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.
Instructor
Program Description
The workforce is stressed out.
More than 40 percent of employees are feeling “highly stressed,” according to one recent report. In the workplace, stress leads to disengagement, conflict, and large drops in productivity.
It’s no wonder that employers, including some Federal agencies, are putting a high priority on employee mental well-being.
In this 60-minute webinar, Shana Palmieri, LCSW will supply your agency with the tools of knowledge, awareness, and interventions to support a healthy, successful and productive workforce.
Those who attend this webinar will learn how to:
- Understand the impact of stress on an employee’s health and work performance
- Develop effective strategies for coping with stress and improving focus
- Create an agency culture that is supportive, inclusive and accepting of employees’ differences
- Manage difficult personalities in the workplace
Note: This class focuses on the practical and clinical side of managing employees who have experienced stress rather than the legal side.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by March 13)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made March 14 or later)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Program Description
Few situations draw as much angst among supervisors as when they have an employee with a physical or mental impairment who is failing to meet conduct standards. With the rise in mental health diagnoses, substance abuse disorders and the physical challenges that come with an aging workforce, Federal supervisors can expect more of these gut-wrenching situations.
Over the course of 60 minutes, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will walk you through a step-by-step process for effectively managing misconduct for employees who have medical issues.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Determine whether disability should be a mitigating factor in discipline.
- Appropriately charge Absence Without Leave.
- Determine the best course of action for an employee who is unable to come to work because of a medical issue.
Date and Time
Thursday, April 6, 2023, 100 – 2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Download Registration Form Here
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by March 27)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after March 28)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Program Description
One of the most important, yet often forgotten, parts of the reasonable accommodation process is the follow up, or what FELTG calls the “check in.” Sometimes, accommodations are no longer effective, no longer needed – or, perhaps, a more effective accommodation has become available. It’s more important than ever for agencies to be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of revisiting existing accommodations.
And as employees start returning to the physical workplace, some after more than three years of remote work, now may be the time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ reasonable accommodations. FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, will explain why this is important, how to go about ensuring you find the right accommodation, and how to build the re-evaluation of an employee’s accommodation into a regular seamless process. She’ll also discuss scenarios where agencies shouldn’t change an existing accommodation.
Learning takeaways
Attendees will learn how to:
- Restart the interactive process when necessary.
- Make an appropriate, individualized reasonable accommodation determination.
- Determine if telework is an effective accommodation.
Date and Time
Thursday, April 13, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by April 3)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made April 4 or later)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Program Description
Preparing performance narratives can be tough. It’s a lot of writing, sometimes it’s hard to make the documentation you have fit what was written in the performance plan, and sometimes you know there’s going to be a fight about what you put down on that form. In certain instances, it’s the employee who thinks the rating should be higher. Other times, it’s a reviewer who doesn’t necessarily see your employee’s performance at the same level as you do. And, in some agencies, there are review panels that may be scouring your documentation.
FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga provides guidance to make preparing performance narratives less tough – and more effective.
Learning takeaways
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand the basic principles of performance plans.
- Effectively assign rating levels.
- Recognize problems with elements and standards.
Date and Time
Thursday, May 4, 2023, 1:00 -2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Download Registration Form Here
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by April 24, 2023)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after April 25, 2023)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
When a complaint is filed with your agency’s EEO office, it’s possible that something very wrong has happened. Yet, how agency officials respond to that complaint could go a long way toward not only resolving the complaint, but ensuring that you don’t make matters even worse than they are.
Too often, a supervisor or agency official’s response to an EEO complaint leads to a claim of reprisal. And more often than anyone should expect, that reprisal claim survives, even when it’s found that the original complaint’s discrimination allegations had no merit. Reprisal claims make up the bulk of EEO complaints, and it could get worse in the months ahead. The deep politicization of COVID-19 and pandemic fatigue have seeped into the workplace, fueling an increase in COVID-related reprisal.
Attorney Bob Woods will explain the statutory basis for EEO reprisal, identify the pitfalls that lead to successful claims, and provide numerous examples from EEOC case law.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Identify the elements of a valid reprisal claim.
- Understand why supervisors retaliate, and how to get them to stop.
- Recognize per se reprisal claims.
Date and Time
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Download Registration Form Here
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per webinar (payment required by May 8)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per webinar (payments made May 9 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.
Course Description
Since the MSPB finally had its quorum restored, it has diligently been tackling the backlog of PFRs using a hybrid approach on case processing. But one thing has become crystal clear about the MSPB’s approach — whistleblower cases are a priority.
