Calendar

FELTG Executive Director Deborah Hopkins instructing a class
Sep
27
Mon
Virtual Training Event – Federal Workplace 2021: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends
Sep 27 – Oct 1 all-day

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?

Attorney Katherine Atkinson will not only share with you the latest guidance from the president’s EO, the EEOC and the CDC, but she will also explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the aforementioned and other puzzling EEO questions you may suddenly face. Because Ms. Atkinson will use a legal analysis to address these challenges, the answers and guidance you receive during this virtual training will be useful long after the coronavirus is gone.

Beyond the vaccination mandate, Ms. Atkinson will also help you answer the following questions and more

  • 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

 

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.

 

Virtual Training Event – EEO Challenges, COVID-19, and a Return to Workplace Normalcy
Sep 27 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Download Individual Registration Form

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?

Attorney Katherine Atkinson will not only share with you the latest guidance from the president’s EO, the EEOC and the CDC, but she will also explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the aforementioned and other puzzling EEO questions you may suddenly face. Because Ms. Atkinson will use a legal analysis to address these challenges, the answers and guidance you receive during this virtual training will be useful long after the coronavirus is gone.

Beyond the vaccination mandate, Ms. Atkinson will also help you answer the following questions and more

  • 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.

This program runs from 1:00 – 4:30 eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:30 – 3:00 eastern.

3

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

Download Individual Registration Form

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by September 3): $355
  • Standard Tuition (register September 4 or later): $395
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through September 17. Contact FELTG.

 

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.
    • 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?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through September 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.

Oct
5
Tue
Virtual Training Event – Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations
Oct 5 – Oct 7 all-day

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.

Oct
12
Tue
Handling Pandemic-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation
Oct 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

Agencies face many challenges and unanswered questions as they attempt to bring workers back the physical workspace, especially as they pertain to reasonable accommodation requests and medical information. In this 60-minute webinar, the first in our three-part  Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace series, Attorney at Law and FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson provide guidance for those challenges and answer those questions, such as:

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’ or post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVD-19 test?
  • Where do you store the Certifications of Vaccination?
  • Must you accommodate employees who refuse to get the vaccine?
  • If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
  • Do agencies have to provide a reasonable accommodation of permanent telework for an employee who refuses to get the vaccine for religious reasons?

Join us for the other two webinars in this three-part series:

 

This webinar and this series meet the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace 
Oct 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

When you think about it, the federal workforce’s response to the pandemic was nothing short of remarkable. A majority of employees began working remotely for the first time in their careers. And by most accounts, it was a success.

So you’d think the eventual return back to the physical workspace would be a breeze.

Think again.

Even before the delta variant began ravaging the country, there was uncertainty on how to best return to the workplace.  Now the variant has put us back almost to square one for a safe and easy return. This makes the Biden Administration’s recent Executive Order mandating all Federal employees and onsite contractors be vaccinated even more prescient.

Between the variant, the vaccination requirement, and the sheer challenge of creating a new hybrid work environment, there is more uncertainty than ever before. FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

October 12: Handling Pandemic-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’ or post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test?
  • Where do you store the Certifications of Vaccination?
  • Must you accommodate employees who refuse to get the vaccine?
  • If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
  • Do agencies have to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee who refuses to get the vaccine for religious reasons?

October 19: Vexing Vaccine Requirements: Responding to Requests for Exemptions 

  • Does asking the pre-vaccination screening questions create a violation of Title II of the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act?
  • Can you require employees to provide proof of vaccination, rather than simply “attest” to vaccination status?
  • What do you do if an employee refuses to share his or her vaccination status?
  • How will you determine whether an employee’s religion or medical condition requests vaccination exemptions?

October 26: Post-Pandemic Accountability: Handling Employee Performance and Misconduct in a COVID-19 World

  • How do you hold remote workers accountable for performance and conduct?
  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test a performance or conduct issue?
  • How do you provide a performance demonstration period for an employee who is teleworking?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to get vaccinated?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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
19
Tue
Vexing Vaccine Requirements: Responding to Requests for Exemptions 
Oct 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

Agencies face many challenges and unanswered questions as they attempt to bring workers back the physical workspace, especially as they pertain to vaccine requirements and attestations. In this 60-minute webinar, the second of our three-webinar Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace series, Attorney at Law and FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson provide guidance for those challenges and answer those questions, such as:

  • Does asking the pre-vaccination screening questions create a violation of Title II of the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act?
  • Can you require employees to provide proof of vaccination, rather than simply “attest” to vaccination status?
  • What do you do if an employee refuses to share his or her vaccination status?
  • How will you determine whether an employee’s religion or medical condition requests vaccination exemptions?
  • How do you discipline an employee for lying on the certification of vaccination form?

Join us on October 26, for the final webinar in this series: Post-Pandemic Accountability: Handling Employee Performance and Misconduct in a COVID-19 World.

 

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars in the Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace series by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace 
Oct 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

When you think about it, the federal workforce’s response to the pandemic was nothing short of remarkable. A majority of employees began working remotely for the first time in their careers. And by most accounts, it was a success.

So you’d think the eventual return back to the physical workspace would be a breeze.

Think again.

Even before the delta variant began ravaging the country, there was uncertainty on how to best return to the workplace.  Now the variant has put us back almost to square one for a safe and easy return. This makes the Biden Administration’s recent Executive Order mandating all Federal employees and onsite contractors be vaccinated even more prescient.

Between the variant, the vaccination requirement, and the sheer challenge of creating a new hybrid work environment, there is more uncertainty than ever before. FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

October 12: Handling Pandemic-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’ or post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test?
  • Where do you store the Certifications of Vaccination?
  • Must you accommodate employees who refuse to get the vaccine?
  • If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
  • Do agencies have to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee who refuses to get the vaccine for religious reasons?

