Calendar

Download Individual Registration Form

Event Description

These are challenging times for the federal workforce. Over three days, the FELTG Virtual Training Institute will broadcast nine live instructor-led sessions, aimed at providing you with the latest legal and practical guidance to meet these current challenges.

Renew your efforts to hold employees accountable for performance and conduct. Review your responsibilities regarding leave, reasonable accommodation, investigating harassment, and preventing discrimination in the workplace. Stay current on case law. Learn strategies for managing teleworkers – and for managing your own stress and handling employee stress during these trying times. And much more.

There’s no need to feel isolated – even if you’re working alone at home. The open enrollment FELTG Virtual Training Institute’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law program offers opportunities to ask questions of FELTG’s experienced instructors, and get answers in real time. Plus, we’ll provide a forum for participants to get in touch and discuss the issues after the sessions are over.

You can register for any of the sessions individually. You can register for a whole day. Or you can register for the whole program. Earn CLE credits and EEO refresher training credits. Three days. Nine sessions. Eight instructors. We’d love to have you join us.

Download Individual Registration Form

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Performance, Conduct and Legal Updates

Session 1

10:30 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Accountability for Conduct: Taking Defensible Disciplinary Actions

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

Course Description: This session begins with a discussion on the foundation of supervisory authority, and it will clarify the too-common misconceptions that prevent federal agencies from taking successful misconduct actions against employees. Attendees will learn the five elements that must be present in a disciplinary case, with a special focus on penalty justification and due process requirements. Attendees will leave with the guidance necessary to take defensible actions quickly and fairly – and to ensure that those actions will withstand scrutiny on appeal by the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration. Earn 1.5 CLE credits.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the legal definition of discipline, and which corrective actions are not discipline under the law.
• Identify the legal elements required in every disciplinary case, and the standard of proof to take a defensible action.
• Use the Douglas Factors in penalty determination.

Session 2

1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT

Unacceptable Performance: Streamlining the Procedures

Presented by William Wiley, Attorney at Law, FELTG Past President

Course Description: When it comes to poor performance, the one action you can’t afford to take is not taking action. Yet, when you do take a performance-based action, there are limitless mistakes that can trip you up and result in lost appeals. During this session, Bill Wiley shares the tools you need to confidently and effectively address poor performance, including initiating a performance demonstration period/PIP, the evidence and documentation needed to justify a performance-based action, and a secret trick on removing an employee for poor performance without using a demonstration period/PIP. After this session, attendees will have the tools necessary to remove an unacceptable performer in 31 days. Earn 1.5 CLE credits.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize the standards of proof needed for a performance-based action.
• Implement recent Executive Orders and OPM guidance into your performance procedures.
• Successfully take a defensible performance-based action.

Session 3

3:00 – 4:30 pm EDT 

Federal Employment Law Update: Recent Developments at the EEOC, FLRA and MSPB

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course Description: In the world of federal employment law, things can change quickly; there has been more action in the past three years than in the last 35 years before. Join FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm for a review of the most recent and relevant cases, regulations, studies and reports from the EEOC, FLRA and MSPB, plus information from OPM and the Office of Special Counsel. She will also cover the very latest on Executive Orders 13836, 13836, 13837 and 13839. Attendees will leave with knowledge of recent developments and with an in-depth analysis of the current employment law climate and its impact on the federal workplace. Earn 1.5 CLE credits.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the most critical recent decisions from the EEOC and FLRA.
• Explain the status and impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders regarding the federal workplace.
• Understand the current status of the MSPB and how the lack of quorum impacts agency actions and appeals.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Managing and Advising During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Session 4

10:30 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Handling Current Leave Challenges in the Federal Workplace

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor

Course description: Barbara Haga will review some of the most pressing issues involving leave, including tough questions related to FMLA and sick leave, the paid family leave provisions expected to go into effect in October, and the flexibilities related to leave tied to the COVID-19 pandemic including weather and safety leave. Attendees will come away with an array of knowledge for handling the leave issues they’re likely to face in the coming weeks and months, and will be equipped for a successful return to more normal operations in the future.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Apply weather and safety leave standards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Identify the provisions of the new paid family leave, and which employees are affected.
• Manage requests for sick leave and FMLA, from near and far.

Session 5

1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT

Managing a Mobile Workforce: Tools for Accountability

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

Course description: One of the biggest challenges facing agencies during this COVID-19 Pandemic is that so much of the workforce is no longer in the workplace. How do you handle performance issues? What about conduct? Are work expectations lowered or amended when people telework in emergency situations? What are the pitfalls or best practices for managing employees from afar? Using anecdotes from her decade of experience managing a remote workforce, FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will provide the answers and share exclusive tips you shouldn’t miss. Earn 1.5 CLE credits

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Communicate expectations to employees who are new to telework.
• Conduct a performance demonstration period while an employee is working remotely.
• Identify the telework performance pitfalls for employees and supervisors.

Session 6

3:00 – 4:30 pm EDT

Strategies for Stress: Effectively Coping in a COVID-19 World

Presented by Shana Palmieri, LCSW, FELTG Instructor

Course description: The COVID-19 pandemic has required all of us to make major lifestyle changes, whether you’re in the office or working from home. Our lives have quickly been altered, creating varying levels of anxiety and uncertainty. Change, stress and social isolation can significantly impact your health and job performance. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Shana Palmieri will guide you through how to manage change and stress for yourself and your employees so you can continue to focus on your agency’s mission – from wherever you happen to be working.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Manage workforce disruptions to successfully stay focused on work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Cope with social distancing and social isolation.
• Recognize and manage stress levels that, when unaddressed, impact your work performance and overall wellness.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

EEO Challenges in the Federal Workplace

Session 7

10:30 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Preventing and Correcting Discrimination: A Focus on Race, Color, and National Origin

Presented by Ricky Rowe, Former National EEO Manager/Veterans Affairs, FELTG Instructor

Course description: During stressful times, there is often a desire to find something, or someone, to blame. In some cases, employees perceive a conflict with agency management to be motivated by an illegal reason. And every now and then, an agency official engages in unlawful discrimination, and then the agency has a responsibility to make amends with the employee. FELTG Instructor Ricky Rowe will use his 38 years of federal sector EEO and HR experience to address these scenarios with a review of relevant EEOC decisions involving employee race, color and national origin, and will share timely and critical information to ensure that your workplace is safe and inclusive for all. Earn 1.5 EEO refresher training hours by attending this session.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the discrimination theories where race, color and national origin could form the basis of a complaint.
• Recognize and immediately address instances of race, color, and national origin discrimination in the workplace.
• Determine when language-restrictive policies are discriminatory – and when they are permitted.

Session 8

1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT

Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course description: If there’s one topic on every agency’s front burner, it’s harassment. FELTG Instructor Katherine Atkinson will explain the differences between EEO and non-EEO harassment, and the critical steps that agencies should take when investigating misconduct. An incomplete investigation could cost you the case, so it’s imperative to understand the requirements for a legally sufficient harassment investigation. Attendees will leave with useful guidance and practical tools to help them complete an effective and thorough investigation. Earn 1.5 EEO refresher training hours by attending this session. Earn 1.5 CLE credits.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Address the issue of harassment as misconduct, not just an EEO issue.
• Identify the numerous forms that harassment takes.
• Interview all relevant parties in a harassment investigation: the complainant, the accused, and material witnesses.

