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Course Description

On his first day in office, President Joseph R. Biden made it clear that Federal employees are a priority: He took action to advance racial equity throughout the federal government and strengthen workplace discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. A focus of this Administration early on has been to celebrate the diversity of the Federal workforce and to make it an inclusive place for all employees.

Now, it’s up to you.  Executive Orders 13985 and 13988 denote a sense of urgency, and include agency requirements with timelines to perform necessary compliance actions, some as soon as 60 days – and the clock started ticking on January 20.

In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President and attorney at law Deborah Hopkins will give a thorough explanation of the two first-day executive orders that call upon agencies to review current policies and procedures, and develop plans to “address unequal barriers to opportunity in agency policies and programs.” This webinar will focus on the following Executive Orders, and will also discuss other applicable actions taken by President Biden:

• Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
• Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation

So where do you start? What do the Executive Orders specifically prescribe? And what’s necessary to meet those requirements? Join us on February 9 to get those answers.

Like all FELTG training events, this webinar will be updated to the minute. You can’t afford to miss it.

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (price per webinar, payment required by February 1): $255

Standard Tuition (price per webinar, payment made February 2 or later): $285

Remote working? Teleworker lines may be added to a main site registration for $50 per person, on a space-available basis.

Interested in registering more than 50 attendees? Contact FELTG for information about large group pricing.

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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Course Description

When President Biden signed Executive Order 14003, Protecting the Federal Workforce, he revoked President Trump’s Executive Orders 13836, 13837, and 13839 and eradicated the Schedule F classification mandated by Executive Order 13957. It’s been decades since the civil service has seen so much change in just one stroke of a pen.

This far-reaching Executive Order has significant impact on labor relations official time, contract negotiation timelines, topics of bargaining, performance and disciplinary actions for non-union employees, clean record settlements, and more.

You might have questions, such as:

• What does this mean if your CBAs were already renegotiated?
• Is progressive discipline going to be mandatory now?
• Do Performance Demonstration Periods have to be longer than 30 days? Can we call them PIPs again?
• What happens if your agency already sent Schedule F lists to OPM?
• What will become of the OPM regulations implementing EO 13839
• What changes if permissive bargaining is now mandatory?

In this 90-minute webinar presented by FELTG President Deborah Hopkins and FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm, you will get answers to those questions and much more. EO 14003 prescribes several specific actions that agencies must take. So where do you start? Join us on February 9 to get those answers.

Like all FELTG training events, this webinar will be updated to the minute. You can’t afford to miss it.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Ann Boehm

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (price per webinar, payment required by February 15): $295

Standard Tuition (price per webinar, payment made February 16 or later): $325

Remote working? Teleworker lines may be added to a main site registration for $50 per person, on a space-available basis.

Interested in registering more than 50 attendees? Contact FELTG for information about large group pricing.

Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Event held on Zoom. 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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Course Description

The Executive Orders President Biden signed early on in his presidency have significantly changed the face of the federal workplace, leading to changes in workplace diversity initiatives, LGBTQ issues, labor relations official time, union contract negotiation timelines, topics of bargaining, performance and disciplinary actions for non-union employees, clean record settlements, and much more.

If you attended one of FELTG’s recent webinars on the Biden Executive Orders, then you know some of this already. But that’s not enough. OPM guidance has been provided, and that guidance could dramatically change many processes and procedures for Executive Orders 13985, 13988, and 14003. Join FELTG for this new and updated-to-the-minute comprehensive training event where President Deborah Hopkins and Instructor Ann Boehm will dive into the language of the EOs, related OPM guidance, and significant legal decisions, and interpret what it means to your day-to-day operations.

The federal workplace remains in a state of flux. The administration has nominated Kiran Ahuja to lead the Office for Personnel Management and made changes in the leadership of the EEOC and FLRA. Can nominees to the MSPB be far behind? Meanwhile, the majority of federal employees continue to work remotely, yet agencies plan for the return of vaccinated employees. Ms. Hopkins and Ms. Boehm will provide you with all of the latest information on federal employment law-related news and thoroughly explain their impact.

If you missed any of the recent FELTG webinars on the Biden Executive Orders, then hurry up and register. You have a lot to catch up on. If you already attended, this session will build on the last one with newer, updated guidance. In this 90-minute webinar, you will get the answers to all of your questions, such as:

• Does OPM guidance address what to do if your CBAs were already renegotiated?
• How have workplace protections changed for transgender employees?
• How long are Performance Demonstration Periods supposed to be?
• What has become of the OPM regulations implementing EO 13839?
• Is progressive discipline mandatory now?
• What changes if permissive bargaining is now mandatory?
• Are there any restrictions on diversity training?

