Calendar

FELTG Executive Director Deborah Hopkins instructing a class
Jun
13
Wed
Webinar – What You Need to Know about the New Executive Orders: A Discussion on Changes in the Accountability Processes and Federal Union Rights
Jun 13 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

The June 13 webinar is sold out. Register for the encore presentation JUNE 27.

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Unless you’ve just returned from a remote island with no connection to the rest of the world, you’ve probably heard about the new Executive Orders, issued May 25, that are purported to significantly change the civil service protections that have been in place for nearly four decades.

Some changes are small, but others radically alter the status quo. Now is the time for federal attorneys, HR and LER specialists, union reps, and federal supervisors, to tune in and see exactly what these changes will mean in your day-to-day life. Join FELTG President William Wiley and Executive Director Deborah Hopkins, attorneys at law, on June 13 for a 60-minute discussion about the most important takeaways from the new Executive Orders.

Topics include:

  • Changes in the performance opportunity period timeline
  • Modifications to Douglas, including comparator penalties
  • The undoing of progressive discipline
  • Restrictions on official time for union activity
  • What rights – if any – unions have any more

You won’t want to miss this important session. Register your site today.

Price

$225 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Jun
20
Wed
Webinar – Managing & Supporting the Employee with Bipolar Disorder
Jun 20 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Course Description

The word “bipolar” carries with it a stigma: that individuals with bipolar are dangerous, unstable, or unable to work. In reality, an estimated 2.8% of the U.S. population suffers from this diagnosis – so it’s not as uncommon as you might think.

There are a number of myths and misconceptions surrounding bipolar disorder, including the causes, the symptoms, the treatment, and the capabilities of individuals with bipolar disorder. In order to help employees be successful in the federal workplace, it’s important for agencies to develop a clear understanding about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, what to do (and what not to do) if someone is having an acute episode, and the day-to-day needs of individuals suffering from this diagnosis.

Join FELTG for this 60-minute webinar, where instructor Shana Palmieri, LCSW, will discuss:

  • An overview of Bipolar Disorder in the United States and in the workplace
  • A clinical overview of the signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder that indicate the need for professional intervention
  • Effective communication strategies with an employee in an acute manic or depressive episode
  • Practical & effective reasonable accommodations for an employee with bipolar disorder
  • Practical recommendations for handing a crisis in the workplace due to symptoms of bipolar disorder

The webinar will also include time for Q & A on these topics. This is a session you truly can’t afford to miss, so register your site today.

Price

$225 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Jun
27
Wed
Webinar – What You Need to Know about the New Executive Orders: A Discussion on Changes in the Accountability Processes and Federal Union Rights
Jun 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Unless you’ve just returned from a remote island with no connection to the rest of the world, you’ve probably heard about the new Executive Orders, issued May 25, that are purported to significantly change the civil service protections that have been in place for nearly four decades.

Some changes are small, but others radically alter the status quo. Now is the time for federal attorneys, HR and LER specialists, union reps, and federal supervisors, to tune in and see exactly what these changes will mean in your day-to-day life. Join FELTG President William Wiley, attorney at law, on June 27 for a 60-minute discussion about the most important takeaways from the new Executive Orders.

Topics include:

  • Changes in the performance opportunity period timeline
  • Modifications to Douglas, including comparator penalties
  • The undoing of progressive discipline
  • Restrictions on official time for union activity
  • What rights – if any – unions have any more

You won’t want to miss this important session. Register your site today.

Price

$225 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Jul
12
Thu
Webinar – Understanding MD-715: An Effective Approach to Barrier Analysis
Jul 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

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Instructor

Ricky Rowe

Course Description

 1.5

According to the EEOC, Management Directive 715 “provides a roadmap for creating effective equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs for all federal employees as required by Title VII and the Rehabilitation Act.” MD-715 comes with a list of reporting requirements. While these requirement are mandatory, not all agencies are fully compliant with MD-715.

This is where FELTG comes in. Join us July 12 where instructor Ricky Rowe – who handled the MD-715 program for the Department of Veterans Affairs for several years – explains everything you need to know to report appropriately, and to develop a model EEO program. After an introduction and explanation of the relevant parts of MD-715, he’ll discuss:

  • Appropriate formatting
  • Levels of reporting required
  • How subordinate reporting components fit into the scheme of overall reporting
  • The necessary steps to complete an effective barrier analysis
  • Strategies for improving diversity in your agency

As always, this session is held live and gives you a chance to ask your questions, and get immediate answers. Space is limited, so register your site today!

