Calendar

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

Navigating the FMLA is one of the most complex challenges a federal agency can face and the addition of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) has further complicated matters. Let Federal leave expert Barbara Haga  break it all down for you. During this 90-minute webinar, Ms. Haga will explain entitlements, notice requirements, medical certifications and how to hold employees accountable for conduct and performance matters when FMLA leave is involved.

Attendees will work through scenarios to learn how and when to grant FMLA. And there will be several opportunities to ask questions.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Manage substitution of paid leave (including PPL) in place of unpaid FMLA leave.
• Decide what to do when medical documentation is insufficient.
• Identify covered serious health conditions.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site (payment required by January 21)
• Standard Tuition: $325 per site (payments made January 22 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site, per webinar (payment required by March 28)
• Standard Tuition: $335 per site, per webinar (payments made March 29 or later)

Register for both webinars by March 28 and pay only $570!

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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

In this second part of the Tools for Accountability series. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will cover the range of tools that are available to set job duties and functions, conduct standards, medical standards and physical requirements, and conditions of employment.  The session will include discussion of utilizing position descriptions and other agency tools to establish what conduct standards employees are expected to meet. Ms. Haga will explain how to maximize the effectiveness of the tools management can employ to deal with situations when employees fail to meet those requirements.

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site, per webinar (payment required by March 28)
• Standard Tuition: $335 per site, per webinar (payments made March 29 or later)

Register for both webinars by March 28 and pay only $570!

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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

Are you likely to outright deny a reasonable accommodation request for leave or a flexible work schedule? Do you think undue hardship is a viable reason to deny most reasonable accommodations? Do you think it’s the supervisor’s responsibility to determine if the individual is really disabled? Have you reached out to an employee’s doctor to find out more about his disability? If so, we have one word for you: Uh-oh.

Oftentimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes. But not when it comes to reasonable accommodation law. Instead, learn from the costly and embarrassing blunders that other agencies have already made. Attorney Katherine Atkinson will review recent EEO cases to share these mistakes so you know how to avoid them.

During this webinar, attendees will learn:

• What steps to take when an employee informs you of his or her disability
• How to determine if telework would be an effective accommodation
• When leave would be considered an accommodation
• Whether long-term telework during the pandemic affects an agency’s processing of telework accommodation requests
• Why undue hardship is rarely a successful defense for denying an accommodation request

Learn how to handle reasonable accommodation requests with confidence.

This program 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 April 5).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made April 6 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.

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.

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.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Description

Violence is on the upswing across the country, and mass shootings have taken place at concerts, in shopping centers, in subways — and in workplaces. This violence and other stressors, such as inflation and lingering partisan bitterness about pandemic-related issues, have many people on edge at the same time that agencies are bringing employees back to the physical workplace, after over two years of isolation for many.

Join FELTG Instructor Shana Palmieri, LCSW, as she provides critical information about managing these workplace challenges, including vital guidance on responding to possible threats to self or to others, and practical, effective techniques to de-escalate potentially dangerous situations at Federal agencies.

Attendees will leave with answers to the following questions:

• What warning signs do employees exhibit when they are considering violence?
• What steps should you take if an employee threatens suicide or violence?
• What are the agency’s options when the threat comes from someone outside the workplace such as a spouse, family member, or extremist?

Crisis management in the Federal workplace is a crucial area to understand — it truly is a matter of life and death. This session, held from 1:00-3:00 pm eastern, is too important to miss.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 (register by July 5)
• Standard Tuition: $325 (register July 6 or later)
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through July 5. Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device. You may also attend the training event as an audio training, by dialing in over the phone and following along with the materials independently.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through July 5.

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

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1

FELTG kicks off its five-part webinar series Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace with an overview of the the current state of disability law and how the ADA, ADAAA, and Rehabilitation Act apply to federal employees with disabilities. Before you can appropriately manage the complex reasonable accommodation requests you’re likely to receive in the next few months, you need a thorough understanding of the basics. Attendees will learn about:

• Making disability determinations
• What “qualified individual” actually means
• Reasonable accommodation requests
• The interactive process
• Denials of reasonable accommodation
• Reassignment and Medical Inability to Perform removals

Whether you’re an attorney, disability program manager, EEO or HR Specialist or a supervisor, you’ll want to be sure to attend this session.