And you’ll have the opportunity to ask your own questions, and get answers, in real time.

The federal workplace is undergoing a dramatic shift right now, and you can’t afford to miss this training event.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Ann Boehm

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (price per webinar, payment required by March 29): $295

Standard Tuition (price per webinar, payment made March 30 or later) : $325

Remote working? Teleworker lines may be added to a main site registration for $50 per person, on a space-available basis.

Interested in registering more than 50 attendees? Contact FELTG for information about large group pricing.

Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Event held on Webex. 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

Bob Woods

Course Description

The Federal Circuit recently overturned 40 years of precedent in its Santos v. NASA decision, ruling that agencies under MSPB jurisdiction must have substantial evidence that the employee was performing poorly BEFORE the agency is allowed to put the employee on a PIP.

So, what kinds of evidence do you need pre-PIP? Can an employee grieve your decision to put him on a PIP? Who has the burden to prove whether a performance plan was discriminatory? And, exactly how much poor performance is needed to show a “continued” pattern of poor performance, as is now required?

In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins and FELTG Instructor Bob Woods will explain how this case drastically changes the way agencies handle instances of employee poor performance, and what’s required to satisfy the new requirements in Santos. While this is a significant change, good news: it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think and, in fact, may even help you protect the agency against claims of reprisal or discrimination. Ms. Hopkins will walk you through other details in Santos and share some of the pitfalls that could lead to a questioning of whether putting the employee on the performance improvement plan was appropriate.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Assess what constitutes “continued” poor performance.
• Determine when there is enough evidence to put an employee on a PIP.
• Document your justification for putting the employee on a PIP.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (payment required by April 2): $285
• Standard Tuition (payment made by April 3 later): $315

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.

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Course Description

Back by popular demand!

The Federal Circuit recently overturned 40 years of precedent in its Santos v. NASA decision, ruling that agencies under MSPB jurisdiction must have substantial evidence that the employee was performing poorly BEFORE the agency is allowed to put the employee on a PIP.

So, what kinds of evidence do you need pre-PIP? Can an employee grieve your decision to put him on a PIP? Who has the burden to prove whether a performance plan was discriminatory? And, exactly how much poor performance is needed to show a “continued” pattern of poor performance, as is now required?

In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins and FELTG Instructor Bob Woods will explain how this case drastically changes the way agencies handle instances of employee poor performance, and what’s required to satisfy the new requirements in Santos. While this is a significant change, good news: it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think and, in fact, may even help you protect the agency against claims of reprisal or discrimination. The instrcutors will walk you through other details in Santos and share some of the pitfalls that could lead to a questioning of whether putting the employee on the performance improvement plan was appropriate.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Assess what constitutes “continued” poor performance.
• Determine when there is enough evidence to put an employee on a PIP.
• Document your justification for putting the employee on a PIP.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Bob Woods

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (payment required by April 30): $290
• Standard Tuition (payment made May 1 or later): $325

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

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

One of the biggest discoveries of the pandemic has been how well federal employees have transitioned to telework. That’s good since most will continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future, and increased telework appears to be in many agencies’ long-term plans.

But telework isn’t for everyone, and some employees will struggle regardless of whether they’re at home or in an office. Poor performance and misconduct can never be overlooked, particularly under a new administration in which accountability is prioritized.

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 during a pandemic.

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.

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

Price

Early Bird Tuition (payment required by May 3): $270

Standard Tuition (payment made by May 4 or later): $300

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

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Remember those Trump Executive Orders that stressed progressive discipline was not mandatory? Well, those EOs are gone — rescinded and replaced by the new administration’s EOs. Does that mean that progressive discipline is now mandatory?

No it’s not, and you’re excused if you weren’t sure. The media has created a legend about the unfireable employee that continues to confuse and mislead many supervisors,

While it’s not mandatory, progressive discipline is a highly effective and useful disciplinary tool, even more so now under the Biden Administration. This 60-minute webinar will lay out the case for when and how to effectively use progressive discipline. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will explain the foundations of discipline, and discuss cases where progressive discipline was used and cases where it wasn’t, along with the results of those decisions.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Differentiate between performance problems and misconduct
• Identify instances where one act of misconduct was so bad, removal was warranted.
• Understand the tricky concept of comparator employees.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (payment required by June 1): $240
• Standard Tuition (payment made by June 2 or later): $270

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

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

A few weeks ago the MSPB released a report called Agency Leader Responsibilities Related to Prohibited Personnel Practices. As part of the report, MSPB has mandated training for agency supervisors and employees on whistleblowing, prohibited personnel practices, and the new disciplinary procedures required under the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act (Kirkpatrick Act) at 5 U.S.C. § 7515.