Session 9

3:00 – 4:30 pm EDT

Reasonable Accommodation in the Federal Workplace: Challenges and Solutions for 2020

Presented by Meghan Droste, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course description: Reasonable accommodation for disabilities intersects with every aspect of the federal workforce: conduct, performance, leave, telework, and more. FELTG Instructor Meghan Droste will explain answers to the most common questions including: What does qualified individual really mean? What is the agency required to do during the interactive process? Must I provide a provisional accommodation? Do I have to grant telework as an accommodation? Is providing a new supervisor a reasonable accommodation? You’ll receive guidance on other perplexing reasonable accommodation challenges, and discuss the mistakes agencies have made in recent cases – so you can avoid similar mistakes. You can’t afford to miss this session. Earn 1.5 EEO refresher hours and 1.5 CLE credits.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Make legal disability determinations.
• Understand “qualified individual” standard.
• Provide the most effective reasonable accommodation to allow the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by April 14): One Session = $100  |  Three Sessions = $250  |  All Access = $700
• Standard Tuition (register April 15-23): One Session = $115  |  Three Sessions = $275  |  All Access = $750
• Rates per registrant.
• REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom Webinars (not Zoom Meetings) to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. 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.
• How do I claim CLE or EEO refresher credits?
  • This program has been submitted (and we anticipate this program will be approved) for Virginia CLE credits. Members of other state bars must submit for CLE credit on their own, and may use the materials provided by FELTG in submissions. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended, and will designate how many EEO refresher hours were earned.
• Can I get HRCI credits for attending this class?
  • Each session is approved for 1.5 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to record every session, and will make recordings available for purchase after the conclusion of the event.
• 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?
  • The group discount deadline has passed.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

FELTG’s flagship course UnCivil Servant empowers federal supervisors and advisers to confidently handle the challenges that come with supervising in the federal workplace. We hope that you never have to fire an employee. But it’s important that you have the tools to effectively address poor performance and misconduct, should the need arise.

Over the course of two half-days, UnCivil Servant identifies misconceptions about performance and misconduct-based actions and provides you with simple step-by-step guidance for taking swift, appropriate and legally defensible actions. The program also covers the very latest with Executive Order 13839, plus OPM regulations on performance and conduct.

Join FELTG for this special event, from wherever you are working – agency office or home. The program will be presented live, and you’ll have time to ask questions and get answers in real time. Note: This course fulfills OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Who Should Attend

Federal supervisors and managers; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Wednesday, April 29

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I: Accountability and supervisory authority; discipline and misconduct theory and practice; the five elements of discipline; off-duty misconduct; penalty defense and due process.

Thursday, April 30

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II: Discipline procedures and appeals; disciplinary documents; defining unacceptable performance; dealing with poor performers; performance-based removal procedures.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $210 per session, $395 for both sessions (register by April 20).
• Standard Tuition: $225 per session, $425 for both sessions (register April 21-30).
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts available though April 20. Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom Webinars (not Zoom Meetings) to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to record every session, and will make recordings available for purchase after the conclusion of the event. FELTG also plans to offer this live event periodically.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is April 20.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG goes 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 earn HRCI credits for attending this class?
  • Each session is approved for 1.5 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.

Download Registration Form

EEO Challenges in a COVID-19 World

The workplace has been turned upside down over the last few weeks as more than a million federal employees have left their desks and agency facilities to work from home. But just because there’s nobody in the office doesn’t mean that EEO problems have vanished, too. Plus, EEO problems for workers whose presence is deemed essential – such as health care providers, security officers, law enforcement officials – are on the rise.

HR specialists, EEO professionals, agency attorneys and supervisors are finding that instead of decreasing as social distancing sets in, EEO problems are getting more challenging – and some of the questions that are arising have no legal precedent, due to the unprecedented nature of this pandemic. It’s expected that these challenges will continue, and possibly increase, once the majority of workers report back to their offices.

It may seem as though you’re suddenly navigating uncharted waters. Have no fear. During this half-day virtual training event, Attorney Katherine Atkinson will explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the aforementioned and other puzzling EEO questions you may suddenly face. Because Ms. Atkinson will use a legal analysis to address these challenges, the answers and guidance you receive during this virtual training will be useful long after the coronavirus is gone.

Topics covered will include answers to these questions:

• If a supervisor treats an employee like she has COVID-19, could that employee have a “regarded as” claim under the ADA/Rehabilitation Act?
• How would you handle an employee’s claim that he’s being harassed because he is at high risk for COVID-19, or has recovered from the virus?
• Can you direct someone with asthma to telework when she prefers to work in the office?
• Must you provide telework or other accommodations to all employees with pre-existing conditions that make them high risk for COVID-19?

Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the unique problems you’re facing during these unprecedented times.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to determine:

• Whether an employee with COVID-19 or pre-existing respiratory sensitivities should receive a reasonable accommodation.
• How OPM’s telework flexibilities impact the federal workplace.
• When and how to take action against pandemic-related harassment and discrimination.

This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

3

Download Individual Registration Form

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by May 6): $250
• Standard Tuition (register May 7-13): $280
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through May 6. Contact FELTG.
• REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom Webinars (not Zoom Meetings) to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. 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.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG plans to record every session, and will make recordings available for purchase after the conclusion of the event.
• 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 May 6.

Download Registration Form

Event Description

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

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

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

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

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

Download Individual Registration Form

Monday, May 18, 2020

Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles

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

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

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation

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

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

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

Presented by Meghan Droste, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by May 8): One Session = $240  |  Two Sessions = $480  |  Full Event = $645
• Standard Tuition (register May 9-May 20): One Session = $255  |  Two Sessions = $510  |  Full Event = $695
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through May 8. Contact FELTG.
• REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom Webinars (not Zoom Meetings) to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. 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 based on the number of sessions attended by employees in an organization. If an agency wishes to register participants for a total of 30 sessions, a group discount will apply if all registrations received and paid for together. For example, that could be 10 Full Event registrations; or 15 people attending two sessions each. Group discounts are only available through May 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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Federal Workplace Challenges in a COVID-19 World: Returning to Work During a Pandemic

While the nation’s slow re-opening is being welcomed by struggling small businesses and Americans eager for a return to normalcy, it is being met with hesitation and fear by many employees who will soon be making their way back to the workplaces they last occupied several weeks ago.

They are not the only ones who are hesitant. You probably are too. And you should be. Bringing teleworkers back to the physical workplace amid a pandemic will not be easy. Agency HR/EEO professionals, attorneys, supervisors, and managers play important roles in ensuring that their agencies follow the appropriate guidelines, comply with laws involving leave and reasonable accommodation, and meet their burden for providing a safe workspace.

Are you prepared? Join FELTG for a one-of-a-kind, multi-faceted virtual training event that readies you for this unique and demanding challenge. In one afternoon, attendees will receive a detailed discussion of numerous considerations as they prepare for the physical return of employees to the workplace – leave and flexible work schedules, medical testing, employees who blow the whistle about COVID-19 related issues, reasonable accommodation, mental health crises, and much more.

Learning Objectives

After completing this training, attendees will know how to:

• Apply available flexibilities on scheduling, leave, and telework.
• Provide appropriate support to employees with mental health struggles exacerbated by the pandemic.
• Ensure a safe work environment without violating EEO laws.

This is an event that you cannot afford to miss. This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern

Download Individual Registration Form

Session Description

Part 1: Federal Employee Leave: Rights, Requirements and Strategies

Presented by Ann Boehm, FELTG Instructor, Attorney at Law

Administering leave can be complicated enough in normal times, let alone during a pandemic. Ms. Boehm will explain the basic leave entitlements of federal employees, and address the additional leave options and strategies that are specific to COVID-19, such as emergency paid sick leave and administrative leave.

Part 2: Complying with the Law While Ensuring a Safe Return to Work

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

What is the latest guidance from OPM, OMB, CDC, and other authorities as agencies prepare to call employees back to work? Can you – and should you – require medical certification for employees returning to duty? What are your options if an employee refuses to return to work? Are you prepared for reasonable accommodation requests or hostile work environment claims from vulnerable populations? What should an agency do if an employee has blown the whistle about COVID-19 related matters? Ms. Hopkins will address these issues, and more.

Part 3: Managing the Mental Health Crisis During the Pandemic

Presented by Shana Palmieri, LCSW, FELTG Instructor

A new national report detailing the psychological impacts of COVID-19 projects an additional 75,000 Americans could die due to “diseases of despair.” This vulnerable population will soon be returning to the workplace. Ms. Palmieri will provide up-to-date information on risk factors for mental health crises and how to provide appropriate support, intervention and access to treatment for federal government employees to prevent deaths from diseases of despair including suicide, depression, and acute trauma.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by June 1): $295
• Standard Tuition (register June 2-10): $345
• Rates per registrant.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through June 1. Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Zoom Webinars (not Zoom Meetings) for this 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 1.