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis

Jul
19
Thu
Webinar – Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities: The Law, the Challenges, and Solutions for Agencies
Jul 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1.5

One of the most important – and challenging – areas in federal employment law is the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. While the law changed nearly ten years ago with the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, a number of agencies are still following outdated procedures that are not compliant with the law. Because there are so many complexities in the reasonable accommodation process, the best way for your agency to avoid pitfalls and to be sure you provide accommodations to people who are entitled is to follow the appropriate steps, in the proper order.

Join FELTG Executive Director and Attorney at Law Deborah Hopkins for Part 1 of the four-part Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace Series. Ms Hopkins will begin by explaining the current state of disability law and how the ADA, ADAAA, and Rehabilitation Act apply to federal employees with disabilities. From there, she’ll discuss:

  • Making disability determinations
  • What a “qualified individual” actually means
  • Reasonable accommodation requests
  • The interactive process
  • Denials of reasonable accommodation
  • Reassignment and Medical Inability to Perform removals

Whether you’re an attorney, disability program manager, EEO or HR Specialist or a supervisor, you’ll want to be sure to attend this session.

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, if space is available.

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Jul 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Meghan Droste

Course Description

FELTG proudly presents this four-part series on reasonable accommodation in the federal workplace.

Click on any event for a full description.

 6 (1.5 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation: The Law, the Challenges, & Solutions for Agencies (July 19)

Session 2: Reasonable Accommodation: A Focus on Qualified Individuals, Essential Functions, & Undue Hardship (July 26)

Session 3: Telework and Flexible Work Schedules as Reasonable Accommodation (August 2)

Session 4: Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation (August 9)

Price

  • $270 per site, per session.
  • Series discount: Register for all four webinars by July 13 and pay only $990!

  • Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each teleworker, each webinar, on a space-available basis.
Jul
26
Thu
Webinar – Reasonable Accommodation: A Focus on Qualified Individuals, Essential Functions, and Undue Hardship
Jul 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Katherine Atkinson

Course Description

 1.5

When the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act became effective nearly a decade ago, the law expanded ADA coverage to include more individuals in disability determinations. In Part 2 of the Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series, FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson, attorney at law, will take a focused look at three challenging areas in the disability process that have changed in recent years: qualified individuals, essential functions, and undue hardship.

After an overview of the disability accommodation law and analysis, Ms Atkinson will dive into the details, including:

  • How to determine whether an individual is qualified for a particular job
  • How to decide what job functions are essential, and what job functions are marginal or ancillary
  • What factors control an undue hardship determination

You’ll have time to ask your questions, and get answers in real time, so make plans now to attend this important event.

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, if space is available.

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Jul 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Meghan Droste

Course Description

FELTG proudly presents this four-part series on reasonable accommodation in the federal workplace.

Click on any event for a full description.

 6 (1.5 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation: The Law, the Challenges, & Solutions for Agencies (July 19)

Session 2: Reasonable Accommodation: A Focus on Qualified Individuals, Essential Functions, & Undue Hardship (July 26)

Session 3: Telework and Flexible Work Schedules as Reasonable Accommodation (August 2)

Session 4: Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation (August 9)

Price

  • $270 per site, per session.
  • Series discount: Register for all four webinars by July 13 and pay only $990!

  • Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each teleworker, each webinar, on a space-available basis.
Aug
2
Thu
Webinar – Telework and Flexible Work Schedules as Reasonable Accommodation
Aug 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1.5

The law requires federal agencies to engage in the interactive process when assessing reasonable accommodations for employees who have disabilities. In 2018, telework and modified work schedules are among the most commonly requested – and most effective – accommodations for individuals who have physical and mental disabilities. But telework is often requested in cases where the “convenience” of working from home is called in to question. What should you do in those situations?

Join FELTG Executive Director and Attorney at Law Deborah Hopkins for a discussion on this timely topic during Part 3 of the Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series. Ms Hopkins will start with a quick review of the law, and will detail the required three-step process for agencies to be compliant when dealing with reasonable accommodation requests.

From there, she’ll discuss:

  • What to do if telework would be an effective accommodation – but something else would work too
  • Why accommodations are always the agency’s choice
  • Alternative approaches to providing telework, leave and modified work schedules as accommodation
  • The undue hardship analysis
  • What the EEOC says about accommodating an employee’s commute

Oftentimes 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 and 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.