Join Attorney at Law Bob Woods for an in-depth look at how the new MSPB has ruled on whistleblower cases since the Board was sworn in. In addition, Mr. Woods will share everything else you need to know about whistleblower reprisal – the standards, burdens of proof, and actions that constitute reprisal. Plus, he’ll discuss how to defend your agency against a whistleblower reprisal allegation.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Handle whistleblower disclosures that turn out to be false.
- Recognize what constitutes whistleblower reprisal, and how to avoid it.
- Discipline a whistleblower for misconduct unrelated to whistleblowing.
Date and Time
Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $295 per site (payment required by May 11)
- Standard Tuition: $325 per site (payments made May 12 or later)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Program Description
It’s been more than 40 years since we were all introduced to those 12 factors identified in the MSPB’s landmark Douglas decision, the most cited case in Federal employment law. But you don’t have to go back to the Reagan Administration to find examples of agencies’ misunderstanding and/or misapplying those factors.
A review of recent decisions by the new MSPB shows a lot of confusion about how to appropriately determine a penalty – and clarity from the Board about their view on Douglas.
Attorney Ann Boehm will share recent case law, highlighting how agencies correctly use the Douglas factors and also how they have been misapplied. She will answer all your Douglas questions, such as: Do the factors go in the proposal or the decision? What do OPM’s new regs say about the Douglas factors? Considering the VA Accountability Act, does the VA still have to do Douglas factors?
Learning takeaways
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand the Douglas principles.
- Explain when and how to use each factor.
- Avoid the too-common Douglas mistakes that sink your case.
Date and Time
Thursday, June 1, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Download Registration Form Here
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by May 22)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made May 23 or later)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
1
The reasonable accommodation process starts with a request from an employee or applicant. However, that request does not need to be in writing or be formalized in any certain way. In fact, an agency cannot require that a request for reasonable accommodation even include the words “ADA,” “request,” or even “reasonable accommodation.”
Heck, the request doesn’t even have to come from the employee.
If a employee makes a reference to a need for an adjustment or change and it’s related to a medical condition, then you have a request for reasonable accommodation.
During this training, you’ll receive guidance on how to “spot” a reasonable accommodation request, discuss the importance of having a reasonable accommodation policy, and provide examples of each.
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
- Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
1
Agencies must accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would be an undue hardship. But what constitutes “undue hardship?” It’s a term of art that’s not so easily defined. And since it’s the only “statutory limitation on an employer’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodation,” the undue hardship claim is one that’s often misunderstood and misused.
This presentation will provide a thorough review of the various factors involved in making an undue hardship determination, as well as a review of case examples that show when the determination was made correctly and, more importantly, when it wasn’t.
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
- Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
1
Congratulations, you’ve gone through the interactive process and come up with a reasonable accommodation that both you and the employee think will be effective.
But wait. It’s not over yet.
Over time, accommodations may lose their effectiveness. They may no longer be needed. Or, perhaps, a more effective accommodation has become available. One of the most important, yet often forgotten, parts of the reasonable accommodation process is the follow up, or what FELTG calls the “check-in.” It’s more important than ever for agencies to be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of revisiting existing accommodations.
And as employees start returning to the physical workplace, some after more than three years of remote work, now may be the time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ reasonable accommodations. In this class, you’ll learn how to:
- Go about ensuring you find the right accommodation.
- Build the re-evaluation of an employee’s accommodation into a regular seamless process.
- Recognize situations when an existing accommodation shouldn’t change.
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
- Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
1
Before the pandemic, telework was one of the the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.
After the success of pandemic-induced remote work, agencies are receiving more reasonable accommodation requests for telework, especially as employees are directed to return to the physical workplace. If someone has successfully teleworked already and is a qualified individual with a disability, must you grant the requested accommodation?
Join us for a discussion on this timely topic during the fourth event in our Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace in 2023 webinar series. This course will detail the required three-step process for agencies to be compliant when dealing with reasonable accommodation requests.
From there, we’ll cover: What to do if telework would be an effective accommodation – but something else would work too.
- Who gets to choose the accommodation?
- What the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute.
- When an agency can legally deny telework as an accommodation.
Often times the best way to learn is by looking at real-life case studies, so the session will include a discussion on recent federal cases – won and lost – involving telework requests as reasonable accommodation. Because of the cost incurred when handling a reasonable accommodation complaint, your agency EEO staff, reasonable accommodation coordinators, disability coordinators, HR staff and supervisors truly cannot afford to miss this event.