October 19: Vexing Vaccine Requirements: Responding to Requests for Exemptions 

  • Does asking the pre-vaccination screening questions create a violation of Title II of the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act?
  • Can you require employees to provide proof of vaccination, rather than simply “attest” to vaccination status?
  • What do you do if an employee refuses to share his or her vaccination status?
  • How will you determine whether an employee’s religion or medical condition requests vaccination exemptions?

October 26: Post-Pandemic Accountability: Handling Employee Performance and Misconduct in a COVID-19 World

  • How do you hold remote workers accountable for performance and conduct?
  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test a performance or conduct issue?
  • How do you provide a performance demonstration period for an employee who is teleworking?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to get vaccinated?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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
26
Tue
Post-Pandemic Accountability: Handling Employee Performance and Misconduct in a COVID-19 World
Oct 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Agencies face many challenges and unanswered questions about performance and conduct as they attempt to bring workers back the physical workspace, while maintaining some type of hybrid work environment. In this final webinar of our three-part  Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace series, Attorney at Law and FELTG President Deborah Hopkins provide guidance for those challenges and answer those questions, such as:

  • How do you hold remote workers accountable for performance and conduct?
  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test a performance or conduct issue?
  • How do you provide a performance demonstration period for an employee who is teleworking?
  • What discipline is appropriate for an employee who refuses to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

 

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars in the  Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace series by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Federal Workplace 
Oct 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

When you think about it, the federal workforce’s response to the pandemic was nothing short of remarkable. A majority of employees began working remotely for the first time in their careers. And by most accounts, it was a success.

So you’d think the eventual return back to the physical workspace would be a breeze.

Think again.

Even before the delta variant began ravaging the country, there was uncertainty on how to best return to the workplace.  Now the variant has put us back almost to square one for a safe and easy return. This makes the Biden Administration’s recent Executive Order mandating all Federal employees and onsite contractors be vaccinated even more prescient.

Between the variant, the vaccination requirement, and the sheer challenge of creating a new hybrid work environment, there is more uncertainty than ever before. FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

October 12: Handling Pandemic-Related Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’ or post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test?
  • Where do you store the Certifications of Vaccination?
  • Must you accommodate employees who refuse to get the vaccine?
  • If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
  • Do agencies have to provide a reasonable accommodation for an employee who refuses to get the vaccine for religious reasons?

October 19: Vexing Vaccine Requirements: Responding to Requests for Exemptions 

  • Does asking the pre-vaccination screening questions create a violation of Title II of the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act?
  • Can you require employees to provide proof of vaccination, rather than simply “attest” to vaccination status?
  • What do you do if an employee refuses to share his or her vaccination status?
  • How will you determine whether an employee’s religion or medical condition requests vaccination exemptions?

October 26: Post-Pandemic Accountability: Handling Employee Performance and Misconduct in a COVID-19 World

  • How do you hold remote workers accountable for performance and conduct?
  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test a performance or conduct issue?
  • How do you provide a performance demonstration period for an employee who is teleworking?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to get vaccinated?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by October 1).
  • Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made October 2 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by October 1 and pay only $785.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Nov
3
Wed
Virtual Training Event – The Exemption Proves the Rule: Reasonable Accommodation, Discipline, and the Vaccine Mandate
Nov 3 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Download Individual Registration Form

About the Event

Federal employees have until November 22 to get vaccinated to comply with Executive Order 14043. The Biden Administration’s mandate is direct. However, a sizable percentage of the population still refuses to get the vaccination, and misinformation continues to spread. You should expect to have more than the usual share of requests for exemptions on either religious or medical grounds. How will you handle these requests? And how do you plan to discipline an employee who refused to get vaccinated?

Attorneys Katherine Atkinson and Deborah Hopkins (FELTG President), have the answers. They have stayed on top of the ever-changing guidance and mandates over the past year, providing FELTG customers with up-to-the-minute instruction on navigating the challenging issues related to COVID-19. Join them on November 3 for The Exemption Proves the Rule: Reasonable Accommodation, Discipline, and the Vaccine Mandate and you’ll leave with the basic framework for dealing with these unique and unprecedented challenges with a focus on:

  • Reasonable accommodation for disability
  • Reasonable accommodation for religion
  • Discipline for vaccine-related misconduct

Ms. Hopkins and Ms. Atkinson will walk you through the legal analysis for addressing challenges in these areas, and answer all your questions, including:

  • What medical conditions that qualify as disabilities under the ADA could exempt an employee from the vaccination mandate?
  • What is the definition of religion under Title VII?
  • When can you question the sincerity of an employee’s espoused religious belief?
  • How do you discipline an employee for using falsified vaccine cards?

Join FELTG for this critical and timely training, 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 1 pm – 4:30 pm eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:30 – 3:00 eastern.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins and Katherine Dave

Deborah J. Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by October 20): $355
  • Standard Tuition (register October 21 or later): $395
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through October 20. Contact FELTG.

 

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.
  • 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?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through October 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.

Nov
17
Wed
Are You Ready for the Last-minute Requests for Vaccination Exemptions?
Nov 17 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

That Nov. 22 date is inching closer. And as the date gets closer, your backlog of requests for exemptions to the Biden Administration’s vaccination requirement is likely to continue to grow.

Reasonable accommodation can be challenging during normal times. But there remain many unanswered questions about employees seeking vaccination exemptions for or disability or religious reasons. In this 90-minute webinar, Attorney at Law and FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson provides guidance for those challenges and answers questions, such as:

  • What medical conditions that qualify as disabilities under the ADA could exempt an employee from the vaccination mandate?
  • When can you question the sincerity of an employee’s espoused religious belief?
  • What if the employee seeking a religious accommodation has a letter from his church?
  • How does the undue hardship analysis relate to allowing unvaccinated employees to work from home full-time?