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, if space is available.

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Aug 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Meghan Droste

Course Description

FELTG proudly presents this four-part series on reasonable accommodation in the federal workplace.

Click on any event for a full description.

 6 (1.5 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation: The Law, the Challenges, & Solutions for Agencies (July 19)

Session 2: Reasonable Accommodation: A Focus on Qualified Individuals, Essential Functions, & Undue Hardship (July 26)

Session 3: Telework and Flexible Work Schedules as Reasonable Accommodation (August 2)

Session 4: Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation (August 9)

Price

  • $270 per site, per session.
  • Series discount: Register for all four webinars by July 13 and pay only $990!

  • Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each teleworker, each webinar, on a space-available basis.
Aug
9
Thu
Webinar – Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation
Aug 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

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? Not everyone realizes this; in 2017 a company in West Virginia was ordered to pay out damages of nearly $600,000 for not taking an employee’s religious accommodation request seriously.

The law requiring religious accommodation is different than the law for disability accommodation, and it’s important you know the distinctions. Join FELTG for the final session in the Four-Part Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace webinar series, where Attorney at Law Meghan Droste helps in your goal of Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation.

After a review of the relevant law and regulations law that pertain to religious accommodation, Ms Droste will discuss:

  • What religions qualify for accommodation
  • The definition of “undue hardship” and case examples
  • The most common accommodations for religion
  • Issues related to dress code and grooming
  • What to do when employees request to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons

Whether you’re an attorney, EEO program specialist, HR specialist or manager, you’ll want to be sure to join us for this important session.

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, if space is available.

Webinar Series – Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace
Aug 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Katherine Atkinson, Meghan Droste

Course Description

FELTG proudly presents this four-part series on reasonable accommodation in the federal workplace.

Click on any event for a full description.

 6 (1.5 per webinar)

Session 1: Reasonable Accommodation: The Law, the Challenges, & Solutions for Agencies (July 19)

Session 2: Reasonable Accommodation: A Focus on Qualified Individuals, Essential Functions, & Undue Hardship (July 26)

Session 3: Telework and Flexible Work Schedules as Reasonable Accommodation (August 2)

Session 4: Understanding Religious Accommodation: How it’s Different from Disability Accommodation (August 9)

Price

  • $270 per site, per session.
  • Series discount: Register for all four webinars by July 13 and pay only $990!

  • Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each teleworker, each webinar, on a space-available basis.
Aug
30
Thu
Webinar – Threats of Violence in the Workplace: Assessing Risk and Taking Action
Aug 30 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Course Description

We see it every single week – a disgruntled employee, customer, or someone who is upset with an employee goes in to a workplace with a weapon, and kills innocent people. What should you do if someone threatens violence in your federal agency? How can you best prepare yourself to protect the lives of those around you? Are there risk factors that might give you an indication of when someone will become violent?

This topic is too important to ignore, so join FELTG for the webinar Threats of Violence in the Workplace: Assessing Risk and Taking Action. This program will be instructed by Shana Palmieri, FELTG instructor and LCSW who specializes in mental health and handled the psychiatric aftermath of the Navy Yard shooting in 2013.

The session is focused on the practical issues that agencies encounter when dealing with an employee whose behavior poses a risk to workplace safety. Discussion points include:

  • Warning signs that violence may be imminent, and dynamic risk and protective factors for workplace targeted violence
  • Equipping Threat Management Teams to respond to threats or violent acts
  • Understanding the behavioral health issues that contribute to violent behavior – and those that don’t
  • Preparing for domestic or intimate partner violence and its interplay with the federal workplace

The webinar will also include time for Q & A on these topics. This is a session you truly can’t afford to miss, so register your site today.

Price

$225 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Sep
17
Mon
Webinar – The Court Speaks: How a District Court Decision Impacts the May 25 Executive Orders
Sep 17 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

William Wiley

Course Description

You’ve probably heard about the new Executive Orders, issued May 25, that significantly changed the civil service protections that have been in place for nearly four decades. You’ve probably also heard about the federal court decision on August 24, issued by D.C. District Court Judge Ketanji Jackson, that declared several provisions of those Executive Orders to be invalid.