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
- Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
1
Almost everyone knows that individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodation – but did you know that federal employees are also entitled to reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices? And that the law is different? And that the Supreme Court has recently weighed in on this subject?
It’s important you know the distinctions and understand the legal ramifications. Join FELTG for the final session in our five-part Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace in 2023 webinar series.
After a review of the relevant law and regulations law that pertain to religious accommodation, FELTG Instructor Bob Woods will discuss:
- What religions qualify for accommodation.
- The definition of “undue hardship” and case examples.
- The most common accommodations for religion.
- Issues related to dress code and grooming.
- What to do when employees request to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons.
Whether you’re an attorney, EEO program specialist, HR specialist or manager, you’ll find everything you need to know about religious accommodations, including the impact of new Supreme Court decision, in this webinar.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site, per session (payment made by July 10).
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site, per session (payment made July 11 or later).
- Register for all five webinars in the series by July 10 and pay only $1295!
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, per webinar, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Program Description
Few situations draw as much angst among supervisors as when they have an employee with a physical or mental impairment who is failing to meet conduct standards. With the rise in mental health diagnoses, substance abuse disorders and the physical challenges that come with an aging workforce, Federal supervisors can expect more of these gut-wrenching situations.
Over the course of 60 minutes, FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will walk you through a step-by-step process for effectively managing misconduct for employees who have medical issues.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Determine whether disability should be a mitigating factor in discipline.
- Appropriately charge Absence Without Leave.
- Determine the best course of action for an employee who is unable to come to work because of a medical issue.
Date and Time
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET.
Instructor
Registration
Download Registration Form Here
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: $270 per site (payment required by October 11)
- Standard Tuition: $295 per site (payments made after October 12)
Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $60 per teleworker, on a space-available basis.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Your agency has ordered some employees to return to the physical workplace, and one of them hasn’t shown up for work for three days straight. He hasn’t contacted his supervisor either. Is the best way to discipline the employee to charge him with AWOL? What if he comes up with a reasonable explanation for his absence? Can you deny a leave request when an employee was AWOL?
When it comes to AWOL, there are a lot of questions. And a lot of misunderstandings. For example: Considering the following statements:
- You can’t discipline an employee for AWOL unless it has reached a certain number of days.
- Employees can’t be removed for AWOL.
- You can’t be charged AWOL for time that you were physically present in the office.
None of these statements are true; they are AWOL myths.
In this 60-minute presentation, FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will deconstruct the mystery of Absence Without Leave (and its companion charge, Unauthorized Absence), shatter the aforementioned myths, and offer strategies for agencies to take when an employee doesn’t show up for work.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand the elements of the charges Absent Without Leave and Unauthorized Absence
- Determine reasonable penalties when AWOL is charged
- Identify situations where a perceived AWOL might be another type of absence
Date and Time
Thursday, February 1, 1 -2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by January 2): $145
- Standard Tuition (register January 3 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through January 2. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through January 2.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Congratulations, you’ve gone through the interactive process and come up with a reasonable accommodation that both you and the employee think will be effective.
But wait. It’s not over yet.
Over time, accommodations may lose their effectiveness. They may no longer be needed. The nature of the work might change. Or, perhaps, a more effective accommodation has become available. One of the most important, yet often forgotten, parts of the reasonable accommodation process is the follow up, or what FELTG calls the “check-in.” It’s more important than ever for agencies to be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of revisiting existing accommodations.
And as employees have begun returning to the physical workplace at least a few days a month, now may be the time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of employees’ reasonable accommodations.
Learning takeaways
Attendees will learn how to:
- Restart the interactive process when necessary
- Make an appropriate, individualized reasonable accommodation determination
- Determine if telework is an effective accommodation
Date and Time
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by February 13): $145
- Standard Tuition (register February 14 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through February 13. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through February 13.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
It’s one of the situations most managers would most like to avoid — an employee who doesn’t show up for work. As agencies order some employees to return to the physical workplace, the chances an employee will not show up and not provide notice has increased. Is the best way to discipline the employee to charge him with AWOL? What if he comes up with a reasonable explanation for his absence? Can you deny a leave request when an employee was AWOL? Part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series, this class will give you all of the tools and knowledge you need to successfully and confidently respond when employees fail to follow leave procedures.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Hold employees accountable when they don’t show up for work.