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

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

If there’s one issue that comes up in every training class regardless of the audience or topic, it’s Reasonable Accommodation in the federal workplace. Now’s your chance to attend a two-day event focused entirely on appropriately and legally handling reasonable accommodation requests, including the more complicated scenarios where there’s not an easy answer. FELTG’s Virtual Training Institute proudly presents Reasonable Accommodation Spotlight: Challenges and Trends in Federal Agencies.

Let FELTG’s experienced instructors guide you through the complexities in the reasonable accommodation process, and show you the best ways to avoid pitfalls, so that your agency provides appropriate, useful, and legally-defensible accommodations for individuals who are entitled to receive them. Covering everything from the foundations of the law to challenges such as providing accommodations to teleworkers, allowing emotional support animals in the workplace, accommodating stress, properly handling requests for medical documentation, and including the very latest EEOC guidance on COVID-19 and more, this is a class you can’t afford to miss. Plus, you’ll have multiple opportunities to ask your Reasonable Accommodation questions – and get answers in real time.

This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 pm.

6

Who Should Attend

Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; EEO counselors and investigators; federal supervisors and managers who have employees with reasonable accommodation requests; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Tuesday, June 16 – Reasonable Accommodation: The Foundations and Challenges

12:30 – 4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00 – 2:30), with Instructor Meghan Droste

Course topics: Overview of Reasonable Accommodation law and the Reasonable Accommodation process; the “regarded as” provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act; a closer look at complicated cases involving determining essential functions, the definition of qualified individual, agency obligations during the interactive process, and undue hardship claims.

Wednesday, June 17 – Reasonable Accommodation Trends

12:30 – 4:00 pm eastern (break from 2:00 – 2:30), with Instructor Katherine Atkinson

Course topics: Requests for telework, flexible work schedules, and leave as Reasonable Accommodation; accommodating the commute; accommodating stress; handling requests for a new supervisor as accommodation; accommodating service animals vs. emotional support animals in the workplace; medical documentation; medical exams and inquiries; updated COVID-19 guidance from EEOC.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per session, $560 for both sessions (register by June 5).
• Standard Tuition: $330 per session, $595 for both sessions (register June 6-17).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex 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 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.
• Can I earn CLE credits or EEO refresher training 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. Attendees may also request a certificate for EEO refresher hours upon completion of this program.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through June 5.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Event Description

Holding federal employees accountable for performance and conduct is easier than you might think. Too many supervisors believe that an employee’s protected activity (EEO complaints, whistleblower disclosures, or union activity) precludes the supervisor from initiating a suspension or removal, but that’s just not true. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more imperative your employees are doing the work they are assigned to do, and following all workplace rules along the way.

FELTG is here to make federal supervisors’ and advisers’ lives easier by clarifying those misconceptions while helping supervisors understand how to take defensible misconduct actions quickly and fairly – actions that withstand scrutiny on appeal by the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration. Plus, if you have an under-performing employee working for you now, we will show you the steps to take to give the employee an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance, and how to determine whether the employee is successful or should be removed. In addition, we’ll discuss how you can defend against allegations of discrimination and hostile work environment claims, and the role of the supervisor and advisor throughout the EEO process.

Join us for this three-day seminar and come away with the tools you need to hold your employees accountable, and defend every action you take.

The program runs from 9:00 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a break from 12:00 – 1:00, and when taken together days 1 & 2 meet OPM’s mandatory training requirements for federal supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

Download Individual Registration Form

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Session 1: Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I

9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT (break from 12:00 – 1:00)

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

Course Description: This program begins with a discussion on the foundations of accountability and supervisory authority in the federal government. After learning to identify the differences between performance and conduct issues, the seminar will shift the focus to discipline and misconduct theory and practice. From emphasizing the five elements of misconduct, to explaining how an agency can defend its penalty and provide the employee with due process, to a discussion on discipline procedures and appeals, the attendee will receive a thorough education on properly – and legally – handling employee misconduct issues in the federal workplace.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the differences between employee performance and misconduct issues
• Identify the five elements that must be presents in every discipline case
• Recognize the supervisor’s and advisor’s roles in disciplinary procedures and appeals

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Session 2: Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II

9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT (break from 12:00 – 1:00)

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course Description: This session begins with a focus on one of the most misunderstood areas of accountability: poor performance. The conversation includes the requirements to implement a performance demonstration period, initiating and completing a performance-based action, and determining the appropriate outcome after the employee has been given an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance. From there, the discussion turns to some tricky supervisory scenarios that become less intimidating after explanation: dealing with attendance issues, properly handling the absent employee, medical removals and dealing with union issues.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the legally-required procedures to hold an employee accountable for poor performance
• Identify and implement the procedures to deal with leave abuse
• Acknowledge how dealing with employees in a bargaining unit is different than non-bargaining unit employees

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Session 3: Defending Against Discrimination Complaints: The Supervisor’s Role in EEO

9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT (break from 12:00 – 1:00)

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course Description: One of the most intimidating experiences for a federal supervisor is being named in an EEO complaint. Yet, if you are a supervisor for any length of time, there’s a good chance it will happen. This session helps to clarify the federal EEO process so supervisors understand how defend against allegations of discrimination. After an explanation of the protected EEO categories, we’ll cover what to do – and what not to do – if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint, and what happens if you’re called as an EEO witness. From there, the program will cover the theories of discrimination, and will provide you with the tools you need to prove your workplace actions were legitimate and non-discriminatory. You’ll sleep better at night after attending this session!

Learning Objectives

• Identify the theories of discrimination in the federal workplace
• Recognize the situations where a employees need reasonable accommodation – and your role in the process
• Understand how to successfully defend against allegations of harassment and discrimination

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by June 9):

• 3 days = $1400
• 2 days = $1000
• 1 day = $560

Standard Tuition (register June 10-25):

• 3 days = $1500
• 2 days = $1100
• 1 day = $660

Seminar registration includes a printed copy of the materials, and a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 5th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins. In order to receive materials by the training date, please register by June 9 and provide a shipping address. Registrations received after June 9 will also receive printed materials, but materials are not guaranteed to arrive by the training date.

Event FAQs

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

• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through June 9.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

COVID-19. Workplace harassment. Union negotiations. Telework. Mental health crises. These are just a few of the issues federal agencies are working through in 2020.

Navigating your role in the modern federal workplace requires not just the legal knowledge, but also the practical skills to handle the most intense and challenging situations. And the challenges you face today may not be the same as the challenges you faced last week, last month, or last year. And if that weren’t enough, there’s now a global pandemic to contend with.

For example, do you know what to do in the following scenarios?

• An employee with bipolar disorder is having a manic episode in the workplace.
• An employee threatens violence or suicide after the social isolation caused by COVID-19 has taken its toll.
• An employee claims she is being sexually harassed by one of your best performers.
• You’ve heard reports that another manager is bullying an employee.
• Your entire team is working remotely, but you need to meet with everyone to discuss a project or deadline.
• An employee is wasting time on social media when he is supposed to be working.
• The union is using abrasive language directed at agency leadership and management officials.

We will provide you the specific legal, practical and clinical guidance you need to reply effectively in these and many other difficult situations during our updated-for-2020 Emerging Issues Week. You’ll gain the tools to better understand how to:

• Deal with employees who are experiencing mental and behavioral health issues.
• Handle sexual harassment and bullying claims.
• Interact with the union in an effective way.
• Manage a mobile workforce and handle reasonable accommodation requests.
• Deal with threats of violence – from suicide to mass shootings – in the federal workplace.