So, as of today, what exactly are agencies and unions required to do under these Executive Orders, and what are they no longer allowed to do? The times are changing so fast, it can be a real challenge to keep up with the world of federal employment and labor law. But don’t worry, FELTG is here to help. Join William Wiley, attorney at law, on September 17 for a 60-minute discussion about the most important takeaways from this 120+ page legal decision.

Topics include:

  • What the court said about agencies imposing a 25 percent cap on the use of official time, and the status of taxpayer-funded union time
  • Whether agencies are allowed to charge union to rent space and equipment
  • Whether union employees are allowed to take performance ratings or removals before an arbitrator
  • Whether the court agreed that 30-day PIPs can be imposed on all agency employees
  • The brand-new, never-seen-before requirement for “flexibility” in bargaining
  • And much more!

You won’t want to miss this session. Register your site today.

Price

$225 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Oct
4
Thu
Webinar – Managing the Suicidal Employee in the Federal Workplace
Oct 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Shana Palmieri

Course Description

  • Did you know there were 291 suicides in the workplace in 2016?
  • Did you know that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, and killed over 45,000 people in 2016?
  • Did you know that over the past 10 years there has been a 35% increase in the suicide rate in the U.S.?

As the suicide rates rise, the impact is becoming more severe on the workplace; learning how to correctly manage an employee’s suicidal crisis and ideations is increasingly important. Knowing what to do, and when, might save an employee’s life.

It is pertinent for federal agencies to have an understanding of the signs and symptoms an employee may demonstrate that indicates the need for professional help if that employee is suffering with suicidal thoughts.

Join FELTG for this webinar, where instructor Shana Palmieri, LCSW, will discuss:

  • An overview of suicide and suicidal ideation in the United States and in the workplace
  • A clinical overview of the signs and symptoms of suicide that indicate the need for professional intervention
  • Effective communication strategies for talking about suicide with employees
  • Practical recommendations for handing a suicidal crisis in the workplace

The webinar will also include time for Q & A on these topics. This is a session you truly can’t afford to miss, so register your site today.

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Oct
25
Thu
Webinar – Think Before You Ask: Medical Exams & Inquiries and Medical Documentation Requests in the Federal Government
Oct 25 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

Have you ever opened up a file to look at an employee’s discipline history, only to come across medical information that may or may not be related to the conduct at issue?

Do you know who in your agency is responsible for collecting medical information from healthcare providers in reasonable accommodation cases?

How much information should supervisors be told about their employees’ health conditions?

These are tough questions, and knowing the answers will help ensure you comply with the strict laws on requesting and storing medical documentation in the federal workplace. Join FELTG instructor Meghan Droste, attorney at law, for this 90-minute webinar on a topic we deal with in both the HR and EEO setting. After a brief discussion on applicable law, Ms Droste will cover:

  • How the ADAAA and GINA impact the collection of medical information,
  • Pre- and post-employment medical exams and inquiries,
  • Conditional employment offers and related medical information,
  • Who should gather the information – and who should not, and
  • How much detail supervisors need in medical accommodation cases.

This is an area where innocent release of medical information can be expensive – and is an automatic loser even if there was no harm done to the employee. Register now!

Price

$270 per site.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Nov
8
Thu
Webinar – Significant Federal Sector Updates: Recent Cases and Developments from the EEOC, FLRA and MSPB
Nov 8 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

William Wiley, Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1

It’s that time of year again! And boy, do we have some new material, with the new executive orders on accountability and labor relations, plus several much-anticipated FLRA decisions bringing clarity to questions we’ve had for years.

Twice a year we update you with what’s new from the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA, and this one looks to be better than ever.

Join FELTG attorneys William Wiley and Deborah Hopkins as they combine forces for a fast-paced discussion on the most surprising, significant and groundbreaking recent decisions and trends from the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA. If you’ve attended a past edition, you know this is not your standard [“boring”] case law update, but an editorial discussion that not only informs you about current cases, but explains how they impact your daily work whether you’re a lawyer, or an HR, ER, LR or EEO practitioner.

Bill and Deb will share where we’ve been and where we’re headed with the trends and regulations that influence your workplace and the way issues are litigated in your agency or union. Plus, ask your questions and get answers in real time.

We’d love to tell you now about the cases and regulations that will be discussed, but that’s entirely up to the MSPB, EEOC and FLRA. Stay tuned!