- Properly use an AWOL charge.
- Expand knowledge of leave procedures.
Date and Time
April 9, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
It’s been over 40 years since we were all introduced to those 12 factors identified in the Merit System Protection Board’s landmark Douglas v. VA decision, the most cited case in Federal employment law. But you don’t have to go back to the Reagan Administration to find examples of agencies’ misunderstanding and/or misapplying those factors.
Just look at a any recent batch of MSPB decisions and you’ll find continued confusion about how to appropriately determine a penalty – and clarity from the Board about their view on Douglas.
Instructor and attorney Ann Boehm will share recent case law, highlighting how agencies correctly use the Douglas factors and also how they have been misapplied. She will answer all your Douglas questions, such as: Do the factors go in the proposal or the decision? What do OPM’s new regs say about the Douglas factors? What’s the best way to prevent penalty mitigation?
Learning takeaways
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand the Douglas factors principles
- Explain when and how to use each factor
- Avoid the too-common Douglas mistakes that sink your case
Date and Time
Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 24): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 25-April 23): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 24. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 24.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Federal supervisors have a useful tool to deal with underperforming employees – the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Yet, supervisors have consistently struggled with getting PIPs right. And then came the decision in Santos v. NASA, which requires agencies to have substantial evidence of poor performance BEFORE the implementing the PIP. Part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series, this class will detail the ins and outs of this requirement and share clear guidance and the effective, time-tested FELTG approach to handling unacceptable performance in 2024.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Gather the information needed prior the PIP process.
- Discern the difference between substantial and other types of evidence.
- Confidently handle unacceptable performance through the use of PIPs.
Date and Time
May 7, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Undoubtedly, remote workers have enjoyed the therapeutic benefits that come with owning a pet. But does that make their new furry friends therapy or emotional support animals? And can no-longer-remote employees bring their new four-legged (or sometimes two-legged, or no-legged) friends to the workplace? In most cases, the answer is an easy no. But if it’s a reasonable accommodation request, the answer isn’t quite as definitive. The EEOC’s stance that an emotional support animal may be a required reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability, even if it is not a trained service dog, fails to provide an easy answer.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Determine the difference between a service animal and a therapy animal
- Recognize when an emotional support animal would be a reasonable accommodation
- Effectively navigate the interactive process
Date and Time
May 23, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by April 23): $145
- Standard Tuition (register April 24 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through April 23. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through April 23.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Working with a skilled coach can transform individuals and teams. When coaching an individual supervisor, the coach creates a safe and confidential space to clarify issues. A client learns to maximize strengths and minimize self-sabotage, and to improve communication (up, down, and across the organization). When working with a team, the coach employs observation, discussion and assessments to understand and minimize unproductive conflict and maximize the talents and perspectives of team members. During this hour-long class, participants will learn what to expect when working with a coach, the complementary roles of a facilitator, consultant, and coach, and examples of positive outcomes for individuals and teams. This training is part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Maximize the unique talents of individuals in your agency
- Create a safe space for problem solving in the workplace
- Minimize conflict among team members
Date and Time
June 4, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Not everyone has the same definition of “harassment.” While most professionals recognize harassment that violates Title VII, some employees consider it harassment when supervisors provide critical performance feedback or assign work. And, in between, there are threatening, intimidating, and disturbing acts that are unrelated to protected classes, but nonetheless may be non-EEO harassment and must be addressed as misconduct. This program will not only identify the lines that separate these different levels of harassment both perceived and real, but also explain how and when to address harassment as misconduct.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Differentiate between non-EEO harassment, EEO harassment, and actions that don’t qualify as harassment
- Use the appropriate disciplinary framework for handling harassment
- Recognize agency obligations for addressing harassing employee behavior
Date and Time
July 11, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by June 11): $145
- Standard Tuition (register June 12 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 11. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through June 11.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
The reasonable accommodation process has always been challenging and full of surprises. The past year alone has seen the introduction of a new reasonable accommodation requirement for pregnant employees and the Supreme Court’s decision changing the undue hardship definition for religious accommodations. Part of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series, this fast-paced webinar will provide you with the most current legal and practical guidance.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Stay up to date on changing requirements in the reasonable accommodation process.
- Broaden knowledge of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and how it relates to the Federal workplace.
- Decipher the new guidelines for employees who request an accommodation for religious purposes.
Date and Time
July 16, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Course Description
FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series returns in 2024 with new and updated material. We kick off the series with a webinar that lays the important groundwork necessary to understand how to successfully manage disability accommodation requests.