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; federal supervisors and managers; security officers; union representatives.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Shana Palmieri, Katherine Atkinson, Ann Boehm

Daily Agenda:

Monday, July 20

Handling Behavioral Health Issues: Course topics: An overview of the ADA/ADAAA and Rehabilitation Act requirements on accommodating individuals with invisible disabilities – with a focus on mental impairments and other behavioral health issues; types of mental disabilities and how they may exhibit in the workplace; accommodations for behavioral health-related disabilities; working with employees who have PTSD, handling substance abuse misuse and disorders; last chance agreements; dos and don’ts when working with employees who have behavioral health issues.

Tuesday, July 21

Dealing with Threats of Violence: Course topics: Handling the psychiatric emergency in the workplace; threatening behavior and the direct threat analysis; myths and facts about targeted violence in the workplace; dealing with suicidal employees; individual characteristics that put an employee at higher risk of committing an act of violence; how to develop and implement an in-house threat management team to deal with threat assessments, risk management, and the best ways to keep employees safe during a crisis; steps to take if someone becomes violent in the workplace.

Wednesday, July 22

Harassment Allegations and Investigations: Course topics: Differentiating between EEO and non-EEO harassment; protected categories; avenues of redress for the aggrieved; investigating harassment allegations; developing an investigative plan; dealing with difficult witnesses; witness and management rights during the investigation stage; agency obligations; the intersection with criminal investigations; bullying; special considerations in light of #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Thursday, July 23

The Nontraditional Workplace: Telework, Reasonable Accommodation, and Technology Challenges: Accountability tools for managing a mobile workforce; updated COVID-19 telework guidance from OPM, the White House, and EEOC; return to work challenges in the wake of COVID-19; handling requests for telework, leave, or flexible schedules as reasonable accommodation; challenges with technology in the federal workplace including technology-related misconduct.

Friday, July 24

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

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by July 6):

• 5 days = $2190
• 4 days = $1795
• 3 days = $1385
• 2 days = $980
• 1 day = $540

Standard Tuition (register July 7 – July 24):

• 5 days = $2290
• 4 days = $1895
• 3 days = $1485
• 2 days = $1080
• 1 day = $640

Seminar registration includes a printed copy of the materials. In order to receive materials by the training date, please register by July 6 and provide a shipping address. Registrations received after July 6 will also receive printed materials, but materials are not guaranteed to arrive by the training date.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through July 6.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

Counselors and investigators, here’s a little secret: The eight hours of refresher training that you are required to receive every year does not have to be the same old boring training. FELTG believes that your eight-hour refresher training can and should be interesting, engaging and compelling.

By attending five courses during FELTG’s summer conference-like virtual training Federal Workplace 2020: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends you’ll be able to earn all eight of your hours and receive critical guidance on important EEO topics, such as: EEO timelines, best practices for interviewing complainants and witnesses, trends in reasonable accommodation, the very latest on sexual orientation and gender discrimination, what happens when disabilities and FMLA overlap, and more. Plus, you’ll get the chance to ask questions of the resident authorities who collectively have seen almost everything in the world of EEO. Attendees will also receive a certificate of attendance verifying they’ve met the annual training requirement. We hope to see you there.

At-a-Glance Schedule

• Monday, July 27: 12:30 – 4:00 pm eastern (3 refresher hours)
• Wednesday, July 29: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm eastern (5 refresher hours)

Who Should Attend

EEO Counselors and EEO Investigators; others with an interest in EEO law are welcome to attend

Download Individual Registration Form

Monday, July 27, 2020

Counselor & Investigator Refresher Jump Start

Pre-session

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

What Every Counselor and Investigator Needs to Know in 2020

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 3 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours)

Hey counselors and investigators! FELTG’s special event Federal Workplace 2020: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends provides an opportunity for you to pick up your mandatory annual refresher training with useful, timely, and engaging guidance. Ms. Atkinson kicks things off with an in-depth presentation on the foundational issues that EEO professionals need to know – everything from jurisdiction and pre-complaint counseling considerations, to best practices for interviewing complainants and witnesses.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand timeliness issues like tolling and estoppel.
• Identify the appropriate bases for dismissing a complaint.
• Prepare and conduct effective witness interviews.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Handling EEO Challenges

Session 5

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Reasonable Accommodation in 75 Minutes

Presented by Dwight Lewis, former EEOC Chief AJ/Dallas Region, FELTG Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

As the Chief Administrative Judge of the EEOC’s Dallas Region for many years, Dwight Lewis saw his fair share of cases where agencies made reasonable accommodation mistakes. In this fast-paced session, Mr. Lewis will prepare you to be better equipped to navigate the reasonable accommodation process and avoid those mistakes he’s seen so often. The session will cover everything from defining a disability to determining undue hardship, and will highlight the importance of the interactive process in determining what accommodation is reasonable.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Effectively navigate the interactive process.
• Determine when telework would be an appropriate accommodation.
• Explain who gets to choose the accommodation, and why

Session 6

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

The Latest on Sexual Orientation and Transgender Discrimination

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

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)  

The Supreme Court will be handing down a decision on the Zarda, Bostock, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes cases before thistraining event. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will share her analysis of the High Court ruling and explain the impact it will have on the federal workplace. Over 75 minutes, Ms. Hopkins will also bring you up to speed on the law, gender stereotyping as sex discrimination, same-sex discrimination, harassment not motivated by sexual desire, and much more.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the statutory authorities that prohibit sex-based discrimination.
• Define terms and concepts that apply to LGBTQ+ employees.
• Identify actions that get agencies into EEO trouble.

Session 7

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

When the ADA and FMLA Collide

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Navigating the FMLA is one of the most complex challenges a federal agency can face unless, of course, it is navigating the ADA at the same time. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will compare and contrast coverage under the FMLA and coverage under the ADA, discuss the tricky role of medical documentation, and review leave under the FMLA and as a reasonable accommodation.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Explain the difference between a serious health condition and an ADA disability.
• Handle excessive absences under FMLA.
• Request the appropriate medical documentation, without violating employee rights to confidentiality.

Session 8

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Navigating the Morass of Mixed Cases

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Few things create as much confusion among even experienced federal attorneys, EEO specialists, or HR professionals as mixed cases. We are here to help. Join Bob Woods as he untangles this often-complicated area when MSPB and EEOC both have potential jurisdiction over a case. What do you do when a mixed case lands on your desk? You’ll learn if you attend this session.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discuss procedural options for processing mixed cases.
• Identify potential jurisdictional issues in mixed case processing.
• Explain the role of the Special Panel.

Pricing

• Early bird price is $725.
• See registration for full pricing details.
• Early Bird discounts available until July 15!

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the EEO refresher registration option. Group discounts are available through July 15.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

Summer heralds the arrival of warmer weather, and with it the federal conference season. But with a pandemic not yet behind us, you may be wary of attending a crowded function or, perhaps, you find that getting approval for travel is even more difficult than usual. In fact, the pandemic is making the possibility of attending summer federal conferences less likely each day.

There’s no need to despair, and no need to give up on high-quality training: join the virtual FELTG Forum this summer, from wherever you’re working. FELTG’s experienced and widely respected instructors come together for a training event focused on making sure you’re prepared to effectively manage the federal employment challenges that are new, complicated, and critical to your and your agency’s success. Plus, unlike a conference where you have to register for the full event, this training event allows attendees to register for only the sessions they prefer to attend. It’s better than a conference!

Whether you’re a supervisor, HR professional, EEO practitioner or an attorney, this event has something for you. Attendees will receive clear strategies and straight-forward guidance for holding employees accountable for performance and conduct, deftly handling the most complex EEO challenges, and identifying and handling those pesky issues that are new — or will be soon enough. Along the way, EEO counselors and investigators can earn their annual refresher hours, and attorneys can pick up CLEs, including two hours for their legal ethics requirements.

And here’s the best part: You can select whichever sessions you want. Join us for the whole event. Or join us for one day, or just one session. It’s up to you.

Avoid the crowds. Save your agency money. And get the important training you need from instructors you trust.

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; federal supervisors and managers; security officers; union representatives.

