Calendar

Event Description

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

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

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

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

You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for all three. This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

Tuesday, May 3

Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles

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

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

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Wednesday, May 4

Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation

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

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Thursday, May 5

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

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

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Price

Early Bird Tuition (register by April 18): One Session = $340 | Two Sessions = $650 | Full Event = $900
Standard Tuition (register April 19-May 5): One Session = $390 | Two Sessions = $695 | Full Event = $950
Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through April 18. Contact FELTG.
REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

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

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

May

4

Wed

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace

May 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Instructors

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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Employee Relations Return to Workplace Series Supervisory Webinar Tags: webinar

May

11

Wed

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace

May 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Instructors

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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Employee Relations Return to Workplace Series Supervisory Webinar Tags: webinar

May

Wed

Webinar Series – Navigating the Return to the Post-pandemic Federal Workplace

May 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm

Instructors

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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Employee Relations Return to Workplace Series Supervisory Webinar Tags: webinar

Jul

28

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace

Jul 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Instructors

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.

4

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace

Aug 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Instructors

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.

11

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace

Aug 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Instructors

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.

15

Mon

Virtual Training Event – Workplace Investigations Week

Aug 15 – Aug 19 all-day

Katherine Atkinson, Ann Boehm

This week of FELTG training focuses on conducting administrative investigations in the federal workplace with an emphasis on employee misconduct including workplace harassment. After an overview of the substantive law, participants will learn procedures and best practices for conducting administrative investigations, including understanding what constitutes misconduct, the differences between EEO and non-EEO harassment, planning the investigation, fact finding, collecting evidence, dealing with witnesses, understanding types of questioning, and testifying at hearing. The week concludes with a day focused on writing an investigative report.

Special content will also discuss conducting investigations post-pandemic, including tips for interviewing witnesses virtually, addressing safety concerns during in-person interviewing and evidence gathering, and more.

Note: this class includes breakout discussions and workshops, and attendees are encouraged to participate via audio. Because of the interactive nature of this program attendance is limited, so register early to guarantee your spot.

The program runs 12:30 – 4:30 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break midway.

This program meets the requirements for training under the Department of Interior’s Anti-Harassment Policy.

Instructors

Daily Agenda

Monday, August 15

Administrative Investigations: The Substantive Basis: Why investigate; discipline law and elements; understanding charges of misconduct; collecting penalty evidence; law behind other types of administrative investigations; witness rights; union representation.

Tuesday, August 16

Harassment Investigations: Investigating allegations of harassment; differentiating between EEO and non-EEO harassment; the latest on LGBTQ+ discrimination; overlapping forms of discrimination.

Wednesday, August 17

Conducting the Investigation, Part I: Evidentiary principles; purpose of investigation; preparing for the investigation; role of the investigator; planning the investigation. beginning the interview.

Thursday, August 18

Conducting the Investigation, Part II: Conducting the interview; handling difficult witnesses; assessing credibility/lies/hearing what isn’t said; body language; gathering other evidence; technology and investigations; high profile case considerations; testifying at an administrative hearing; rules for being an effective witness.

Friday, August 19

Writing the Investigative Report: Organizing for the report; establishing the chronology; writing for your audience; report writing style; report writing conventions; report organization; sample report.

Pricing

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

Early Bird Tuition (register by August 1):

5 days = $1495
4 days = $1225
3 days = $935
2 days = $700
1 day = $370

Standard Tuition (register August 2-19):

5 days = $1575
4 days = $1305
3 days = $995
2 days = $730
1 day = $400

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.
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 for the full event. Group discounts are available through August 1.

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

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace

Aug 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Instructors

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.

Oct

4

Virtual Training Event – Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations

Oct 4 – Oct 6 all-day

Event Description

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

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

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

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

You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for all three. This program runs from 1:00 – 4:30 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:30 – 3:00 eastern.

Tuesday, October 4

Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (break from 2:30 – 3:00)

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

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Wednesday, October 5

Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (break from 2:30 – 3:00)

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Thursday, October 6

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (break from 2:30 – 3:00)

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Price

Early Bird Tuition (register by September 19): One Session = $370 | Two Sessions = $700 | Full Event = $935
Standard Tuition (register September 20-October 6): One Session = $400 | Two Sessions = $730 | Full Event = $995
Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through September 19. Contact FELTG.
REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more attendees for the full event. Group discounts are available through September 19.

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

Oct

Virtual Training Event – Writing Final Agency Decisions

Oct 18 – Oct 19 all-day

Course Description

Final Agency Decision sounds so, well, “final.” But it most definitely is not. A FAD is appealable, by the complainant, to the EEOC. And many employees have and will continue to take advantage of that opportunity to appeal the agency’s decision. And here’s the thing: The EEOC’s decisions are filled with reversals of the agency’s FAD, finding no discrimination.

How do you avoid such a disappointing decision?

Learn how to write an effective final agency decision. To do that requires a knowing and understanding of discrimination law, as it is uniquely applied to the Federal workplace.

That’s what FELTG Instructor and Attorney at Law Katherine Atkinson will teach you over two half-days of virtual training. Attendees will leave with all they need to know to write an effective FAD, including identifying and avoiding the pitfalls that often lead to the EEOC reversals that plague so many EEO professionals.