Get the answers to these questions – and your questions – BEFORE you become too overwhelmed with exemption requests.

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site (payment made by November 8).
  • Standard Tuition: $325 per site (payment made November 9 or later).

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Dec
9
Thu
Virtual Training Event – Managing Employee Mental Health Challenges During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dec 9 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

If one of your agency’s employees had a mental health crisis in the workplace, would you know what to do? And considering most employees are still working remotely, how would you even know?

Almost 18 percent of all adults have a mental illness diagnosis at some point in their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the ongoing mental health crisis in this country. Earlier this year, 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.”

This virtual training program will provide highly practical guidance and straight-forward advice on dealing with the very unique challenges you face at this time. 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 they work with. She’ll also provide strategies for effectively supervising and managing employees with these conditions, even as they work remotely.Ms. Palmieri will answer challenging questions, such as:

  • 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. This event will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 pm 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: $295 (register by November 22).
  • Standard Tuition: $325 (register by November 23-December 9).
  • Rates per registrant.

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 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 November 22.

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

Jan
19
Wed
Webinar — Stop the Spread of COVID-related Retaliation in the Federal Workplace
Jan 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

EEO law protects employees from reprisal based on EEO activity, and retaliation is asserted in almost 45 percent of EEO complaints.

Think about that as you process the numerous religious and reasonable accommodation requests for exceptions to the vaccine mandate coming across your desk. Those requests are a protected EEO activity. The EEOC is concerned enough about retaliation in pandemic-related situations that it recently published guidance on the topic.

In this 75-minute webinar, FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson will walk you through the details of the EEOC guidance, discuss the various forms of EEO reprisal and why it’s the most common category in discrimination findings, and provide important guidance on what can be done to limit retaliation from happening at your agency.

This is an important  area of focus in federal employee statutory protections, especially as it involves highly-charged emotional and political issues. Whether you’re an attorney, LER specialist, EEO specialist, or supervisor, you can’t afford to miss this event.

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site (payment made by January 4).
  • Standard Tuition: $325 per site (payment made January 5 or later).

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Feb
8
Tue
Virtual Training Event – Managing COVID-related EEO Challenges in the Federal Workplace
Feb 8 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Download Individual Registration Form

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?

Attorney Katherine Atkinson will not only share with you the latest guidance from the president’s EO, the EEOC and the CDC, but she will also explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the aforementioned and other puzzling EEO questions you may suddenly face. Because Ms. Atkinson will use a legal analysis to address these challenges, the answers and guidance you receive during this virtual training will be useful long after the coronavirus is gone.

Beyond the vaccination mandate, Ms. Atkinson will also help you answer the following questions and more:

  • Is an employee with asymptomatic COVID-19 an individual with a disability under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act?
  • Do more employees have potential retaliation claims now, even though the vaccine mandate is enjoined?
  • What should your agency do with pending vaccine exemption requests?

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 unvaccinated employee creates an undue hardship to an agency’s operations in the religious accommodation context
  • How the undue hardship determination is different for an employee who requested accommodation due to a disability
  • How to spot pandemic-related retaliation that constitutes a legal violation

This program runs from 1:00 – 4:30 eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:30 – 3:00 eastern.

 

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by January 24): $355
  • Standard Tuition (register January 25 or later): $395
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through January 24. Contact FELTG.

 

Event FAQs

  • Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
    • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
  • Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
    • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
  • Can I share my access link with co-workers?
    • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
  • Can I register a teleworker?
    • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
  • How do I receive a group rate discount?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through January 24. 

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.

Mar
8
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
Mar 8 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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.

Apr
12
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
Apr 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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.

Apr
26
Tue
Virtual Training Event – Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law
Apr 26 – Apr 29 all-day

Download Individual Registration Form

Event Description

A politicized multi-year pandemic, a change in Administration, and nationwide trends, such as the Great Resignation, have set the Federal workplace reeling with seemingly new and daunting employment-related challenges, along with several that won’t go away. FELTG’s four-day training event Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law returns for a third straight year, poised to provide you with the strategies and challenges to meet these unique times.

Three years ago, who would have thought that:

  • Federal agencies would be devising detailed plans to create hybrid workplaces?
  • The FLRA, under a Democratic Administration, would continue to issue decisions rankling unions?
  • The MSPB would go without a quorum for nearly 1,900 days?
  • Diversity and inclusion efforts would go from persona non grata to major priority with the stroke of a pen?
  • A Federal Circuit would suddenly end 40 years of MSPB precedent on PIPs, only to have OPM release conflicting guidance months later?
  • EEO discrimination issues would continue to flourish despite a majority of employees working from home?

The FELTG Virtual Training Institute’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law program offers 11 unique and timely sessions to help you navigating these unsettling times. Hold remote and on-site employees equally accountable for performance and conduct. Stay up to date on changing legal issues involving performance improvement, leave, labor relations and more. Identify and prepare your agency for new EEO trends. Learn effective strategies for managing in a hybrid workplace and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

We’ve developed these sessions to fit into your busy workdays. The training sessions are 75 minutes long, and you can register for all or for any of them individually. Or you can register for a whole day. Or all four days. Earn CLE credits and EEO refresher training credits.

The training is presented LIVE by FELTG’s experienced and respected instructors, who will answer your questions, so you get answers in real time.

Download Individual Registration Form

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



Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The New Hybrid Workplace

 

Session 1
10:30 – 11:45 am ET

 

Holding Employees Accountable Regardless of Their Work Location
Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

Course description: Agencies face many challenges and unanswered questions about performance and conduct as they attempt to bring some workers back to the physical workspace. How do you hold workers accountable for performance and conduct when some are in the office and others are remote? How do you provide a performance demonstration period for an employee who is teleworking? As always, FELTG has the answers when it comes to accountability. Attendees will leave with a simple and effective approach to accountability, regardless of where the employee is working. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.