In some ways, Kirkpatrick discipline looks like traditional Chapter 75 discipline, but in other ways it varies significantly. Don’t be caught unaware. Join FELTG President Deborah Hopkins as she explains all the specifics.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the reasoning behind Kirkpatrick discipline, and the role of the agency head in such actions.
• Identify the three specific PPPs at issue in Kirkpatrick discipline cases.
• Employ the specific requirements for discipline against management officials who reprise against whistleblowers.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (payment required by July 9): $285
• Standard Tuition (payment made by July or later): $315

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.

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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.

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Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Program Description

As 2021 came to a close, agency leaders and supervisors worked diligently processing requests for exemptions to the vaccine mandate, and disciplining those who refused or failed to be vaccinated. Then on January 21, a Federal judge in Texas issue a nationwide injunction that brought everything to a screeching halt. But questions remain:

• Must you overturn discipline you’ve already taken against unvaccinated employees?
• Do employees who complied with the vaccine mandate in order to maintain their jobs have a route of grievance or appeal?
• Do you still process reasonable accommodation requests for exemptions?
• Can you still ask applicants for proof of vaccination status?
• Can you still enforce other safety protocols, such as masking?
• What happens if a higher court reinstates the mandate?
• How do you handle hostile workplace discrimination based on vaccination status?
• What does this mean for agencies that have established, or want to establish, their own vaccine requirements?

During this 60-minute webinar, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will provide answers to these and other questions — and she will take your questions as you try to navigate these uncertain issues, while at the same time your agency is making preparations to return employees to the physical workspace.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $285 per site (payment required by February 7)
• Standard Tuition: $315 per site (payments made February 8 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.

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Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Program Description

Recreational marijuana is legal in over 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.

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.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by February 16)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made February 17 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.

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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

Deborah Hopkins

Program Description

If you’ve been in the business for more than a few days, you know the importance of drafting legally-sufficient disciplinary charges, and making a reasonable penalty determination. Yet many agencies still lose cases because of poorly drafted charges. This session will cover the art and science behind drafting disciplinary charges, including the types of charges, parts of a charge, how charges are interpreted, and alternative charges. From there the discussion will cover the factors required to determine an appropriate penalty for employee misconduct. Plus, with a quorum now restored, we’ll look at how the brand-new MSPB views charges and penalties by deconstructing the first Board cases we’ve gotten in over five years.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discuss the MSPB and Federal Circuit lead cases involving penalty determination.
• Defend the penalty using the Douglas Factors – or related penalty defense factors.
• Draft effective proposal and decision letters.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by April 20)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made April 21 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.

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Instructor

Bob Woods

Course Description

The borderline between on-duty and off-duty became blurred as of late with the omnipresence of social and media and many employees working from home. 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.

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.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per webinar (payment required by May 27)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per webinar (payments made May 28 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 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.

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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.

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Instructor

Bob Woods

Course Description

The new MSPB quorum is working its way through the vast backlog of cases, and it has become clear that they’ve made whistleblower cases a priority.  Over the course of 60 minutes, Attorney and FELTG instructor Bob Woods will share everything you need to know about whistleblower reprisal – the standards, burdens of proof, and actions that constitute reprisal. Plus, he’ll discuss how to defend your agency against the inevitable whistleblower reprisal allegation, and discuss the recent MSPB decisions.

Mr. Woods will also provide BONUS content — synopses of all of the new MSPB’s whistleblower decisions up to this point.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Handle whistleblower disclosures that turn out to be false.
• Recognize what constitutes whistleblower reprisal, and how to avoid it.
• Discipline a whistleblower for misconduct unrelated to whistleblowing.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per webinar (payment required by August 29)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per webinar (payments made August 30 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.

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Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Program Description

Your agency has ordered employees to return to the physical workplace, and one of your employees hasn’t shown up for work for three days straight.  He hasn’t contacted his supervisor either.  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 is AWOL?

In this 60-minute presentation, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will deconstruct the mystery of Absence Without Leave and offer strategies for agencies to take when an employee doesn’t show up for work, plus explain and other scenarios where AWOL applies.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the elements of the charge of Absent Without Leave or Unauthorized Absence
• Determine reasonable penalties when AWOL is charged
• Identify situations where a perceived AWOL might be another type of absence

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by September 26)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made September 27 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

Deborah Hopkins

Program Description

President Biden recently issued a pardon for people convicted of simple possession of marijuana. Recreational marijuana is legal in over 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.

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.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by October 12)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made October 13 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.

