Calendar

FELTG Executive Director Deborah Hopkins instructing a class
Jun
27
Mon
Managing Federal Employee Accountability – New Orleans
Jun 27 – Jul 1 all-day

THIS PROGRAM IS SOLD OUT! Please consider attending Managing Federal Employee Accountability in Honolulu, HI August 1-5 or in San Francisco December 5-9.

Managing employee accountability for performance and conduct is critical to any agency’s success. It is also important to understand – and effectively supervise matters involving  – supervision of union employees, managing leave scenarios, handling EEO issues and successfully communicating with a diverse workforce.

This FELTG seminar covers all of the most important topics federal supervisors – and those who advise them – need to know about the relevant law, policy, strategy and best practices related to HR skills in the government workforce.

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Daily Agenda:

Monday

Uncivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct: Fundamentals of disciplinary actions and unacceptable performance actions; establishing rules of conduct; proving misconduct; selecting a defensible penalty; providing due process via agency discipline procedures; writing valid performance standards; implement a Performance Improvement Plan; removal for unacceptable performance in 31 days.

Tuesday

Supervising in a Unionized Environment: What every supervisor should know about federal labor unions; collective bargaining agreements; official time; LR meetings; an overview of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute; fundamental employee, union, and management rights; unfair labor practices; controlling official time; handling information requests.

Wednesday

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

Thursday

The Manager’s Role in EEO: The role of EEO in the federal government; defining protected categories: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability and reprisal; what to do if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint; EEO witness tips.

Friday

Essential Management and Communication Skills: Communicating effectively with employees; identifying your leadership style; managing a multigenerational workforce; handling difficult employees; managing a mobile workforce; mentorship.

As an added incentive, supervisors who attend Monday and Friday sessions will receive a special certificate verifying participation in OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors, found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

Pricing

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

  • 5 days = $2075
  • 4 days = $1705
  • 3 days = $1315
  • 2 days = $935
  • 1 day = $515

* Cost includes a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct (3rd ed.), by William Wiley

Nearby hotel (walking distance): Towne Place Suites New Orleans Metairie

Aug
27
Mon
MSPB Law Week – Okinawa
Aug 27 – Aug 31 all-day

Download Registration Form

FELTG is coming to Okinawa!

The civil service world is changing and it’s important to be aware of the new laws and executive orders that apply to you. MSPB Law Week covers the basics of disciplinary charges and penalties, plus understanding the law and strategy in handling performance cases and defending against whistleblower reprisal complaints. Join MSPB practitioners and topic authors William Wiley and Deborah Hopkins, and learn the law, strategies, and techniques that will benefit your agency for years to come.

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

* This program is taking place Camp Foster. Exact location will be emailed to confirmed participants. In order to register you MUST have either (1) a DoD Issued Common Access Card (CAC), or (2) Camp Foster Base Access Pass.

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Daily Agenda

Monday

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

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

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

Thursday

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

Friday

Defending Against Affirmative Defenses: Claims of harmful error; whistleblower reprisal; reprisal for union activity; excessive penalty findings. Special Discussion: Recent Procedural Errors.

Pricing

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

  • 5 days = $2130
  • 4 days = $1750
  • 3 days = $1350
  • 2 days = $960
  • 1 day = $530

Location

We anticipate this program will be held at Camp Foster or Camp Butler, and will post specifics just as soon as we have them.

Dec
3
Mon
Managing Federal Employee Accountability – New Orleans
Dec 3 – Dec 7 all-day

Download Registration Form

One of the biggest myths about federal employees is that it’s very difficult to hold them accountable. This five-day program will disprove that myth, while making lives much easier for the supervisors who attend. Our presenters will explain how to take defensible misconduct and performance actions quickly and fairly. And where else could supervisors learn the skills to manage in a unionized environment and to handle leave abuse, EEO complaints, and reasonable accommodation requests? Want more? Attendees will learn workplace management, communication, and leadership skills that will help when dealing with the most challenging situations and employees.

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

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

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Daily Agenda:

Monday

Uncivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct: Fundamentals of disciplinary actions and unacceptable performance actions; establishing rules of conduct; proving misconduct; selecting a defensible penalty; providing due process via agency discipline procedures; writing valid performance standards; implement a Performance Improvement Plan; removal for unacceptable performance in 31 days.

Tuesday

Supervising in a Unionized Environment: What every supervisor should know about federal labor unions; collective bargaining agreements; official time; LR meetings; an overview of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute; fundamental employee, union, and management rights; unfair labor practices; controlling official time; handling information requests.

Wednesday

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

Thursday

The Manager’s Role in EEO: The role of EEO in the federal government; defining protected categories: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability and reprisal; what to do if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint; EEO witness tips.

Friday

Essential Management and Communication Skills: Communicating effectively with employees; identifying your leadership style; managing a multigenerational workforce; handling difficult employees; managing a mobile workforce; mentorship.

Pricing

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

  • 5 days = $2130
  • 4 days = $1750
  • 3 days = $1350
  • 2 days = $960
  • 1 day = $530

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

Nearby hotel (walking distance): Towne Place Suites New Orleans Metairie

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

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

Download Registration Form

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

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

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

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Barbara Haga

Daily Agenda:

Monday

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

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

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

Thursday

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

Friday

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

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

Pricing

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

Early Bird Tuition (register by July 8):

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

Standard Tuition (register July 9 – July 26):

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

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

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

Nov
19
Tue
Advanced Employee Relations – New Orleans
Nov 19 – Nov 21 all-day

Download Registration Form

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

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

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

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

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Daily Agenda:

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

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

Thursday

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

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (November 5):

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

Standard Tuition (register November 6 – November 21):

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

 

Nearby hotel (walking distance): Towne Place Suites New Orleans Metairie

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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