Session 2
1:00 – 2:15 pm ET

 

What to Do When Harassment Occurs Outside the Building
Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

Course Description: Hostile environment harassment can be alleged based not only on sex, but any protected category, such as race, national origin, religion, disability, and more. With the pandemic-fueled increase in telework and virtual meetings, and continued vitriol on social media, hostile environment harassment does not require that people be in the same location. Attendees will learn how to identify hostile work environment scenarios, discuss agency and supervisory liability, and develop successful prevention techniques. Earn 1.25 CLE credits. 1.25


Session 3
3:00 – 4:15 pm ET 

 

The New World of Work: Understanding Expectations, Aspirations, and Opportunities
Presented by Anthony Marchese, PhD., Consultant/Author/Trainer, FELTG Instructor

 

Course Description: The Pandemic of 2020-2022 thrust leaders into an unusual, unsettling territory where many are unequipped to rapidly respond to the systematic shift in employee expectations. Employees want increased autonomy and a voice in the decision-making process. With increased scrutiny of the employee value proposition (EVP), employees are eagerly anticipating how things will look in the next 6-12 months. Attendees will learn about embedded and emerging trends happening across the Federal landscape and leave with relevant best practices to navigate this landscape as a supervisor.


Wednesday, April 27, 2022

The Ever-Changing Law

 

Session 4
10:30 – 11:45 am ET

 

Santos, OPM and Performance Accountability: What Gives?
Presented by Robert Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

Course Description: Last year, the Federal Circuit in Santos v. NASA undid more than 40 years of case precedent, requiring agencies to have substantial evidence of poor performance before they can place an employee on a PIP. Yet, OPM’s proposed regulations, while not yet final, seem to indicate that employees must first be notified and given an opportunity to improve. Don’t let these seemingly contradictory approaches keep you from taking appropriate action. Attendees will leave this session with clear guidance and an effective approach for placing an employee on notice about unacceptable performance and explaining to the employee what’s required next. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.


 

Session 5
1:00 – 2:15 pm ET

 

What’s New in Leave 2022?
Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor

 

Course description: Leave is an ever-changing topic and 2022 is no exception.  The passage of the NDAA for FY 2022 created a new type of leave: Parental Bereavement Leave will allow for two weeks of paid time off in the event of death of a son or daughter.  The devil, of course, is in the details.  Which employees are covered?  How is son or daughter defined?  As if that wasn’t enough, the NDAA for FY 2021 made a change to the type of service that is qualifying to become FMLA eligible, and the regulations implementing the Paid Parental Leave Act issued in 2020 made some changes to the basic FMLA entitlement.  The session will cover these changes, as well as leave in COVID-related situations. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.


Session 6
3:00 – 4:15 pm ET

 

Federal Employment Law Update: Significant Cases and Developments
Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

 

Course description: The MSPB is back and delivering decisions, the FLRA and EEOC continue to issue important decisions, the Federal Circuit has been hopping, and OPM regularly updates its guidance. A District Court in Texas recently put a hold on major Federal workplace mandates, and a Federal Appeals court has recently struck down FLRA policy decisions. It’s a lot to keep up with. That’s why you need to join FELTG for this fast-paced review of the most surprising, significant, and groundbreaking developments in Federal employment law. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.

 


Thursday, April 28, 2022

Post-COVID EEO Challenges

 

Session 7
10:30 – 11:45 am ET

 

The Widening Net of Reprisal Discrimination
Presented by Deborah Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

 

Course description: Reprisal is asserted in almost half of all EEO complaints, and it’s the most common discrimination finding in Federal sector cases. With increasing political and societal rifts creating workplace conflicts, ongoing questions about employee vaccination and exemption status, and the soon-to-be imminent return of many Federal employees to the physical workplace, EEO challenges such as reprisal are expected to grow even more. Attendees will learn the various forms of EEO reprisal and receive important guidance on how to limit it from happening at your agency. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.   1.25


Session 8
1:00 – 2:15 pm ET

 

Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation When Employees Return to the Workplace
Presented by Ricky Rowe, Former National EEO Manager/Veterans Administration

 

Course description: By most accounts, telework was an enormous success for Federal agencies over the past two years. As you start the process of returning most employees back to the physical workplace, it’s likely that you’re going to receive a sudden increase in requests for telework, likely within the framework of reasonable accommodation. OPM guidance last summer anticipated as much. Attend this session to best prepare yourself for this onslaught of requests and give you and your staff a proper guide on how to determine whether telework is an effective reasonable accommodation, and what alternative accommodations might be available as well. 1.25

 


Session 9
3:00 – 4:15 pm ET

 

When Medical Issues Cause Performance and Misconduct Problems
Presented by Deborah Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

 

Course description: Few situations draw as much angst among supervisors as when they have an employee with a physical or mental impairment who is struggling to do the job and/or failing to meet conduct standards. With the rise in mental health diagnoses, substance abuse disorders and the physical challenges that come with an aging workforce, Federal supervisors can expect more of these gut-wrenching situations. If the employee already has a reasonable accommodation, can you put him on a PIP or must you offer a new reasonable accommodation first? Should disability be a mitigating factor in discipline? How do you process removals for medical inability to perform? Attendees will learn the answers to these questions and much more.Earn 1.25 CLE credits. 1.25

 


Friday April 29, 2022

Labor Relations Spotlight

 

Session 10
10:30 – 11:45 am ET

 

Representation Decisions Under FLRA
Presented by Joseph Schimansky, Former Executive Director/FSIP, FELTG Instructor

 

Course description: The FLRA, by a 2-1 margin, recently rejected requests to throw out its 2020 decision that stripped immigration judges of their collective bargaining rights. This rejection came just a month after the Biden Administration reversed a Trump-era policy and officially recognized the union. In this session, Mr. Schimansky will examine Representation decisions under the current FLRA and what they mean for agencies and unions in the short and long term. Earn 1.25 CLE credits.