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

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 in the series 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 course.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

• Early Bird Tuition (register by July 12): $355
• Standard Tuition (register July 13 or later): $395
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through July 12. 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 12. 

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

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Bob Woods

Course Description

 1

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to reasonably accommodate qualified employees who have disabilities, as long as doing so doesn’t cause an undue hardship. Reasonable accommodations should be determined by the employee and the agency, through what those of us in the business call “the interactive process.”

This 60-minute webinar, the second in FELTG’s Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace series, will tackle what agencies need to know when they work with employees on reasonable accommodation, including practical applications and best practices on topics including:

• Determining the essential functions of the job
• Accommodations of choice: who gets to select the accommodation
• Holding successful discussions with the employee

Whether you’re an attorney, disability program manager, EEO or HR Specialist or a supervisor, you’ll want to be sure to attend this session.

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

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 in the series 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.

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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1

Before the pandemic, telework was one of the the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

After the success of two years of pandemic-induced remote work, you better believe that you’ll be getting even more reasonable accommodation requests for telework as employees are directed to return to the physical workplace. Are you ready to do the appropriate interactive discussion and analysis?

Join FELTG President and Attorney at Law Deborah Hopkins for a discussion on this timely topic, during the third event in our Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series. Ms Hopkins will detail the required three-step process for agencies to be compliant when dealing with reasonable accommodation requests.

From there, she’ll discuss:

• What to do if telework would be an effective accommodation – but something else would work too
• Who gets to choose the accommodation
• What the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute
• When an agency can legally deny telework as an accommodation

Often times the best way to learn is by looking at real-life case studies, so the session will include a discussion on recent federal cases – won and lost – involving telework requests as reasonable accommodation. Because of the cost incurred when handling a reasonable accommodation complaint, your agency EEO staff, reasonable accommodation coordinators, disability coordinators, HR staff and supervisors truly cannot afford to miss this event.

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

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 in the series 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.

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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Course Description

Are you likely to outright deny a reasonable accommodation request for leave or a flexible work schedule? Do you think undue hardship is a viable reason to deny most reasonable accommodations? Do you think it’s the supervisor’s responsibility to determine if the individual is really disabled? Have you reached out to an employee’s doctor to find out more about his disability? If so, we have one word for you: Uh-oh.

Oftentimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes. But not when it comes to reasonable accommodation law. Instead, learn from the costly and embarrassing blunders that other agencies have already made. Attorney Ann Boehm will review recent EEO cases to share these mistakes so you know how to avoid them.

During this webinar, the fourth in FELTG’s Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series, attendees will learn:

• What steps to take when an employee informs you of his or her disability
• How to determine if telework would be an effective accommodation
• When leave would be considered an accommodation
• Whether long-term telework during the pandemic affects an agency’s processing of telework accommodation requests
• Why undue hardship is rarely a successful defense for denying an accommodation request

Learn how to handle reasonable accommodation requests with confidence.

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

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 in the series 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.

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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Bob Woods

Course Description

1

When the vaccine mandate, which is now on hold for many agencies, was first being enforced, vaccine-hesitant employees filed reasonable accommodation requests to be exempt from the vaccine for religious reasons. It’s probably the most religious accommodation requests agencies have received in years.

Yet, unfortunately, there is still much confusion about the law. It’s different than the law for disability accommodation, and it’s important you know the distinctions. Join FELTG for the final session in the five-part Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series.

After a review of the relevant law and regulations law that pertain to religious accommodation, FELTG Instructor Bob Woods will discuss:

• What religions qualify for accommodation
• The definition of “undue hardship” and case examples
• The most common accommodations for religion
• Issues related to dress code and grooming
• What to do when employees request to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons

Whether you’re an attorney, EEO program specialist, HR specialist or manager, you’ll want to be sure to join us for this important session.

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 in the series 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.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Description

Robust. Uninhibited. Wide-open. These are words the U.S. Supreme Court used to describe the type of debate by union officials that is considered “protected activity.” But how robust, uninhibited or wide open? And when? Those are the questions that Ann Boehm will answer during this training.

There are many tales of profanity, shouting, rough speech, and bullying taking place between union reps when performing representational duties — and not just during negotiations. Ms. Boehm will share several cases that highlight robust activity that were considered “protected activity” and provide details of a recent FLRA decision that illustrates behavior that very clearly crossed the line.