Price

$270 per site

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Nov
15
Thu
Webinar – Sex Discrimination in the Federal Government: Gender Identity, LGBTQI Status, and Sexual Orientation Cases
Nov 15 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

There’s a lot of discussion these days about whether or not employees can legally be fired for being LGBTQ+. In fact, the EEOC says sexual orientation and gender identity is protected under Title VII, but the DoJ says just the opposite. It’s quite a conflict between two relatively independent federal agencies, so what does it all mean for the federal workforce?

Join FELTG instructor Meghan Droste, an experienced LGBTQ and Gender Issues Practice Group team lead, for this 90-minute webinar that explains the latest information on the state of sexual orientation and gender identity protections in the federal workplace.

After a brief discussion on applicable law and the theories of discrimination, Ms Droste will cover:

  • Important definitions in 2018
  • The latest on sexual orientation protection under Title VII, and the current federal circuit split
  • Transgender status and legal protections
  • Gender stereotyping claims and same-sex harassment
  • Best practices for agencies to follow

The law has been evolving for quite some time, and with a circuit split it’s crucial to understand where things are – today. Register now!

Price

$270 per site.

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $25 each, on a space-available basis.

Jan
23
Wed
Webinar Series – Too Sick to Work: Absence Due to Illness
Jan 23 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

Absence due to illness has changed the landscape in dealing with federal workplace issues.  Problems arise when employees are absent – let alone the huge amounts of leave entitlements tied to family member medical conditions.

Administering sick leave can be complicated, and proper documentation is critical.  The Family & Medical Leave Act adds an additional layer of complexity to these illness-related absences.  When can you require medical examinations? When can you take action on excessive absences?

If you need more information on absence related to illness so you are able to answer those tough questions on sick leave and FMLA – or if you want to ensure that the adverse action case you assemble will withstand the scrutiny of the MSPB – then this webinar series is custom-made for you.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, Ms. Haga is  staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the most up-to-date information they need to know.

Join instructor Barbara Haga for any or all of the sessions as she guides you through these thorny issues.

  • Session 1 – Sick Leave, Part I (1/23)
    • Earning and accumulation
    • Authorized uses of sick leave
    • Family care sick leave – documentation and limits
    • Advance sick leave
  • Session 2 – Sick Leave, Part II  (2/6)
    • Notice requirements
    • Definition of “serious health condition”
    • Substitution of paid leave for FMLA LWOP
    • Medical certification – what is required and what needs to be in it
    • Sick leave abuse
    • Medical examinations
    • Taking action on sick leave-related absences
  • Session 3 – Understanding FMLA (2/20)
    • Basic entitlement
    • Notice requirements
    • FMLA Medical certification requirements
    • Discipline and FMLA – excessive absence, falsified information, failure to comply with notice requirements, last chance agreements

You’ll have the chance to ask your questions, and get them answered in real time, during each of these 90-minute sessions.  Register your site today.

Price

$275 per webinar per site. Register for all three by 1/17 for only $795.

Add a teleworker for only $35 per webinar, in addition to a main site registration, if space permits.

Feb
6
Wed
Webinar Series – Too Sick to Work: Absence Due to Illness
Feb 6 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

Absence due to illness has changed the landscape in dealing with federal workplace issues.  Problems arise when employees are absent – let alone the huge amounts of leave entitlements tied to family member medical conditions.

Administering sick leave can be complicated, and proper documentation is critical.  The Family & Medical Leave Act adds an additional layer of complexity to these illness-related absences.  When can you require medical examinations? When can you take action on excessive absences?

If you need more information on absence related to illness so you are able to answer those tough questions on sick leave and FMLA – or if you want to ensure that the adverse action case you assemble will withstand the scrutiny of the MSPB – then this webinar series is custom-made for you.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, Ms. Haga is  staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the most up-to-date information they need to know.

Join instructor Barbara Haga for any or all of the sessions as she guides you through these thorny issues.

  • Session 1 – Sick Leave, Part I (1/23)
    • Earning and accumulation
    • Authorized uses of sick leave
    • Family care sick leave – documentation and limits
    • Advance sick leave
  • Session 2 – Sick Leave, Part II  (2/6)
    • Notice requirements
    • Definition of “serious health condition”
    • Substitution of paid leave for FMLA LWOP
    • Medical certification – what is required and what needs to be in it
    • Sick leave abuse
    • Medical examinations
    • Taking action on sick leave-related absences
  • Session 3 – Understanding FMLA (2/20)
    • Basic entitlement
    • Notice requirements
    • FMLA Medical certification requirements
    • Discipline and FMLA – excessive absence, falsified information, failure to comply with notice requirements, last chance agreements

You’ll have the chance to ask your questions, and get them answered in real time, during each of these 90-minute sessions.  Register your site today.

