MSPB Law Week covers the basics of charges, penalties and performance cases, with special emphasis on leave abuse and medical issues. Join top MSPB practitioners and topic authors, and learn the law, strategies, and techniques from their many years of combined experience.
Become a certified MSPB practitioner: MSPB Law Week participants are eligible for the FELTG Certified Practitioner Program.
Instructors
William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins
Daily Agenda:
Monday
Adverse Actions: The 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: 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, the Obama-Board and big penalty mitigation changes.
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 = $2050
- 4 days = $1680
- 3 days = $1290
- 2 days = $910
- 1 day = $490
Instructors
Course Description
Meet your mandatory EEO Counselor and Investigator refresher training with FELTG this summer. Each 90-minute session provides 1.5 hours toward the annual refresher requirement mandated by EEOC.
Register for the entire series and receive a bonus supplement of materials on interviewing skills, to complete the hours of content to fulfill the entire 8-hour refresher requirement.
2017 dates coming soon!
Price
As an Employee Relations Specialist, you have a challenging job –- and once you know the basics, you realize there is always more to learn. So, FELTG is happy to present Advanced Employee Relations, a three-day seminar focused on immersing you in the employee relations topics you need most.
Held in lovely San Francisco in December 2016, you’ll receive three days of in-depth training on topics including leave, performance, misconduct and more. Plus, hands-on workshops will allow you to leave with the tools you’ll need to succeed.
The program runs 8:30 – 4:00 each day.
Instructor
Daily Agenda:
Monday
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. Aacceptable 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.
Tuesday
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.
Wednesday
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
- 3 days = $1290
- 2 days = $910
- 1 day = $490
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 performance and conduct, FMLA and other leave scenarios, EEO and disability discrimination, workplace management and leadership skills, and supervising unionized employees.
As a bonus, 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, Barbara Haga.
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
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.
Wednesday
Essential Management Skills for Federal Supervisors: Communicating effectively with employees; managing a multigenerational workforce; handling difficult employees; managing a mobile workforce; mentorship; honing your presentation skills; conducting effective meetings.
Thursday
Effectively Managing Employee Leave Issues: Annual leave; sick leave; Leave Without Pay; FMLA; medical certification requirements; substitution of paid leave; leave stacking.
Friday
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.
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
Registered participants will receive a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant, fourth edition (pending publication date).
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, Barbara Haga
Course Description
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, legal writing in federal sector employment law is a specialized craft, and it’s changed a lot in the last few years. This webinar series will help practitioners focus on the skills needed to produce effective, defensible, legally-sound documents in the federal sector including disciplinary letters, performance plans, and summary judgment motions. Sample language, templates and documents provided during the webinars will give the attendee templates to use long after the series concludes.
Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. eastern. Spend an hour a week with FELTG and start changing – and simplifying – the way you write for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA.
- February 1: Legal Writing for the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA: An Overview
- February 8: Framing Charges and Drafting Proposed Discipline
- February 15: The Douglas Factor Analysis and Writing the Decision
- February 22: Writing Performance Improvement Plans that Work
- March 1: Working with Performance Standards: Creating and Editing
- March 8: Writing Effective Motions for Summary Judgment
Price
$220 per site per session, or register for all six webinars by January 25 and pay only $1240!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.
MSPB Law Week covers the basics of charges, penalties and performance cases, with special emphasis on leave abuse and medical issues. Join top MSPB practitioners and topic authors, and learn the law, strategies, and techniques from their many years of combined experience.
Become a certified MSPB practitioner: MSPB Law Week participants are eligible for the FELTG Certified Practitioner Program.
Instructors
William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins
Daily Agenda:
Monday
Adverse Actions: The 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: 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, the Obama-Board and big penalty mitigation changes.
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 = $2070
- 4 days = $1700
- 3 days = $1310
- 2 days = $930
- 1 day = $510
Instructors: Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Rock Rockenbach
Course Description
Meet your mandatory EEO Counselor and Investigator refresher training with FELTG this summer. Each 90-minute session provides 1.5 hours toward the annual refresher requirement mandated by EEOC. Register for the entire series and receive a bonus supplement of materials on interviewing skills, to complete the hours of content mandated by EEOC to fulfill the entire 8-hour refresher requirement. Series attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the series.
Sessions
Wednesday, June 28: EEO Complaints in 2017: What Counselors and Investigators Need to Know
Wednesday, July 12: Understanding Current Issues: Reasonable Accommodation Trends in 2017
Wednesday, July 26: The Latest on Sexual Orientation and Gender Discrimination in the Federal Government
Wednesday, August 9: Updates on Discrimination: Recent Cases about Race, Color, Religion and National Origin
Wednesday, August 23: Practical Skills for Counselors and Investigators: Interviewing Complainants and Witnesses
Price
$270 per session. Register for all five by June 23 and pay only $1180!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 per person, per session, on a space available basis.
Instructors: Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Rock Rockenbach
Course Description
Meet your mandatory EEO Counselor and Investigator refresher training with FELTG this summer. Each 90-minute session provides 1.5 hours toward the annual refresher requirement mandated by EEOC. Register for the entire series and receive a bonus supplement of materials on interviewing skills, to complete the hours of content mandated by EEOC to fulfill the entire 8-hour refresher requirement. Series attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the series.
Sessions
Wednesday, June 28: EEO Complaints in 2017: What Counselors and Investigators Need to Know
Wednesday, July 12: Understanding Current Issues: Reasonable Accommodation Trends in 2017
Wednesday, July 26: The Latest on Sexual Orientation and Gender Discrimination in the Federal Government
Wednesday, August 9: Updates on Discrimination: Recent Cases about Race, Color, Religion and National Origin
Wednesday, August 23: Practical Skills for Counselors and Investigators: Interviewing Complainants and Witnesses
Price
$270 per session. Register for all five by June 23 and pay only $1180!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 per person, per session, on a space available basis.