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 (payment required by January 5)
• Standard Tuition: $325 (payments made January 6 or later)
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through January 5. 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 attendees for the full event. Group discounts are available through January 5.

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.

Program Description

It’s been more than 40 years since we were all introduced to those 12 factors identified in the MSPB’s landmark Douglas decision, the most cited case in Federal employment law. But you don’t have to go back to the Reagan Administration to find examples of agencies’ misunderstanding and/or misapplying those factors.

A review of recent decisions by the new MSPB shows a lot of confusion about how to appropriately determine a penalty – and clarity from the Board about their view on Douglas.

Attorney Ann Boehm will share recent case law, highlighting how agencies correctly use the Douglas factors and also how they have been misapplied. She will answer all your Douglas questions, such as: Do the factors go in the proposal or the decision? What do OPM’s new regs say about the Douglas factors? Considering the VA Accountability Act, does the VA still have to do Douglas factors?

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the Douglas principles.
• Explain when and how to use each factor.
• Avoid the too-common Douglas mistakes that sink your case.

Date and Time

Thursday, June 1, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Registration

Download Registration Form Here

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by May 22)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made May 23 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

 1

The reasonable accommodation process starts with a request from an employee or applicant. However, that request does not need to be in writing or be formalized in any certain way. In fact, an agency cannot require that a request for reasonable accommodation even include the words “ADA,” “request,” or even “reasonable accommodation.”

Heck, the request doesn’t even have to come from the employee.

If a employee makes a reference to a need for an adjustment or change and it’s related to a medical condition, then you have a request for reasonable accommodation.

During this training, you’ll receive guidance on how to “spot” a reasonable accommodation request, discuss the importance of having a reasonable accommodation policy, and provide examples of each.

This program 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 July 10).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
• Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

 1

Agencies must accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would be an undue hardship. But what constitutes “undue hardship?” It’s a term of art that’s not so easily defined. And since it’s the only “statutory limitation on an employer’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodation,” the undue hardship claim is one that’s often misunderstood and misused.

This presentation will provide a thorough review of the various factors involved in making an undue hardship determination, as well as a review of case examples that show when the determination was made correctly and, more importantly, when it wasn’t.

This program 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 July 10).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
• Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah J. Hopkins

Course Description

 1

Congratulations, you’ve gone through the interactive process and come up with a reasonable accommodation that both you and the employee think will be effective.

But wait. It’s not over yet.

Over time, accommodations may lose their effectiveness. They may no longer be needed. Or, perhaps, a more effective accommodation has become available. One of the most important, yet often forgotten, parts of the reasonable accommodation process is the follow up, or what FELTG calls the “check-in.” It’s more important than ever for agencies to be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of revisiting existing accommodations.

And as employees start returning to the physical workplace, some after more than three years of remote work, now may be the time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ reasonable accommodations. In this class, you’ll learn how to:

• Go about ensuring you find the right accommodation.
• Build the re-evaluation of an employee’s accommodation into a regular seamless process.
• Recognize situations when an existing accommodation shouldn’t change.

This program 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 July 10).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
• Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Ricky Rowe

Course Description

 1

Before the pandemic, telework was one of the the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

After the success of pandemic-induced remote work, agencies are receiving more reasonable accommodation requests for telework, especially as employees are directed to return to the physical workplace. If someone has successfully teleworked already and is a qualified individual with a disability, must you grant the requested accommodation?

Join us for a discussion on this timely topic during the fourth event in our Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace in 2023 webinar series. This course will detail the required three-step process for agencies to be compliant when dealing with reasonable accommodation requests.

From there, we’ll cover: What to do if telework would be an effective accommodation – but something else would work too.

• Who gets to choose the accommodation?
• What the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute.
• When an agency can legally deny telework as an accommodation.

Often times the best way to learn is by looking at real-life case studies, so the session will include a discussion on recent federal cases – won and lost – involving telework requests as reasonable accommodation. Because of the cost incurred when handling a reasonable accommodation complaint, your agency EEO staff, reasonable accommodation coordinators, disability coordinators, HR staff and supervisors truly cannot afford to miss this event.

This program 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 July 10).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
• Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Bob Woods

Course Description

1

Almost everyone knows that individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodation – but did you know that federal employees are also entitled to reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices? And that the law is different? And that the Supreme Court has recently weighed in on this subject?

It’s important you know the distinctions and understand the legal ramifications. Join FELTG for the final session in our five-part Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace in 2023 webinar series.