Price

$275 per webinar per site. Register for all three by 1/17 for only $795.

Add a teleworker for only $35 per webinar, in addition to a main site registration, if space permits.

Feb
20
Wed
Webinar Series – Too Sick to Work: Absence Due to Illness
Feb 20 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Barbara Haga

Course Description

Absence due to illness has changed the landscape in dealing with federal workplace issues.  Problems arise when employees are absent – let alone the huge amounts of leave entitlements tied to family member medical conditions.

Administering sick leave can be complicated, and proper documentation is critical.  The Family & Medical Leave Act adds an additional layer of complexity to these illness-related absences.  When can you require medical examinations? When can you take action on excessive absences?

If you need more information on absence related to illness so you are able to answer those tough questions on sick leave and FMLA – or if you want to ensure that the adverse action case you assemble will withstand the scrutiny of the MSPB – then this webinar series is custom-made for you.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, Ms. Haga is  staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the most up-to-date information they need to know.

Join instructor Barbara Haga for any or all of the sessions as she guides you through these thorny issues.

  • Session 1 – Sick Leave, Part I (1/23)
    • Earning and accumulation
    • Authorized uses of sick leave
    • Family care sick leave – documentation and limits
    • Advance sick leave
  • Session 2 – Sick Leave, Part II  (2/6)
    • Notice requirements
    • Definition of “serious health condition”
    • Substitution of paid leave for FMLA LWOP
    • Medical certification – what is required and what needs to be in it
    • Sick leave abuse
    • Medical examinations
    • Taking action on sick leave-related absences
  • Session 3 – Understanding FMLA (2/20)
    • Basic entitlement
    • Notice requirements
    • FMLA Medical certification requirements
    • Discipline and FMLA – excessive absence, falsified information, failure to comply with notice requirements, last chance agreements

You’ll have the chance to ask your questions, and get them answered in real time, during each of these 90-minute sessions.  Register your site today.

Price

$275 per webinar per site. Register for all three by 1/17 for only $795.

Add a teleworker for only $35 per webinar, in addition to a main site registration, if space permits.

Mar
7
Thu
Webinar – Writing Effective Summary Judgment Motions for the EEOC
Mar 7 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

Effective writing directly impacts whether you win or lose a case before the EEOC. One of the most powerful tools to use in EEO complaints is the Motion for Summary Judgment. Join attorney at law Meghan Droste as she spends 90 minutes taking you through the best practices you need to draft a strong motion that will withstand even the harshest scrutiny.

After setting out the basics on summary judgment procedures and standards, Ms. Droste will show you how to:

  • Organize for the motion
  • Draft the motion using IRAC (and explain why IRAC isn’t just for law school exams)
  • Edit your work

Participants will also deconstruct segments from sample summary judgment motions, and will learn how to spot strengths and weaknesses throughout the writing process. Whether you’ve been an attorney for years, or you’ve never been to law school, this is a session EEO practitioners won’t want to miss. Register your site today.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (registration submitted by February 25)                                                                            Standard Tuition: $305 per site (registration submitted February 26 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

Mar
26
Tue
Webinar – Aging and Cognition: The Graying of the Civil Service
Mar 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

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Instructors

Jennifer Johnson, George Woods

Course Description

Not only can federal employees work past official retirement age, they often have to work longer. This is helping create a federal workforce with more generations working side-by-side than ever before. What does this older generation of employees mean for federal supervisors and those who advise them? This is your opportunity to find out. This 90-minute webinar is a must for attorneys, supervisors, and labor and HR specialists who handle management issues. Attorney Jennifer Johnson and Psychiatrist George Woods will lay out in detail how people change as they age, and the management approaches you may need to adopt as a result. Those who attend this timely webinar will learn how to prioritize the value of older employees’ expertise and experience, as well as make effective accommodations for them to succeed without discriminating against anyone due to age.

Attendees will also learn how to:

  • Identify the biological changes that impact functioning.
  • Understand the structural and neurocognitive changes that impact brain functioning.
  • Eliminate the barriers that keep people from confronting the issue of aging.