Session 11
1:00 – 2:15 pm ET

 

What I Learned as a Chief Management Negotiator
Marcus Hill, Principal/Hill Management Consultancy, FELTG Instructor

 

Course description: Have you been appointed chief management negotiator charged with representing the agency during collective bargaining with the union? Were you a little apprehensive or challenged how to start and ultimate accomplish this critical assignment? Whether you are a seasoned labor relations professional or a manager possessing little to no collective bargaining experience, this session is for you. During his distinguished Federal career, Mr. Hill served as Chief Management Negotiator on several occasions, achieving effective collective bargaining agreements for industrial and professional environments. Mr. Hill will share experiences, and successful strategies that will result in win-win, labor-management agreements.

 


Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by April 11):
    • One Session = $150
    • One Day (Three Sessions) = $395
    • Labor Relations Day = $275
    • April 26-28 All Access  = $1175
    • April 26-29 All Access with Labor Relations = $1450
  • Standard Tuition (register April 12-29)
    • One Session = $175
    • One Day (Three Sessions) = $495
    • Labor Relations Day = $325
    • April 26-28 All Access = $1475
    • April 26-29 All Access with Labor Relations = $1795
  • Rates per registrant and may not be used for groups under any circumstances. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

  • Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
    • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
  • How do I claim CLE or EEO refresher credits?
    • This program has been submitted (and we anticipate this program will be approved) for Virginia CLE credits. Members of other state bars must submit for CLE credit on their own, and may use the materials provided by FELTG in submissions. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended, and will designate how many EEO refresher hours were earned.
  • Can I get HRCI credits for attending this class?
    • Each session is approved for 1.25 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.
  • Can I share my access link with co-workers?
    • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
  • Can I register a teleworker?
    • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
  • How do I receive a group rate discount?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through April 11.

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

 

May
3
Tue
Virtual Training Event – Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations
May 3 – May 5 all-day

Download Individual 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.

Download Individual Registration Form



Tuesday, May 3

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, May 4

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, May 5

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern (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 April 18): One Session = $340  |  Two Sessions = $650  |  Full Event = $900
  • Standard Tuition (register April 19-May 5): 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 April 18. Contact FELTG.
  • REGISTER NOW.

 

Event FAQs

  • Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
    • FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
  • Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
    • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
  • Can I share my access link with co-workers?
    • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
  • Can I register a teleworker?
    • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
  • How do I receive a group rate discount?
    • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more attendees for the full event. Group discounts are available through April 18.

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

May
4
Wed
Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace
May 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Course Description

After two-plus years of pandemic upheaval, agencies are finally bringing most employees back to the physical workplace, at least some of the time. After previous attempts were upended by COVID variants, agencies now have tangible plans on who is coming back, and when. And with those plans come brand-new challenges for your agency.

  • Uncertainty about the future of the vaccination requirement.
  • Medical considerations as new variants continue to circulate.
  • Strongly held feelings and belief about COVID-related matters.
  • Employees, now used to the flexibilities of remote work, who don’t want to return to the physical workplace.
  • And the uncertainty about the new hybrid workplace that many agencies are creating.

FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

May 4: New EEO Challenges: Preventing Post-COVID Reprisal and Harassment 

Rather than bringing people together to fight a common cause, the pandemic widened the deep politicization in this country, which, unfortunately, has filtered into workplaces. Federal agencies should be prepared to identify and handle expected increases in COVID-related reprisal and harassment. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • What’s the difference between COVID-related harassment and reprisal?
  • How can you prevent adverse treatment of individuals who requested an exemption to the vaccine requirement?
  • Is harassing someone who doesn’t believe in COVID an EEO issue?
  • What parameters can employers set about COVID- and vaccine-related conversations in the workplace?

May 11: Managing Post-pandemic Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

Before a Federal district judge in Texas issued an injunction on the vaccine requirement for many (but not all) Federal employees, many of you were dealing with multiple requests for exemptions. And with the injunction set to be lifted May 31, those requests – plus any new ones that are filed – will once again require processing. And even more new accommodation challenges await you, along with potential minefields that if not avoided could lead to ADA/Rehabilitation Action violations. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test or vaccine documentation?
  • If an employee successfully performed remotely, must you grant his accommodation request for permanent telework?
  • Should you review all of the reasonable accommodations offered before employees return to the workplace?
  • What should agencies be doing with all those requests for vaccine exemptions?

May 18: Managing Return-to-the-Workplace Conduct Challenges

Many Federal employees are eager to return to the physical workplace. However, it’s important to remember that there are just as many employees, if not more, who are comfortable in their current remote work situation, and do not look forward to a return. There are likely numerous other employees who continue to carry a chip on their shoulder about how the pandemic was handled. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will address how to handle some of the conduct challenges you’re likely to face. She’ll provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test or mask requirement a performance or conduct issue?
  • Where do things stand with the vaccine requirement?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to return to the workplace?
  • If an employee is AWOL, what options does your agency have?
  • Can you discipline someone for publicly sharing their personal opinions about COVID restrictions?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $290 per site, per session (payment made by April 25).
  • Standard Tuition: $320 per site, per session (payment made April 26 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by April 25 and pay only $830.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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

May
10
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
May 10 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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

May
11
Wed
Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace
May 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Course Description

After two-plus years of pandemic upheaval, agencies are finally bringing most employees back to the physical workplace, at least some of the time. After previous attempts were upended by COVID variants, agencies now have tangible plans on who is coming back, and when. And with those plans come brand-new challenges for your agency.

  • Uncertainty about the future of the vaccination requirement.
  • Medical considerations as new variants continue to circulate.
  • Strongly held feelings and belief about COVID-related matters.
  • Employees, now used to the flexibilities of remote work, who don’t want to return to the physical workplace.
  • And the uncertainty about the new hybrid workplace that many agencies are creating.

FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

May 4: New EEO Challenges: Preventing Post-COVID Reprisal and Harassment 

Rather than bringing people together to fight a common cause, the pandemic widened the deep politicization in this country, which, unfortunately, has filtered into workplaces. Federal agencies should be prepared to identify and handle expected increases in COVID-related reprisal and harassment. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • What’s the difference between COVID-related harassment and reprisal?
  • How can you prevent adverse treatment of individuals who requested an exemption to the vaccine requirement?
  • Is harassing someone who doesn’t believe in COVID an EEO issue?
  • What parameters can employers set about COVID- and vaccine-related conversations in the workplace?

May 11: Managing Post-pandemic Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

Before a Federal district judge in Texas issued an injunction on the vaccine requirement for many (but not all) Federal employees, many of you were dealing with multiple requests for exemptions. And with the injunction set to be lifted May 31, those requests – plus any new ones that are filed – will once again require processing. And even more new accommodation challenges await you, along with potential minefields that if not avoided could lead to ADA/Rehabilitation Action violations. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test or vaccine documentation?
  • If an employee successfully performed remotely, must you grant his accommodation request for permanent telework?
  • Should you review all of the reasonable accommodations offered before employees return to the workplace?
  • What should agencies be doing with all those requests for vaccine exemptions?

May 18: Managing Return-to-the-Workplace Conduct Challenges

Many Federal employees are eager to return to the physical workplace. However, it’s important to remember that there are just as many employees, if not more, who are comfortable in their current remote work situation, and do not look forward to a return. There are likely numerous other employees who continue to carry a chip on their shoulder about how the pandemic was handled. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will address how to handle some of the conduct challenges you’re likely to face. She’ll provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test or mask requirement a performance or conduct issue?
  • Where do things stand with the vaccine requirement?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to return to the workplace?
  • If an employee is AWOL, what options does your agency have?
  • Can you discipline someone for publicly sharing their personal opinions about COVID restrictions?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $290 per site, per session (payment made by April 25).
  • Standard Tuition: $320 per site, per session (payment made April 26 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by April 25 and pay only $830.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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

May
18
Wed
Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace
May 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Course Description

After two-plus years of pandemic upheaval, agencies are finally bringing most employees back to the physical workplace, at least some of the time. After previous attempts were upended by COVID variants, agencies now have tangible plans on who is coming back, and when. And with those plans come brand-new challenges for your agency.

  • Uncertainty about the future of the vaccination requirement.
  • Medical considerations as new variants continue to circulate.
  • Strongly held feelings and belief about COVID-related matters.
  • Employees, now used to the flexibilities of remote work, who don’t want to return to the physical workplace.
  • And the uncertainty about the new hybrid workplace that many agencies are creating.

FELTG’s “The Return to the Workplace” webinar series offers to provide clear-cut answers, along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique and unprecedented challenges.

May 4: New EEO Challenges: Preventing Post-COVID Reprisal and Harassment 

Rather than bringing people together to fight a common cause, the pandemic widened the deep politicization in this country, which, unfortunately, has filtered into workplaces. Federal agencies should be prepared to identify and handle expected increases in COVID-related reprisal and harassment. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • What’s the difference between COVID-related harassment and reprisal?
  • How can you prevent adverse treatment of individuals who requested an exemption to the vaccine requirement?
  • Is harassing someone who doesn’t believe in COVID an EEO issue?
  • What parameters can employers set about COVID- and vaccine-related conversations in the workplace?

May 11: Managing Post-pandemic Reasonable Accommodation Requests and Medical Documentation

Before a Federal district judge in Texas issued an injunction on the vaccine requirement for many (but not all) Federal employees, many of you were dealing with multiple requests for exemptions. And with the injunction set to be lifted May 31, those requests – plus any new ones that are filed – will once again require processing. And even more new accommodation challenges await you, along with potential minefields that if not avoided could lead to ADA/Rehabilitation Action violations. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm will provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • How do you accommodate someone with ‘long COVID’?
  • What do you do with the results of an employee’s COVID-19 test or vaccine documentation?
  • If an employee successfully performed remotely, must you grant his accommodation request for permanent telework?
  • Should you review all of the reasonable accommodations offered before employees return to the workplace?
  • What should agencies be doing with all those requests for vaccine exemptions?

May 18: Managing Return-to-the-Workplace Conduct Challenges

Many Federal employees are eager to return to the physical workplace. However, it’s important to remember that there are just as many employees, if not more, who are comfortable in their current remote work situation, and do not look forward to a return. There are likely numerous other employees who continue to carry a chip on their shoulder about how the pandemic was handled. In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will address how to handle some of the conduct challenges you’re likely to face. She’ll provide answers to numerous questions, including:

  • Is failure to comply with a COVID-19 screening test or mask requirement a performance or conduct issue?
  • Where do things stand with the vaccine requirement?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to return to the workplace?
  • If an employee is AWOL, what options does your agency have?
  • Can you discipline someone for publicly sharing their personal opinions about COVID restrictions?

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $290 per site, per session (payment made by April 25).
  • Standard Tuition: $320 per site, per session (payment made April 26 or later).
  • Register for all three webinars by April 25 and pay only $830.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per webinar per teleworker, on a space-available basis.

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.

Jun
14
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
Jun 14 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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.

Jun
28
Tue
Virtual Training Event – Managing Ongoing COVID-related EEO Challenges in the Federal Workplace
Jun 28 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Download Individual Registration Form

President Biden’s Executive Order requiring all Federal employees to be vaccinated with no option for regular coronavirus testing to opt out of the mandate, will likely be back in effect within days. 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?