After a review of the relevant law and regulations law that pertain to religious accommodation, FELTG Instructor Bob Woods will discuss:

• What religions qualify for accommodation.
• The definition of “undue hardship” and case examples.
• The most common accommodations for religion.
• Issues related to dress code and grooming.
• What to do when employees request to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons.

Whether you’re an attorney, EEO program specialist, HR specialist or manager, you’ll find everything you need to know about religious accommodations, including the impact of new Supreme Court decision, in this webinar.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
• Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 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.

Course Description

Remote work opportunities are no longer a wish for many employees, but an expectation. Even as agencies transition staff back to the workplace, a good deal of remote work remains. And so does the big problem: Telework isn’t for everyone.

It’s likely that you have employees who struggle whether they’re at home or in an office. Poor performance and misconduct can never be overlooked. FELTG’s flagship courses, such as UnCivil Servant, have empowered supervisors and their advisors to confidently handle the challenges that come with supervising federal employees. Using the UnCivil Servant framework, FELTG President and attorney at law Deborah Hopkins will address and provide guidance on handling employee conduct and performance issues, regardless of their work location.

Over the course of 90 minutes, Ms. Hopkins will address challenges such as remote employees, who:

• Misuse technology or violate time and attendance protocols.
• Fail to perform their critical element(s) at an acceptable level.
• Request telework as a Reasonable Accommodation.

It’s imperative to agency mission that you use the right tools to swiftly and effectively address poor performance and misconduct, regardless of where the employee is doing – or NOT doing – the actual work.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Take disciplinary action against a teleworking employee.
• Determine whether you have enough evidence that a non-performer should be put on a demonstration period during emergency telework.
• Manage a demonstration period remotely.

Date and Time

March 20, 2024, 1-2:30 pm ET

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by February 20): $325
• Standard Tuition (register February 21 or later): $365
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through February 20. 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 February 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.

Course Description

It’s one of the situations most managers would most like to avoid — an employee who doesn’t show up for work. As agencies order some employees to return to the physical workplace, the chances an employee will not show up and not provide notice has increased. Is the best way to discipline the employee to charge him with AWOL?  What if he comes up with a reasonable explanation for his absence?  Can you deny a leave request when an employee was AWOL? Part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series, this class will give you all of the tools and knowledge you need to successfully and confidently respond when employees fail to follow leave procedures.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Hold employees accountable when they don’t show up for work.
• Properly use an AWOL charge.
• Expand knowledge of leave procedures.

Date and Time

April 9, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Pricing

• Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
• Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. 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 March 8. 

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.

Course Description

It’s been over 40 years since we were all introduced to those 12 factors identified in the Merit System Protection Board’s landmark Douglas v. VA decision, the most cited case in Federal employment law. But you don’t have to go back to the Reagan Administration to find examples of agencies’ misunderstanding and/or misapplying those factors.

Just look at a any recent batch of MSPB decisions and you’ll find continued confusion about how to appropriately determine a penalty – and clarity from the Board about their view on Douglas.

Instructor and attorney Ann Boehm will share recent case law, highlighting how agencies correctly use the Douglas factors and also how they have been misapplied. She will answer all your Douglas questions, such as: Do the factors go in the proposal or the decision? What do OPM’s new regs say about the Douglas factors? What’s the best way to prevent penalty mitigation?

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the Douglas factors principles
• Explain when and how to use each factor
• Avoid the too-common Douglas mistakes that sink your case

Date and Time

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Pricing

• Early Bird Tuition (register by March 24): $145
• Standard Tuition (register March 25-April 23): $195
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 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 March 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.

Course Description

Federal supervisors have a useful tool to deal with underperforming employees – the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Yet, supervisors have consistently struggled with getting PIPs right. And then came the decision in Santos v. NASA, which requires agencies to have substantial evidence of poor performance BEFORE the implementing the PIP. Part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series, this class will detail the ins and outs of this requirement and share clear guidance and the effective, time-tested FELTG approach to handling unacceptable performance in 2024. 

Attendees will learn how to:

• Gather the information needed prior the PIP process.
• Discern the difference between substantial and other types of evidence.
• Confidently handle unacceptable performance through the use of PIPs.

Date and Time

May 7, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET

Instructor

Robert Woods

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Pricing

• Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
• Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. 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 March 8. 

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.