 5 days = $2475
• 4 days = $2095
• 3 days = $1675
• 2 days = $1200
• 1 day = $675