Download Individual Registration Form

Monday, July 27, 2020

Counselor& Investigator Refresher Jump Start

Pre-session

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

What Every Counselor and Investigator Needs to Know in 2020

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 3 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours)

Hey counselors and investigators! FELTG’s special event Federal Workplace 2020: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends provides an opportunity for you to pick up your mandatory annual refresher training with useful, timely, and engaging guidance. Ms. Atkinson kicks things off with an in-depth presentation on the foundational issues that EEO professionals need to know – everything from jurisdiction and pre-complaint counseling considerations, to best practices for interviewing complainants and witnesses during a global pandemic.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand timeliness issues like tolling and estoppel.
• Identify the appropriate bases for dismissing a complaint.
• Prepare and conduct effective witness interviews.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Spotlight on Accountability

Session 1

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

The Foundations of Accountability: Discipline and Performance

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

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

This session begins with a discussion on the foundation of supervisory authority, and it will clarify the too-common misconceptions that prevent federal agencies from taking successful misconduct and performance-based actions against employees. Attendees will learn the five elements that must be present in a disciplinary case, the principles for holding employees accountable to perform acceptably, and will leave with the guidance necessary to avoid the roadblocks that lead to actions that fail when under the scrutiny of the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize the differences between performance and conduct.
• Identify the due process errors that doom a disciplinary or performance case.
• Successfully take a defensible disciplinary or performance-based action that complies with the law, regulations, and Executive Orders.

Session 2

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Charges and Penalties in Disciplinary Cases

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

If you’ve been in the business for more than a few days, you know the importance of drafting legally-sufficient disciplinary charges, and making a reasonable penalty determination. Yet many agencies still lose cases because of poorly drafted charges. This session will cover the art and science behind drafting disciplinary charges, including the types of charges, parts of a charge, how charges are interpreted, and alternative charges. From there the discussion will cover the factors required to determine an appropriate penalty for employee misconduct.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discuss the MSPB and Federal Circuit lead cases involving penalty determination.
• Defend the penalty using the Douglas Factors – or related penalty defense factors.
• Draft effective proposal and decision letters.

Session 3

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

Providing Performance Feedback That Makes a Difference

Presented by Anthony Marchese, Ph.D., Coach/Author/Trainer, FELTG Instructor

There is one action you can take that, when done effectively, could have a major impact on your team’s morale and productivity, and that is providing employees with honest feedback – and not just at mid-year or annual review time. Especially crucial, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, is continuing to provide feedback to remote employees. This session presentation will equip participants to nurture a culture of candor, while exposing feedback myths and ineffective practices. Plus, you’ll learn how to have difficult conversations that produce actionable outcomes.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the best practices for nurturing a culture of healthy feedback.
• Prepare for routine and high-stakes conversations by learning to use a thoughtful approach to employee conversations.
• Distinguish between opposing mindsets and their impact upon how feedback is received/acted upon.

Session 4

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

What to Do When Performance Goes Bad

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

When it comes to the PIP, the DP, the ODAP, or whatever your agency calls it, a lot of the advice you get is BS. But not from FELTG. This session gets to the heart of how to handle performance challenges, for employees in the office or on telework status. Attendees will learn the FELTG-Way to manage an employee’s opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance. And if the employee fails the DP, attendees will be able to confidently, effectively, and quickly remove the employee for poor performance.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the required elements of performance cases.
• Implement a legally-sufficient opportunity period to demonstrate acceptable performance (formerly a PIP).
• Remove a poor performer in 31 days.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Handling EEO Challenges

Session 5

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Reasonable Accommodation in 75 Minutes

Presented by Dwight Lewis, former EEOC Chief AJ/Dallas Region, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

As the Chief Administrative Judge of the EEOC’s Dallas Region for many years, Dwight Lewis saw his fair share of cases where agencies made reasonable accommodation mistakes. In this fast-paced session, Mr. Lewis will prepare you to be better equipped to navigate the reasonable accommodation process and avoid those mistakes he’s seen so often. The session will cover everything from defining a disability to determining undue hardship, and will highlight the importance of the interactive process in determining what accommodation is reasonable.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Effectively navigate the interactive process.
• Determine when telework would be an appropriate accommodation.
• Explain who gets to choose the accommodation, and why.

Session 6

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

The Latest on Sexual Orientation and Transgender Discrimination

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

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)  

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Zarda, Bostock, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes that definitively set the level of protection for LGBTQ employees in this country. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will share her analysis of the High Court ruling and explain the impact it has on the federal workplace. Over 75 minutes, Ms. Hopkins will also bring you up to speed on gender stereotyping as sex discrimination, same-sex discrimination, harassment not motivated by sexual desire, and much more.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the statutory authorities that prohibit sex-based discrimination.
• Define terms and concepts that apply to LGBTQ+ employees.
• Identify actions that get agencies into EEO trouble.

Session 7

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

When the ADA and FMLA Collide

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Navigating the FMLA is one of the most complex challenges a federal agency can face unless, of course, it is navigating the ADA at the same time. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic and you’ve got a complicated recipe that requires special attention. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will compare and contrast coverage under the FMLA and coverage under the ADA, discuss the tricky role of medical documentation, and review leave under the FMLA and as a reasonable accommodation.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Explain the difference between a serious health condition and an ADA disability.
• Handle excessive absences under FMLA.
• Request the appropriate medical documentation, without violating employee rights to confidentiality.

Session 8

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Navigating the Morass of Mixed Cases

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Few things create as much confusion among even experienced federal attorneys, EEO specialists, or HR professionals as mixed cases. We are here to help. Join Bob Woods as he untangles this often-complicated area when MSPB and EEOC both have potential jurisdiction over a case. What do you do when a mixed case lands on your desk? You’ll learn if you attend this session.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discuss procedural options for processing mixed cases.
• Identify potential jurisdictional issues in mixed case processing.
• Explain the role of the Special Panel.

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Trends in Federal Employment Law

Session 9

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Performance and Conduct Problems During a Pandemic: Holding Remote Employees Accountable

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

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

One of the biggest challenges facing agencies during this COVID-19 pandemic – and its potential aftermath – is that so much of the workforce is no longer in the workplace. And with varying return to work orders across the country, there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to where things stand. How do you handle performance issues? What about conduct? What happens if an employee refuses to report for duty? While many employees are thriving under remote work, others continue to struggle with conduct or performance. It’s imperative to agency mission that you use the right tools to swiftly and effectively address these problems, regardless of where the employee is doing – or NOT doing – the actual work.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Follow the appropriate steps to discipline an employee for telework-related misconduct.
• Conduct a performance demonstration period while an employee is working remotely.
• Identify the agency’s options when an employee refuses to report for duty.

Session 10

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Understanding and Working with Your Agency’s OIG

Presented by Scott Boehm, former Senior Intelligence Advisor/Department of Defense Inspector General, FELTG Instructor

Your agency’s Office of Inspector General employs investigators, auditors, evaluators, and, sometimes, armed special agents. Its mission is to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse, and promote economy, effectiveness, and efficiency of agency operations. It does so by investigating potential violations of law or misconduct and auditing or evaluating the agency’s operations and systems. If it sounds like your OIG’s mission may overlap or interconnect with your office’s mission, you’re right. So what happens when you’re investigating misconduct, and the OIG is investigating as well? What’s the role of the OIG if you uncover criminal behavior in the workplace? How does the OIG handle whistleblower disclosures? It’s important that you not only have a clear picture of what your agency’s OIG does, but also how to work with them. Now you have the chance to learn what you need to know.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize the various types, purposes, and qualifications of Inspector Generals.
• Identify the agency information that the OIG has access to, and any limitations it has on that information.
• Determine whether an event or action triggers your responsibility

Session 11

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

EEO Trends in a COVID-19 World

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

The workplace has been turned upside down over the last few months as more than a million federal employees left their agency facilities to work from home. Now agencies are returning people to the workplace. Just because nobody was in the office for a while doesn’t mean that EEO problems have vanished, too. Ms. Atkinson will explain how applying the basic EEO framework can answer the current EEO issues you may be facing, such as providing telework as reasonable accommodation for people with underlying health conditions, agencies’ legal authority to administer medical exams related to COVID-19, and the virus-related problems agencies have seen lately regarding race and national origin discrimination.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the areas where COVID-19 and EEO intersect.
• Identify the elements of a direct threat analysis and how it applies to a global pandemic.
• Explain the scenarios where virus-related comments about race and national origin rise to the level of a hostile work environment.