Attorney Katherine Atkinson will not only share with you the latest guidance from the president’s EO, the EEOC and the CDC, but she will also explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the aforementioned and other puzzling EEO questions you may suddenly face. Because Ms. Atkinson will use a legal analysis to address these challenges, the answers and guidance you receive during this virtual training will be useful long after the coronavirus is gone.

Beyond the vaccination mandate, Ms. Atkinson will also help you answer the following questions and more:

  • How should agencies prioritize all the exemption requests that were on hold during the several months the EO was enjoined?
  • Is COVID-related harassment and reprisal illegal under the EEO statutes?
  • What documentation should agencies maintain to defend agains the complaints that will inevitably be filed?

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 unvaccinated employee creates an undue hardship to an agency’s operations in the religious accommodation context
  • How the undue hardship determination is different for an employee who requested accommodation due to a disability
  • How to spot pandemic-related retaliation that constitutes a legal violation

This program runs from 1:00 – 4:30 eastern, with a 30-minute break midway.

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

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by June 13): $355
  • Standard Tuition (register June 14-28 or later): $395
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 13. Contact FELTG.

 

Event FAQs

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

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

Jul
12
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
Jul 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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
27
Wed
Virtual Training Event – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace: Harassment, Reasonable Accommodation and Misconduct
Jul 27 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Deborah Hopkins Portrait

Download Individual Registration Form

Whether you’re ready for it or not, many employees are returning to the physical workplace in large numbers. Several agencies have already started the process, and others have hybrid work plans in place. Based on the early results, it’s not been an easy transition for most. And it sure as heck isn’t going to get easier anytime soon.

Rather than bringing people together to fight a common cause, the pandemic widened the deep politicization in this country, which, unfortunately, has filtered into workplaces. That conflict remains as employees return — a good number of them reluctantly. And the conflicts won’t automatically disappear, even if some employees work remains remote or evolves into hybrid.

Are you prepared to identify and handle expected increases in COVID-related reprisal and harassment? What about the expected in increase in reasonable accommodation requests? Or the potential for harassment and other misconduct?

This is the only Federal workplace-specific virtual training event that will address all of these employment law-related challenges, provide clear-cut guidance along with the appropriate framework for you to address these unique challenges. And FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will help you answer these perplexing questions:

  • Is harassing someone who doesn’t believe in COVID an EEO issue?
  • What parameters can employers set about COVID- and vaccine-related conversations in the workplace?
  • How do you accommodate an individual with long-haul COVID?
  • If an employee successfully performed remotely, must you grant his accommodation request for permanent telework?
  • Should you review all of the reasonable accommodations offered before employees return to the workplace?
  • What actions can you take against employees who refuse to return to the workplace after being ordered to report?
  • Can you discipline someone for publicly sharing their personal opinions about COVID restrictions?

Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the unique problems you’re facing. The training will take place from 1 – 4 pm ET.

Learning objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Address any lingering vaccination exemption requests and handle testing appropriately.
  • Recognize pandemic-related retaliation that constitutes a legal violation.
  • Determine whether telework is an appropriate reasonable accommodation.
  • Appropriately address conduct issues related to COVID and/or the return to the physical workplace.

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition (register by July 13): $355
  • Standard Tuition (July 14 or later): $395
  • Rates per registrant.
  • Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through July 13. Contact FELTG.

 

Event FAQs

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

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

Jul
28
Thu
Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Jul 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm, Bob Woods

Course Description

One of the most consistently challenging and complex areas in federal employment law is the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation, whether it’s to qualified individuals with disabilities, or for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs.

And that was the case before the pandemic.

Now understanding the intricacies of these important laws is trickier and more challenging than ever.

For the past several years, FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation series has re-familiarized Federal supervisors, HR professionals, disability program managers, and EEO leaders with the critical foundations of disability law, as well as how to apply that foundation to the ever-changing Federal Workplace.

The series is back again for 2022 — updated and refreshed. Attendees will leave with the proper framework for providing accommodations for people who are entitled, while avoiding the pitfalls that lead to unwanted conclusions. Attendees will also learn how properly conduct an interactive process and legally deny telework as reasonable accommodation. The series wraps with a look at how the law differs for religious accommodation. Attend one session, or attend them all.

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

Click on any event for a full description.

 5 (1 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation Framework: Disability Accommodation Overview and Analysis (July 21)

Session 2: The Importance of the Interactive Process (July 28)

Session 3: Telework as Reasonable Accommodation (August 4)

Session 4: Reasonable Accommodation: The Mistakes Agencies Make (August 11)

Session 5: Religious Accommodations: How They’re Different from Disability Accommodation (August 18)

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $250 per site, per session (payment made by July 11).
  • Standard Tuition: $280 per site, per session (payment made July 12 or later).
  • Register for all five webinars by July 11 and pay only $1195!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.

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
4
Thu
Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Aug 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm, Bob Woods

Course Description

One of the most consistently challenging and complex areas in federal employment law is the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation, whether it’s to qualified individuals with disabilities, or for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs.

And that was the case before the pandemic.

Now understanding the intricacies of these important laws is trickier and more challenging than ever.

For the past several years, FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation series has re-familiarized Federal supervisors, HR professionals, disability program managers, and EEO leaders with the critical foundations of disability law, as well as how to apply that foundation to the ever-changing Federal Workplace.

The series is back again for 2022 — updated and refreshed. Attendees will leave with the proper framework for providing accommodations for people who are entitled, while avoiding the pitfalls that lead to unwanted conclusions. Attendees will also learn how properly conduct an interactive process and legally deny telework as reasonable accommodation. The series wraps with a look at how the law differs for religious accommodation. Attend one session, or attend them all.

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

Click on any event for a full description.