Program Description

As employees return en masse to the physical workplace and attempt to re-adjust themselves to their new surroundings, it’s highly likely that you’ll see some drops in performance – especially as employees struggle to acclimate to the hybrid work format. Let’s say you put the employee on a performance demonstration period and he does well enough to stay in his position. But weeks after the PIP, ODAP, DP – or whatever your agency calls it – his performance again becomes unacceptable.

What do you do?

And what has the new MSPB said about this?

Although performance swings are expected to recur more often in the next several months, this is not a new challenge — and it doesn’t appear to be one likely to go away. You can’t afford to ignore this. Attorney Bob Woods will provide you step-by-step guidance on effectively and efficiently handling wide swings in performance, and he’ll share the most recent MSPB decisions.

Date and Time

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

Instructor

Bob Woods

Registration

Download Registration Form

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by February 21)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made February 22 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.

Program Description

Few situations draw as much angst among supervisors as when they have an employee with a physical or mental impairment who is 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.

Over the course of 60 minutes, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will walk you through a step-by-step process for effectively managing misconduct for employees who have medical issues.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Determine whether disability should be a mitigating factor in discipline.
• Appropriately charge Absence Without Leave.
• Determine the best course of action for an employee who is unable to come to work because of a medical issue.

Date and Time

Thursday, April 6, 2023, 100 – 2:00pm ET.

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Registration

Download Registration Form Here

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by March 27)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after March 28)

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.

Program Description

Preparing performance narratives can be tough. It’s a lot of writing, sometimes it’s hard to make the documentation you have fit what was written in the performance plan, and sometimes you know there’s going to be a fight about what you put down on that form. In certain instances, it’s the employee who thinks the rating should be higher. Other times, it’s a reviewer who doesn’t necessarily see your employee’s performance at the same level as you do. And, in some agencies, there are review panels that may be scouring your documentation.

FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga provides guidance to make preparing performance narratives less tough – and more effective.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the basic principles of performance plans.
• Effectively assign rating levels.
• Recognize problems with elements and standards.

Date and Time

Thursday, May 4, 2023, 1:00 -2:00pm ET.

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Registration

Download Registration Form Here

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by April 24, 2023)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after April 25, 2023)

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.

Course Description

Since the MSPB finally had its quorum restored, it has diligently been tackling the backlog of PFRs using a hybrid approach on case processing. But one thing has become crystal clear about the MSPB’s approach — whistleblower cases are a priority.

Join Attorney at Law Bob Woods for an in-depth look at how the new MSPB has ruled on whistleblower cases since the Board was sworn in. In addition, Mr. Woods will share everything else you need to know about whistleblower reprisal – the standards, burdens of proof, and actions that constitute reprisal. Plus, he’ll discuss how to defend your agency against a whistleblower reprisal allegation.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Handle whistleblower disclosures that turn out to be false.
• Recognize what constitutes whistleblower reprisal, and how to avoid it.
• Discipline a whistleblower for misconduct unrelated to whistleblowing.

Date and Time

Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET.

Instructor

Bob Woods

Registration

Download Registration Form

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site (payment required by May 11)
• Standard Tuition: $325 per site (payments made May 12 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.

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

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.

Program Description

Few situations draw as much angst among supervisors as when they have an employee with a physical or mental impairment who is 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.

Over the course of 60 minutes, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will walk you through a step-by-step process for effectively managing misconduct for employees who have medical issues.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Determine whether disability should be a mitigating factor in discipline.
• Appropriately charge Absence Without Leave.
• Determine the best course of action for an employee who is unable to come to work because of a medical issue.

Date and Time

Thursday, October 26, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Registration

Download Registration Form Here

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by October 11)
• Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after October 12)

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.

Course Description

Your agency has ordered some employees to return to the physical workplace, and one of them hasn’t shown up for work for three days straight. He hasn’t contacted his supervisor either. 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?

When it comes to AWOL, there are a lot of questions. And a lot of misunderstandings. For example: Considering the following statements:

• You can’t discipline an employee for AWOL unless it has reached a certain number of days.
• Employees can’t be removed for AWOL.
• You can’t be charged AWOL for time that you were physically present in the office.

None of these statements are true; they are AWOL myths.

In this 60-minute presentation, FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will deconstruct the mystery of Absence Without Leave (and its companion charge, Unauthorized Absence), shatter the aforementioned myths, and offer strategies for agencies to take when an employee doesn’t show up for work.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the elements of the charges Absent Without Leave and Unauthorized Absence
• Determine reasonable penalties when AWOL is charged
• Identify situations where a perceived AWOL might be another type of absence

Date and Time

Thursday, February 1, 1 -2 pm ET

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Registration

Download Individual Registration Form

Pricing

• Early Bird Tuition (register by January 2): $145
• Standard Tuition (register January 3 or later): $195
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through January 2. 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 2. 

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

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 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.