Session 12

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Case Law Update: EEOC, FLRA, MSPB, and More

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 1.25 CLE credits)

In the world of federal employment law, things can change quickly; there has been more action in the past three years than in the previous 35. Join FELTG Instructor Ann Boehm for a review of the most recent and relevant cases, regulations, studies and reports from the EEOC, FLRA and MSPB, plus information from OPM and the Office of Special Counsel and where things stand with the Executive Orders. Attendees will leave with knowledge of recent developments and with an in-depth analysis of the current employment law climate and its impact on the federal workplace.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify the most critical recent decisions from the EEOC and FLRA.
• Explain the status and impact of President Trump’s Executive Orders regarding the federal workplace.
• Understand the current status of the MSPB and how the lack of quorum impacts agency actions and appeals.

Friday, July 31, 2020

Ethics 

Post-session A

10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

Ethics for the Government Attorney

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 2.0 CLE ethics credits)

You have to earn your Ethics CLE credits, so you might as well do it the FELTG way and really learn something. Ms. Boehm, who spent more than 25 years working in employment law at federal agencies, will provide content focused specifically for government attorneys. Ms. Boehm will discuss ethics in relation to defining the client, filings and pleadings, contractors, personal conduct and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to work their way through ethically challenging hypothetical scenarios and to ask questions, and get answers, from someone who has experienced the same challenges you’re facing today.

Pricing

• Early bird pricing for individual sessions start at $125. Daily and full event discounts available.
• Early bird EEO refresher track pricing is $725.
• See registration for full pricing details.
• Early Bird discounts available until July 15!

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the Main Access or Ethics All Access registration options only. Group discounts are available through July 15.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

Counselors and investigators, here’s a little secret: The eight hours of refresher training that you are required to receive every year does not have to be the same old boring training. FELTG believes that your eight-hour refresher training can and should be interesting, engaging and compelling.

By attending five courses during FELTG’s summer conference-like virtual training Federal Workplace 2020: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends you’ll be able to earn all eight of your hours and receive critical guidance on important EEO topics, such as: EEO timelines, best practices for interviewing complainants and witnesses, trends in reasonable accommodation, the very latest on sexual orientation and gender discrimination, what happens when disabilities and FMLA overlap, and more. Plus, you’ll get the chance to ask questions of the resident authorities who collectively have seen almost everything in the world of EEO. Attendees will also receive a certificate of attendance verifying they’ve met the annual training requirement. We hope to see you there.

At-a-Glance Schedule

• Monday, July 27: 12:30 – 4:00 pm eastern (3 refresher hours)
• Wednesday, July 29: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm eastern (5 refresher hours)

Who Should Attend

EEO Counselors and EEO Investigators; others with an interest in EEO law are welcome to attend

Download Individual Registration Form

Monday, July 27, 2020

Counselor & Investigator Refresher Jump Start

Pre-session

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

What Every Counselor and Investigator Needs to Know in 2020

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

(Earn 3 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours)

Hey counselors and investigators! FELTG’s special event Federal Workplace 2020: Accountability, Challenges, and Trends provides an opportunity for you to pick up your mandatory annual refresher training with useful, timely, and engaging guidance. Ms. Atkinson kicks things off with an in-depth presentation on the foundational issues that EEO professionals need to know – everything from jurisdiction and pre-complaint counseling considerations, to best practices for interviewing complainants and witnesses.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand timeliness issues like tolling and estoppel.
• Identify the appropriate bases for dismissing a complaint.
• Prepare and conduct effective witness interviews.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Handling EEO Challenges

Session 5

9:30 – 10:45 am EDT

Reasonable Accommodation in 75 Minutes

Presented by Dwight Lewis, former EEOC Chief AJ/Dallas Region, FELTG Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

As the Chief Administrative Judge of the EEOC’s Dallas Region for many years, Dwight Lewis saw his fair share of cases where agencies made reasonable accommodation mistakes. In this fast-paced session, Mr. Lewis will prepare you to be better equipped to navigate the reasonable accommodation process and avoid those mistakes he’s seen so often. The session will cover everything from defining a disability to determining undue hardship, and will highlight the importance of the interactive process in determining what accommodation is reasonable.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Effectively navigate the interactive process.
• Determine when telework would be an appropriate accommodation.
• Explain who gets to choose the accommodation, and why

Session 6

11:15 am – 12:30 pm EDT

The Latest on Sexual Orientation and Transgender Discrimination

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

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)  

The Supreme Court will be handing down a decision on the Zarda, Bostock, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes cases before thistraining event. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins will share her analysis of the High Court ruling and explain the impact it will have on the federal workplace. Over 75 minutes, Ms. Hopkins will also bring you up to speed on the law, gender stereotyping as sex discrimination, same-sex discrimination, harassment not motivated by sexual desire, and much more.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand the statutory authorities that prohibit sex-based discrimination.
• Define terms and concepts that apply to LGBTQ+ employees.
• Identify actions that get agencies into EEO trouble.

Session 7

1:30 – 2:45 pm EDT

When the ADA and FMLA Collide

Presented by Barbara Haga, President/Federal HR Services, FELTG Senior Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Navigating the FMLA is one of the most complex challenges a federal agency can face unless, of course, it is navigating the ADA at the same time. FELTG Senior Instructor Barbara Haga will compare and contrast coverage under the FMLA and coverage under the ADA, discuss the tricky role of medical documentation, and review leave under the FMLA and as a reasonable accommodation.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Explain the difference between a serious health condition and an ADA disability.
• Handle excessive absences under FMLA.
• Request the appropriate medical documentation, without violating employee rights to confidentiality.

Session 8

3:15 – 4:30 pm EDT

Navigating the Morass of Mixed Cases

Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor.

(Earn 1.25 EEO counselor & investigator refresher hours and 1.25 CLE credits)

Few things create as much confusion among even experienced federal attorneys, EEO specialists, or HR professionals as mixed cases. We are here to help. Join Bob Woods as he untangles this often-complicated area when MSPB and EEOC both have potential jurisdiction over a case. What do you do when a mixed case lands on your desk? You’ll learn if you attend this session.

Learning takeaways

Attendees will learn how to:

• Discuss procedural options for processing mixed cases.
• Identify potential jurisdictional issues in mixed case processing.
• Explain the role of the Special Panel.

Pricing

• Early bird price is $725.
• See registration for full pricing details.
• Early Bird discounts available until July 15!

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the EEO refresher registration option. Group discounts are available through July 15.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

If you’re looking for training that covers the gamut of EEO issues, and provides usable guidance for all practitioners, regardless of experience level, this is it: FELTG’s EEOC Law Week. FELTG’s expert speakers, drawing on years of experience from all sides of the litigation table, deliver a fast-paced week of strategies, principles, and authorities relative to the major aspects of the field of discrimination law in the federal government. This course is updated for 2020, including the latest on EEOC’s COVID-19 guidance and workplace harassment. In addition, this in-depth training provides the required material for EEO counselors and investigators to receive certification hours.

The program runs 9:00 am – 4:00 pm eastern each day, with a break from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm., and is pre-approved for 29 CLE credits in Virginia and California. It is also approved for 29 HRCI general recertification credits.

 6 per day Monday – Thursday; 5 on Friday.

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; EEO counselors and investigators; Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; federal supervisors and managers who have complicated EEO issues in the workplace; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; union representatives.

Instructors

Deborah Hopkins, Meghan Droste, Bob Woods

Daily Agenda

Monday, August 10

Basic EEOC: Nuts & Bolts: Course topics: Statutory authority and jurisdiction of EEOC; an overview of the theories of discrimination; overview of the EEO process; amended and consolidated complaints; timeliness issues in the wake of the Supreme Court decisions in Morgan and Ledbetter.