 5 (1 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation Framework: Disability Accommodation Overview and Analysis (July 21)

Session 2: The Importance of the Interactive Process (July 28)

Session 3: Telework as Reasonable Accommodation (August 4)

Session 4: Reasonable Accommodation: The Mistakes Agencies Make (August 11)

Session 5: Religious Accommodations: How They’re Different from Disability Accommodation (August 18)

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $250 per site, per session (payment made by July 11).
  • Standard Tuition: $280 per site, per session (payment made July 12 or later).
  • Register for all five webinars by July 11 and pay only $1195!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.

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
9
Tue
Webinar Series – The Federal Supervisor’s Workshop: Building the Best Toolkit for Managing Today’s Workforce
Aug 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Marcus Hill, Barbara Haga, Katherine Atkinson, Bob Woods, Joseph Schimansky

Course Description

Federal supervisors and advisers: Your time is valuable as ever, yet your challenges are changing — and growing.

FELTG’s annual supervisory training event returns in 2022 with a new look and focus. We’re still offering comprehensive training that expands upon legal principles to provide you with the necessary tools and best practices to manage the agency workplace effectively and efficiently. But this time, we take a laser focus on sessions that specifically address the unique challenges faced by supervisors in agencies across the country, and around the world.

These monthly 60-minute webinars provide you with the legal foundation for managing distinct situations regarding performance and conduct accountability, reasonable accommodation, sick leave, harassment, and labor relations (for those of you who supervise bargaining unit employees). But the guidance provided will help you build the necessary framework to tackle other equally specific and challenging situations.

These sessions are held live and provide an opportunity to ask questions — and get answers — from FELTG’s experienced instructors.

2022 dates:

March 8: Understanding Performance vs. Misconduct: Is it a performance issue or a conduct issue? Knowing how to answer this question will allow you to take the appropriate action. This webinar will teach the distinction between performance and conduct; provide an overview on holding employees accountable; discuss the “can’t vs. won’t” conundrum; and set the stage for defensible discipline and performance actions.

April 12: Insubordinate Employee? Don’t Mess With the Wrong Elements: Ever have an employee who refused to follow your orders? What if the employee failed to follow the order, but you’re not sure if it was intentional? The first step to dealing with the issue is to understand the word “insubordinate” and its legal implications. Learn the factors that will help you determine the most effective way to take action against employees who disobey lawful orders.

May 10: The Roller Coaster Employee: Managing Up-and-Down Performance: You’ve undoubtedly seen it several times, and it’s always frustrating. An employee is put on a performance demonstration period (DP, PIP, ODAP – or whatever your agency calls it) and does well enough to stay in his position. But when the DP ends, his performance dips again. You don’t have to feel helpless. Learn the most effective way to manage wide swings in performance.

June 14: Reasonable Accommodation: The Interactive Process: An important step after an employee requests a reasonable accommodation for a disability and provides supporting medical documentation is to engage in the “interactive process” with the employee. This training will explain what that process entails, how supervisors should work with disability program managers and reasonable accommodation coordinators, and answer key questions, such as: How do you define undue hardship? How do you determine essential functions? Do I have to give an employee telework as an accommodation? And much more.

July 12: Effectively Handling Sick Leave Use and Abuse: Managing the uncertainty and increased workload when employees call in sick is a perennial challenge for Federal supervisors. Even more complicated is administering sick leave, considering the multiple uses and numerous family members covered. Learn the six authorized uses of sick leave, who is a family member for sick leave purposes, the potential signs of sick leave abuse and how to counsel the employee; and the actions you can take for sick leave abuse, providing false medical information, or excessive absences.

August 9: The New Hostile Work Environment:  As the pandemic raged and employees remained home, many thought that reprehensible harassing 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. Learn what hostile work environment entails, what you can do to prevent it, and how to take prompt and effective action when harassment is alleged.

August 23: Do I Need to Invite the Union to this Meeting? You know that there are certain types of meetings that require you to invite the union. But meetings happen every day, so does that mean the union has a right to be at every one? Which ones need to include the union? Learn what makes a meeting a formal discussion, the union’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to meeting, and what the union rep can and cannot do during the formal discussion.

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition:

  • $270 per site, per session (payment required by February 28).
  • Special series discounts available through February 28: $1,525 for the first 6 webinars or $1,795 for all 7. See registration form for details.

Standard Tuition: 

  • $295 per site, per session (payments made March 1 or later).

Working from home? Teleworkers may be added to a primary site registration for $50 each, per session, on a space-available basis.

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
11
Thu
Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Aug 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm, Bob Woods

Course Description

One of the most consistently challenging and complex areas in federal employment law is the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation, whether it’s to qualified individuals with disabilities, or for individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs.

And that was the case before the pandemic.

Now understanding the intricacies of these important laws is trickier and more challenging than ever.

For the past several years, FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation series has re-familiarized Federal supervisors, HR professionals, disability program managers, and EEO leaders with the critical foundations of disability law, as well as how to apply that foundation to the ever-changing Federal Workplace.

The series is back again for 2022 — updated and refreshed. Attendees will leave with the proper framework for providing accommodations for people who are entitled, while avoiding the pitfalls that lead to unwanted conclusions. Attendees will also learn how properly conduct an interactive process and legally deny telework as reasonable accommodation. The series wraps with a look at how the law differs for religious accommodation. Attend one session, or attend them all.

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

Click on any event for a full description.

 5 (1 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation Framework: Disability Accommodation Overview and Analysis (July 21)

Session 2: The Importance of the Interactive Process (July 28)

Session 3: Telework as Reasonable Accommodation (August 4)

Session 4: Reasonable Accommodation: The Mistakes Agencies Make (August 11)

Session 5: Religious Accommodations: How They’re Different from Disability Accommodation (August 18)

Price

  • Early Bird Tuition: $250 per site, per session (payment made by July 11).
  • Standard Tuition: $280 per site, per session (payment made July 12 or later).
  • Register for all five webinars by July 11 and pay only $1195!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $50 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.

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

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