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

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

Instructor

Agenda

Tuesday, October 18

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

Wednesday, October 19

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

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $355 per session, $690 for both sessions (register by October 3).
Standard Tuition: $395 per session, $750 for both sessions (register October 4-19).
Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
Want to register a group? Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG will use Zoom for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
- FELTG plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
How do I receive a group rate discount?
- If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is October 3.
Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.

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

Categories: DEIA EEO EEO EEO Refresher Legal Writing Virtual Training Tags: virtual training

Nov

8

The Power of an Inclusive Mentality

Nov 8 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Instructors

J. Bruce Stewart

Description

What do rats addicted to heroin, Rosa Parks, a third-grade school teacher, a prize winning stage director, Miles Davis, and a little girl who has a form of autism called Williams Syndrome have in common? They have figured out the code to great performance. And that code? It is Inclusive Mentality.

In this interactive and highly engaging presentation, Dr. Stewart, former Deputy Director for Diversity and Inclusion for the Office of Personnel Management and creator of OPM’s New IQ, will explain what the inclusive mentality code is and how it can be unlocked to unleash the full potential of diverse teams, in line with the President’s DEIA mandates.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

Develop an inclusive mentality for team and organizational success.
Explain why diversity alone or inclusion alone is not the answer but instead a big part of the problem.
Make others around you better (and explain why it’s the key 21st Century skill).

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition: $295 (payment required by October 24)
Standard Tuition: $325 (payments made October 25 or later)
Rates per registrant.
Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available until October 24. 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 also plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available until October 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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Supervisory Virtual Training Tags: virtual training

Nov

17

Reasonable Accommodation: Meeting Post-pandemic Challenges in Your Agency

Nov 17 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Class Description

Federal employees are making their way back to the physical workplace. There is a lot to think through as you prepare for the en masse return, and one of those considerations should most definitely be reasonable accommodation.

Employee needs, physical conditions, and medication adjustments can evolve over such an extended period. Once successful accommodations may no longer be effective. You must have a process in place to properly re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ accommodations.

Get ready, you’re going to hear a lot about the word “telework” in these accommodation discussions. After all, employees successfully worked remotely for almost two years, so why wouldn’t it be a viable and effective accommodation? Are you prepared to make the right determination on a request to telework as an accommodation?

New conditions have emerged over the last couple of years and you should be ready to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with long haul COVID, breathing challenges, and mental health conditions.

Over two hours, FELTG Instructor and Attorney at Law Katherine Atkinson will make sure you are prepared for this new world of reasonable accommodation.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

Effectively revisit existing accommodations.
Use the interactive process to find an effective reasonable accommodation.
Determine if telework is an effective accommodation.

Date and Time

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Instructor

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition: $295 (payment required by November 2)
Standard Tuition: $325 (payments made November 3 or later)
Rates per registrant.
Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available until November 2. 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 also plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available until November 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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Supervisory Virtual Training Tags: virtual training

Feb

16

Reasonable Accommodation: Meeting Post-pandemic Challenges in Your Agency

Feb 16 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Class Description

For all intents and purposes, the pandemic is over, yet it continues to pose a significant challenge to federal agencies, particularly in the area of reasonable accommodation. Different variations of COVID are still floating around. COVID continues to keep many people from returning to the physical workplace. And the long-term impacts of COVID are now being felt.

Join FELTG Instructor and Attorney at Law Katherine Atkinson for this two-hour class to ensure you are prepared for this new world of reasonable accommodation.

Employee needs, physical conditions, and medication adjustments evolve over extended periods. Once successful accommodations may no longer be effective. You must have a process in place to properly re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ accommodations.

Get ready, you’re going to hear a lot about the word “telework” in these accommodation discussions. After all, employees successfully worked remotely for almost two years, so why wouldn’t it be a viable and effective accommodation? Are you prepared to make the right determination on a request to telework as an accommodation?

New conditions have emerged over the last couple of years, and you should be ready to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with long haul COVID, breathing challenges, and mental health conditions.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

Effectively revisit existing accommodations.
Use the interactive process to find an effective reasonable accommodation.
Determine if telework is an effective accommodation.

Date and Time

Thursday, February 16, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Instructor

Registration

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition: $295 (payment required by February 2)
Standard Tuition: $325 (payments made February 3 or later)
Rates per registrant.
Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available until February 2. 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 also plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available until February 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.

Categories: DEIA EEO Supervisory Virtual Training Tags: virtual training

Mar

9

Webinar – Antisemitism and Other Religious Harassment in the Federal Workplace

Mar 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Course Description

Antisemitism is never acceptable. However, recent remarks by celebrities, athletes, and news networks have made antisemitism seem more commonplace, in all facets of life, including the workplace. Title VII makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on, among other things, religion. However, this is one of the protected categories least understood.

In this 60-minute webinar, FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson will explain these Title VII protections. Ms. Atkinson will also provide guidance on how to ensure that individuals in protected categories are not discriminated against, with a specific focus on harassment and discrimination against Jewish employees.

Attendees will learn how to:

Recognize incidents of religious harassment, particularly those aimed at Jewish employees.
Promptly correct harassing behavior aimed at an employee’s religious beliefs.
Understand when an agency would be liable for religious harassment.

Date and Time

Thursday, March 9, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.

Instructor

Registration

Download Registration Form Here

Price

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

Categories: DEIA EEO EEO Standalone Webinars Webinar

Apr

Virtual Training Event – Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law