Tuesday, August 11

Contractor Complaints; Intentional Discrimination and Reprisal Cases: Course topics: The agency’s role and obligations when a contractor files an EEO complaint; intentional discrimination analysis and cases; selection and promotion cases; a focus on national origin and religious discrimination cases; reprisal analysis and case updates.

Wednesday, August 12 

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities: Course topics: The Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, defining individual with a disability, understanding major life activities and substantial limitations; identifying essential job functions; the legal requirements for the interactive process; types of reasonable accommodation; the latest on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and relevant regulations.

Thursday, August 13

Current Trends in EEO Law: A Focus on Harassment: Course topics: The very latest on what’s happening in EEO; hostile environment harassment; gender stereotyping; same-sex harassment; recent court decisions on sexual orientation and transgender discrimination; non-EEO harassment; settling EEO cases.

Friday, August 14

Mixed Cases; Damages & Remedies: Course topics: Understanding the world of mixed cases with special presenter Don Names; overview of equitable remedies: back pay, front pay, reinstatement; non-pecuniary and pecuniary damages; past and future damages; damages offsets; the duty to mitigate damages; collateral sources and pre-existing conditions; multiple causations of harm; the eggshell complainant; plus a bonus segment on recent relevant EEOC decisions.

Pricing

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

Early Bird Tuition (register by July 27):

• 5 days = $2190
• 4 days = $1795
• 3 days = $1385
• 2 days = $980
• 1 day = $540

Standard Tuition (register July 28 – August 14):

• 5 days = $2290
• 4 days = $1895
• 3 days = $1485
• 2 days = $1080
• 1 day = $640

Seminar registration includes a printed copy of the materials. In order to receive materials by the training date, please register by July 27 and provide a shipping address. Registrations received after July 27 will also receive printed materials, but materials are not guaranteed to arrive by the training date. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through July 27.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

The one-size-fits-all approach to managing others is ineffective, and that becomes particularly apparent when the majority of your staff is teleworking.  Drawing upon the latest research and best practices in behavioral science, communication, team effectiveness, and generational studies, while making special consideration of the increased use of telework during the COVID-19 pandemic, FELTG Instructor Dr. Anthony Marchese will share his insight and practical strategies to ensure you are managing for success.

Sessions will be held from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, with a break from 2:00-2:30 pm.

Instructor

Anthony Marchese, PhD

Who Should Attend

Federal supervisors and managers; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Wednesday, August 19 – Managing Effectively

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

Course description: Dr. Marchese will explain the difference between managing and leading, and help you to identify your strength and hone your supervisory skills. Using realistic agency scenarios, participants will learn how to understand and leverage individual differences to develop a meaningful management methodology that is targeted to the needs of their employees and those of the agency.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• Identify strategies for managing difficult employees.
• Successfully manage a mobile workforce.
• Employ a specific set of skills to resolve workplace conflicts – including virtual conflicts.

Thursday, August 20 – Communicating Effectively

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

Course description: What is stopping you and your team from developing innovative solutions to your most challenging problems? Oftentimes, the problem lies in a unit’s lack of communication. In Day 2 of this interactive virtual training, Dr. Marchese will share several strategies for improving communication with your staff – and it starts with you providing ongoing feedback on employee performance.

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

• (And how often to) communicate performance expectations.
• Recognize the differences between positive and negative framing.
• Hold difficult conversations with employees.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $275 per session, $525 for both sessions (register by August 10).
• Standard Tuition: $330 per session, $595 for both sessions (register August 11-20).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex 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 share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.

• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through August 10.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

From chronic pain and chronic fatigue to depression and diabetes, employees may be suffering from physical or mental impairments that aren’t obvious. Meanwhile, far too many federal employees and supervisors have a perception that if a disability isn’t visible, then it must not be “real.” And then there’s the fact that most employees are working remotely during pandemic, making the accommodation process even more challenging for HR professionals, supervisors, and the people who advise them.

Successful reasonable accommodation requires a two-pronged approach:

1. An understanding of how to properly navigate the legal requirements, and
2. Practical strategies to determine the most effective accommodation based upon knowledge of the actual impairments.

FELTG President and attorney at law Deborah Hopkins will kick off this virtual training with a thorough review of the ADA and Rehab Act requirements, plus EEOC guidance on accommodating individuals with mental impairments, behavioral health issues, and other hidden disabilities. Then Licensed Clinical Social Worker Shana Palmieri will discuss the best approaches to take – and those to stay away from – as you work with employees to accommodate their unseen disabilities.

If you attend, you will also have multiple opportunities to ask questions – and get answers in real time. And you will leave this training with a holistic and legally sound approach to providing reasonable accommodations to employees with hidden disabilities. This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 pm.

Learning takeaways:

• Understand “qualified individual,” “essential functions,” and other terms integral to determining whether to grant reasonable accommodation.
• Successfully take part in the interactive process.
• Determine whether telework is an appropriate accommodation.
• Explain how certain impairments may impact employee performance.
• Communicate effectively with employees during the reasonable accommodation process.

See the Agenda below for a more detailed list of topics.

3

Download Individual Registration Form

Who Should Attend

Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; EEO counselors and investigators; federal supervisors and managers who have employees with reasonable accommodation requests; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Part 1 – Reasonable Accommodation: The Legal Groundwork

12:30 – 2:00 pm eastern, with Instructor Deborah Hopkins

Course topics: Overview of Reasonable Accommodation law and the Reasonable Accommodation process; the “regarded as” provision of the Americans with Disabilities Act; a closer look at complicated cases involving determining essential functions, the definition of qualified individual, agency obligations during the interactive process, undue hardship claims, medical documentation, telework as accommodation.

Part 2 – Reasonable Accommodation: Practical Applications

2:30 – 4:00 pm eastern, with Instructor Shana Palmieri

Course topics: Understanding common behavioral health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders; methods for accommodating employees with hidden disabilities; effective communication strategies; handling the behavioral health emergency.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $325 (register by August 31).
• Standard Tuition: $365 (register September 1-8).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast its Virtual Training Institute events. Many government computers and systems allow Webex 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 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.
• Can I earn CLE credits or EEO refresher training 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. Attendees may also request a certificate for EEO refresher hours upon completion of this program.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals. Group discounts are available through August 31.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

FELTG’s flagship course UnCivil Servant empowers federal supervisors and advisers to confidently handle the challenges that come with supervising in the federal workplace. We hope that you never have to fire an employee. But it’s important that you have the tools to effectively address poor performance and misconduct, should the need arise.

Over the course of two half-days, UnCivil Servant identifies misconceptions about performance and misconduct-based actions and provides you with simple step-by-step guidance for taking swift, appropriate and legally defensible actions. The program also covers the very latest with Executive Order 13839, plus OPM regulations on performance and conduct.

Join FELTG for this special event, from wherever you are working – agency office or home. The program will be presented live, and you’ll have time to ask questions and get answers in real time. Note: This course fulfills OPM’s mandatory training requirements for new supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

This program runs from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern.

Download Individual Registration Form

Instructor

Deborah Hopkins

Who Should Attend

Federal supervisors and managers; attorneys; Labor and Employee Relations Specialists; EEO specialists; union representatives.

Agenda

Wednesday, September 9

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I: Accountability and supervisory authority; discipline and misconduct theory and practice; the five elements of discipline; off-duty misconduct; penalty defense and due process.

Thursday, September 10

Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II: Discipline procedures and appeals; disciplinary documents; defining unacceptable performance; dealing with poor performers; performance-based removal procedures.

Price

• Early Bird Tuition: $295 per session, $560 for both sessions (register by September 1).
• Standard Tuition: $330 per session, $595 for both sessions (register September 2-10).
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Contact FELTG.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• What if I want to attend a session but have a schedule conflict?
  • FELTG also plans to offer this live event periodically, so check our calendar for upcoming dates.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • If an agency wishes to register 10 or more attendees for the full event, a group discount will be applied if all registrations are received and paid for together. Group discount deadline is September 1.
• 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 earn HRCI credits for attending this class?
  • Each session is approved for 3 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.