Don’t just wait for your older employees to retire. Learn how to maximize their strengths for a more focused and productive workplace.

Price

$275 per site (payment by March 16)                                                                                                                                  $305 per site (payments made March 17 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

May
16
Thu
Webinar – What to Do and What Not to Do in the EEO Process
May 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

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Instructor

Dwight Lewis

Course Description

 1.5

The EEO process can be challenging for even the most experienced practitioners. If only there was someone with close to 35 years of experience as an EEOC administrative judge who has seen numerous agency mistakes who was willing to take the time to explain what you can do to avoid them.

Now there is. Meet Dwight Lewis, who recently retired as chief administrative judge in the Dallas region – a post he held since 1990. Mr. Lewis will guide you through the Dos and Don’ts of the EEO process from effectively framing an EEO complaint to avoiding sanctions.

Join FELTG for this 90-minute webinar, where Mr. Lewis will discuss appropriate etiquette when interacting with a judge. He’ll also help you learn how to:

  • Determine which complaints should be investigated, and which should be dismissed.
  • Avoid retaliation claims.
  • Get past your resistance to settle.

The webinar will also include time for Q&A on these topics. Don’t miss this important opportunity to learn from the highly respected former Chief AJ. Register now.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (registration submitted by May 6)                                                                                Standard Tuition: $305 per site (registration submitted May 7 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

Jun
13
Thu
Webinar – 50 Shades of Reprisal: Whistleblower, EEO, Union & Veteran Reprisal
Jun 13 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

Reprisal is a term that gets used a lot, but did you know that it has different definitions in different cases? If you join FELTG President Deborah Hopkins during this 90-minute webinar to find out exactly where the differences lie, you just might save your agency from losing a reprisal case.

During this interactive discussion, Ms. Hopkins will explain the legal background on the various forms of reprisal and why it’s such an important area of focus in federal employee statutory protection. From there, she will talk about:

  • Whistleblower reprisal: the standards, burden of proof, and actions that constitute reprisal
  • The many forms of EEO reprisal and why it’s the most common category in discrimination findings
  • Reprisal for union activity, including what type of activity falls outside the bounds of coverage
  • What is legal and not legal when considering someone’s veteran status in making employment-related decisions
  • The distinction between reprisal and retaliation

This is an event you won’t want to miss, whether you’re an attorney, LER specialist, EEO specialist, union official or supervisor. We hope you’ll join us.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (registration submitted by June 3)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (registration submitted June 4 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, on a space-available basis.

Jun
27
Thu
Webinar – Employee Sexual Misconduct: Discipline Early to Make Your Agency a Safer Place
Jun 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Course Description

 1.5

In 2017, an MSPB survey revealed that more than 20 percent of female federal employees were sexually harassed in the workplace between 2014 and 2016. There has been a lot of talk about the need for training on this important topic. But now it’s time for action.

Let FELTG help you take that action. Join us for the 90-minute webinar Employee Sexual Misconduct: Discipline Early to Make Your Agency a Safer Place. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins, attorney at law, will show you how to address sexual harassment in the federal government as MISCONDUCT — not just as an EEO issue.

We’ll discuss the foundational law and how sexual harassment cases come to be, but our emphasis will be on STOPPING it from happening by addressing the misconduct before it becomes a problem. Case examples will show you the best ways to handle inappropriate sexual conduct from employees and supervisors – and things to avoid. We hope you’ll be able to attend this important discussion.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by June 17)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made June 18 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Sep
5
Thu
Webinar – Sex Discrimination, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Protections in the Federal Workplace
Sep 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Meghan Droste

Course Description

 1.5

The law regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace continues to evolve, but not in a way that makes the law clear. For example: The EEOC says sexual orientation and gender identity are protected under Title VII. The Department of Justice says just the opposite. There is the federal circuit split on the issue. And in October 2019, the Supreme Court will finally consider the issue.

It may be confusing, but you don’t have to be confused. In this 90-minute webinar, FELTG instructor Meghan Droste, attorney at law and experienced LGBTQ and Gender Issues Practice Group team lead, will explain where the law stands now. She will provide the latest information on protections under the law, define the terminology, and explain gender stereotyping as sex discrimination.