This 60-minute class offers and an overview of the current state of disability law and details how the ADA, ADAAA, and Rehabilitation Act apply to qualified Federal employees with disabilities. This overview will cover the legal steps required when an employee requests an accommodation, and the information the employee must provide in order to be granted an accommodation.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand the process for making disability determinations.
- Discuss what “qualified individual” actually means.
- Explain the purpose of the interactive process.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-July 18) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
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.
Instructor
Course Description
The second session in FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series builds on the first and focuses on the step that is critically important yet seemingly indescribable for many Federal supervisors, HR and EEO specialists, and program managers – the “interactive process.”
Reasonable accommodations should generally be determined after a discussion between the employee and the agency, through what is called “the interactive process.” This 60-minute webinar will tackle what you need to know about this process, when working with employees to determine a reasonable accommodation.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-July 25) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
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.
Instructor
Course Description
The third session in FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series focuses on one of the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities – telework. It turns out telework may also be one of the most effective accommodations, but it’s not for everybody.
This 60-minute webinar will dive into a discussion on recent and relevant Federal cases – won and lost – involving telework requests as reasonable accommodation. This course will explain the circumstances and that make telework “unique” among reasonable accommodation requests and prepare you to do the appropriate interactive discussion and analysis.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Recognize when an agency can legally deny telework as an accommodation.
- Determine what to do if telework would be an effective accommodation, but something else would work, too.
- Identify what the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-August 1) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Why do unions have the right to attend formal discussions? Why did Congress use the word “formal?” What does “formal” mean? What if the employee doesn’t want the union to attend the meeting? Is it better to just invite the union to every meeting? You have questions, questions, and more questions – and we have the answers in this finale of the Managing the Federal Workplace in 2024: Dos and Don’ts for Supervisors webinar series.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Better understand what makes a meeting “formal.”
- Decide when a union needs to be invited to a meeting.
- Determine what types of meetings the union does not have the right to attend.
Date and Time
August 6, 2024; 1 – 2 pm ET
Instructor
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Pricing
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 8): $145
- Standard Tuition (register March 9 or later): $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through March 8. Contact FELTG.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through March 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Instructor
Meghan Droste
Course Description
The reasonable accommodation process is full of pitfalls that could land your agency before an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administrative judge (AJ). The fourth session in FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series explains in detail when that happens – and you’ll hear it directly from an AJ.
In this 60-minute webinar, EEOC AJ Meghan Droste will share the embarrassing gaffes and challenging issues that she’s seen in her time as an EEOC AJ — and how to avoid them. Join us for an inside look at this stage of the EEO process.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Gain a better understanding of how hearings before an EEOC AJ work.
- Recognize potential mistakes in the accommodation process – before you make them.
- Identify the most challenging types of reasonable accommodation cases.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-August 8) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
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.
Instructor
Course Description
The fifth session in FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series focuses on a law that went into effect in 2023: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which requires agencies to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who are pregnant or have medical restrictions related to pregnancy or childbirth.
In this 60-minute webinar, you will learn answers to the following questions: What are your responsibilities under the PWFA? What are some examples of PWFA reasonable accommodations? What is the best way to prepare for the interactive process when discussing accommodations for pregnancy?
Attendees will learn how to:
- Identify potential accommodations for pregnant employees.
- Determine an appropriate length of time for a pregnancy-related accommodation.
- Understand how the EEOC will analyze charges regarding accommodations for
employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-August 15) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
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.
Instructor
Course Description
FELTG’s annual Reasonable Accommodation webinar series comes to a close with this 60-minute session on accommodations of the religious variety. There are significant distinctions between religious accommodations and those for individuals with disabilities and pregnancy. It’s important for you to understand those differences. A recent Supreme Court decision changed the undue hardship standard for religious accommodations, on the heels of increases in employee requests for accommodations for religion.
This 60-minute webinar will provide guidance as you handle accommodation requests involving religious clothing and headwear, grooming, religious displays in the workplace, and work schedules, among other things.
Attendees will learn how to:
- Define the term “undue hardship” and provide case examples.
- Determine whether the agency can provide an effective religious accommodation.
- Handle requests to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious
reasons.
1
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Price
- Early Bird Tuition: (payment by June 18) $145
- Standard Tuition: (payment made June 19-August 22) $195
- Rates per registrant.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts for 10 or more attendees are available through June 18. Contact FELTG.
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.