Download Individual Registration Form

Course Description

If you’re looking for training that covers the gamut of EEO issues, and provides usable guidance for all practitioners, regardless of experience level, this is it: FELTG’s EEOC Law Week Seminar. FELTG’s expert speakers, drawing on years of experience from all sides of the litigation table, deliver a fast-paced week of strategies, principles, and authorities relative to the major aspects of the field of discrimination law in the federal government. This course is updated for 2020, including the latest on EEOC’s COVID-19 guidance and workplace harassment. In addition, this in-depth training provides the required material for EEO counselors and investigators to receive refresher training hours.

The program runs 12:00 – 4:00 pm eastern each day, with a break from 1:45 – 2:15.

3.5 per day.

Download Individual Registration Form

Who Should Attend

Attorneys; EEO managers and directors; EEO specialists; EEO counselors and investigators; reasonable accommodation coordinators; federal supervisors and managers who have complicated EEO issues in the workplace; Labor and Employee Relations specialists; union representatives.

Instructors

Meghan Droste, Bob Woods, Katherine Atkinson

Daily Agenda

Monday, September 14

Basic EEOC: Nuts & Bolts: Course topics: Statutory authority and jurisdiction of EEOC; an overview of the theories of discrimination; overview of the EEO process; amended and consolidated complaints; timeliness issues in the wake of the Supreme Court decisions in Morgan and Ledbetter.

Tuesday, September 15

Contractor Complaints; Intentional Discrimination and Reprisal Cases: Course topics: The agency’s role and obligations when a contractor files an EEO complaint; intentional discrimination analysis and cases; selection and promotion cases; a focus on national origin and religious discrimination cases; reprisal analysis and case updates.

Wednesday, September 16

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities: Course topics: The Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, defining individual with a disability, understanding major life activities and substantial limitations; identifying essential job functions; the legal requirements for the interactive process; types of reasonable accommodation; the latest on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and relevant regulations.

Thursday, September 17

Current Trends in EEO Law: A Focus on Harassment: Course topics: The very latest on what’s happening in EEO; hostile environment harassment; gender stereotyping; same-sex harassment; recent court decisions on sexual orientation and transgender discrimination including the SCOTUS decision Bostock v. Clayton County; non-EEO harassment; settling EEO cases.

Friday, September 18

Mixed Cases; Damages & Remedies: Course topics: Understanding the world of mixed cases; overview of equitable remedies: back pay, front pay, reinstatement; non-pecuniary and pecuniary damages; past and future damages; damages offsets; the duty to mitigate damages; collateral sources and pre-existing conditions; multiple causations of harm; the eggshell complainant.

Pricing

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

Early Bird Tuition (register by August 31):

• 5 days = $1475
• 4 days = $1195
• 3 days = $910
• 2 days = $630
• 1 day = $345

Standard Tuition (register September 1 – 18):

• 5 days = $1550
• 4 days = $1285
• 3 days = $975
• 2 days = $685
• 1 day = $395

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through August 31.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Event Description

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

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

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

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

You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for all three. This program runs from 12:30 – 4:00 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break from 2:00 – 2:30 eastern. Participants will receive program materials via email on Monday, October 5.

Download Individual Registration Form

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles

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

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

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation

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

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report

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

Presented by Meghan Droste, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

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

Learning Objectives

Attendees will learn how to:

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

Price

• Early Bird Tuition (register by September 25): One Session = $325  |  Two Sessions = $600  |  Full Event = $850
• Standard Tuition (register September 26 – October 8): One Session = $375  |  Two Sessions = $650  |  Full Event = $900
• Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
• Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through September 25. Contact FELTG.
• REGISTER NOW.

Event FAQs

• Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
  • FELTG uses Webex to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Webex access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
• Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
  • CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees.  If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
• Can I share my access link with co-workers?
  • No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
• Can I register a teleworker?
  • This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more attendees for the full event. Group discounts are only available through September 25.

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.

Download Individual Registration Form

Event Description

Holding federal employees accountable for performance and conduct is easier than you might think. Too many supervisors believe that an employee’s protected activity (EEO complaints, whistleblower disclosures, or union activity) precludes the supervisor from initiating a suspension or removal, but that’s just not true. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even more imperative your employees are doing the work they are assigned to do, and following all workplace rules along the way.

FELTG is here to make federal supervisors’ and advisers’ lives easier by clarifying those misconceptions while helping supervisors understand how to take defensible misconduct actions quickly and fairly – actions that withstand scrutiny on appeal by the MSPB, EEOC, or in grievance arbitration. Plus, if you have an under-performing employee working for you now, we will show you the steps to take to give the employee an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance, and how to determine whether the employee is successful or should be removed. In addition, we’ll discuss how you can defend against allegations of discrimination and hostile work environment claims, and the role of the supervisor and advisor throughout the EEO process.

Join us for this three-day seminar and come away with the tools you need to hold your employees accountable, and defend every action you take.

The program runs from 12:00 – 4:30 eastern each day, with a break from 2:00 – 2:30, and when taken together days 1 & 2 meet OPM’s mandatory training requirements for federal supervisors found at 5 CFR 412.202(b).

Download Individual Registration Form

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Session 1: Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part I

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

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG President

Course Description: This program begins with a discussion on the foundations of accountability and supervisory authority in the federal government. After learning to identify the differences between performance and conduct issues, the seminar will shift the focus to discipline and misconduct theory and practice. From emphasizing the five elements of misconduct, to explaining how an agency can defend its penalty and provide the employee with due process, to a discussion on discipline procedures and appeals, the attendee will receive a thorough education on properly – and legally – handling employee misconduct issues in the federal workplace.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the differences between employee performance and misconduct issues
• Identify the five elements that must be presents in every discipline case
• Recognize the supervisor’s and advisor’s roles in disciplinary procedures and appeals

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Session 2: Accountability for Conduct and Performance, Part II

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

Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course Description: This session begins with a focus on one of the most misunderstood areas of accountability: poor performance. The conversation includes the requirements to implement a performance demonstration period, initiating and completing a performance-based action, and determining the appropriate outcome after the employee has been given an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance. From there, the discussion turns to some tricky supervisory scenarios that become less intimidating after explanation: dealing with attendance issues, properly handling the absent employee, medical removals and dealing with union issues.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the legally-required procedures to hold an employee accountable for poor performance
• Identify and implement the procedures to deal with leave abuse
• Acknowledge how dealing with employees in a bargaining unit is different than non-bargaining unit employees

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Session 3: Defending Against Discrimination Complaints: The Supervisor’s Role in EEO

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

Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor

Course Description: One of the most intimidating experiences for a federal supervisor is being named in an EEO complaint. Yet, if you are a supervisor for any length of time, there’s a good chance it will happen. This session helps to clarify the federal EEO process so supervisors understand how defend against allegations of discrimination. After an explanation of the protected EEO categories, we’ll cover what to do – and what not to do – if you’re a Responding Management Official in a complaint, and what happens if you’re called as an EEO witness. From there, the program will cover the theories of discrimination, and will provide you with the tools you need to prove your workplace actions were legitimate and non-discriminatory. You’ll sleep better at night after attending this session!

Learning Objectives

• Identify the theories of discrimination in the federal workplace
• Recognize the situations where a employees need reasonable accommodation – and your role in the process
• Understand how to successfully defend against allegations of harassment and discrimination

Pricing

Early Bird Tuition (register by September 30):

• 3 days = $1015
• 2 days = $700
• 1 day = $370

Standard Tuition (register October 1-15):

• 3 days = $1045
• 2 days = $730
• 1 day = $400

Seminar registration includes a PDF copy of the program materials, plus a hard copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 5th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins. In order to receive the textbook by the training date, please register by September 30 and provide a shipping address. Registrations received after September 30 will also receive a textbook, but materials are not guaranteed to arrive by the training date.

Event FAQs

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

• How do I receive a group rate discount?
  • Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through September 30.