Attendees will also learn about:

  • Transgender status and legal protections
  • Identify the actions that have gotten agencies into legal trouble
  • Cases involving LGBTQ status and religion
  • The best practices for agencies to follow

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by August 26)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made August 27 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Sep
26
Thu
Webinar – Suicidal Employees in the Federal Workplace: Your Actions Can Save a Life
Sep 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Shana Palmieri

Course Description

In 2016, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death overall in the United States, killing more than 44,000 people. And 291 of those suicides took place in the workplace.

As suicide rates continue to rise, the impact is becoming more severe on the workplace. Join Shana Palmieri, LCSW for this 90-minute webinar as she discusses the behavior health disorders that lead to suicide risk, provides an overview of suicide and suicidal ideation in the United States and in the workplace, and shares real answers on what you can do and when to save an employee’s life.

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Identify the signs and symptoms of suicide that indicate the need for professional intervention
  • Effectively communicate to employees about suicide
  • Handle a suicidal crisis in the workplace

The webinar will also include time for Q & A on these topics. This is a session you truly can’t afford to miss, so register your site today.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by September 16)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made September 17 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

Oct
16
Wed
Webinar Series – Absence Due to Illness: Tackling Challenges with Sick Leave and FMLA
Oct 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

William Wiley, Barbara Haga

Course Description

Absence due to illness has changed the landscape in dealing with federal workplace issues.  Problems arise when employees are absent – let alone the huge amounts of leave entitlements tied to family member medical conditions.

Administering sick leave can be complicated, and proper documentation is critical.  The Family & Medical Leave Act adds an additional layer of complexity to these illness-related absences.  When can you require medical examinations? When can you take action on excessive absences?

If you need more information on absence related to illness so you are able to answer those tough questions on sick leave and FMLA – or if you want to ensure that the adverse action case you assemble will withstand the scrutiny of the MSPB – then this webinar series is custom-made for you.

While the near future of the Merit Systems Protection Board remains uncertain, FELTG is staying on top of the situation and will provide attendees with the most up-to-date information they need to know.

Instructors Deborah Hopkins, William Wiley, and Barbara Haga will guide you through these thorny issues. Register for any or all of the sessions.

  • Session 1 – Sick Leave, Part I (October 16)
    • Earning and accumulation
    • Authorized uses of sick leave
    • Family care sick leave – documentation and limits
    • Advance sick leave
  • Session 2 – Sick Leave, Part II  (October 30)
    • Notice requirements
    • Definition of “serious health condition”
    • Substitution of paid leave for FMLA LWOP
    • Medical certification – what is required and what needs to be in it
    • Sick leave abuse
    • Medical examinations
    • Taking action on sick leave-related absences
  • Session 3 – Understanding FMLA (November 13)
    • Basic entitlement
    • Notice requirements
    • FMLA Medical certification requirements
    • Discipline and FMLA – excessive absence, falsified information, failure to comply with notice requirements, last chance agreements

You’ll have the chance to ask your questions, and get them answered in real time, during each of these 90-minute sessions.  Register your site today.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per webinar per site (registration submitted by October 7)

Standard Tuition: $305 per webinar per site (registration submitted October 8 or later)

Register for all three webinars by October 7 and pay only $795.

Add a teleworker for $35 per webinar, in addition to a main site registration, if space permits.

 

Oct
24
Thu
Webinar – Discipline Alternatives: Thinking Outside the Adverse Action
Oct 24 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Download Registration Form

Instructor

Ann Boehm

Course Description

The Douglas factors require agencies to consider alternative sanctions, but what exactly are alternatives to discipline? How do they work? Does anyone even know where to start an alternative to discipline?

FELTG instructor Ann Boehm does. In this 90-minute webinar, she will show you how how to think outside the box in certain disciplinary situations. For example, the last thing you want to do to someone who is AWOL is suspend them — they already are not coming to work. Instead, we can show you how to give a reprimand in lieu of suspension. The goal of discipline is to rehabilitate, and in certain circumstances, alternative sanctions are very effective in that regard.

Attendees will:

  • Learn the legal requirements that form the foundation of disciplinary actions.
  • Identify several alternatives to adverse actions.
  • Understand the benefits of a reprimand in lieu of a suspension.

Price

Early Bird Tuition: $275 per site (payment required by October 14)

Standard Tuition: $305 per site (for payments made October 15 or later)

Teleworkers may be added to a main site registration for $35 each, if space is available.

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