EEO Training Courses
The realm of Equal Employment Opportunity is as vast and diverse as the people it represents. FELTG offers onsite programs to train EEO attorneys, practitioners and supervisors on the strategies, principles, and authorities relative to federal sector discrimination law. These courses can be modified to meet the legal requirements of executive and legislative branch agencies.
EEO-1: Fundamentals of Federal EEO: Nuts & Bolts (1 day)
If you haven’t played a role in any part of the federal EEO process, it likely seems a mystery. This one-day class spells out everything you need to know to have a fundamental understanding of federal EEO. We’ll guide you through each step of the process, from pre-complaint counseling to formal complaints to EEOC Hearings, and you’ll leave class with a thorough understanding of the various types of workplace discrimination.
Course Topics: Statutory authority and jurisdiction of EEOC; theories of discrimination; overview of the EEO process; amended and consolidated complaints; timeliness issues.
EEO-2: Reasonable Accommodation under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act: What You Need to Know (1-3 days)
How do you determine if an employee is disabled? What does qualified individual mean? What exactly is the interactive process? This course will provide answers to those questions, and then dive into some of the most perplexing reasonable accommodation challenges, including requests to telework, leave as accommodation, who chooses the accommodation, invisible disabilities, and more.
Course Topics: The Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act; Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) regulations; defining an individual with a disability; major life activities and substantial limitations; essential job functions; the interactive process; types of reasonable accommodation; telework as reasonable accommodation.
EEO-3: Understanding Sexual Harassment and other Hostile Environment Claims (1/2 – 1 day)
The #MeToo movement has brought about a greater understanding of the impact of this reprehensible harassing behavior, as well as the importance of taking action rather than ignoring it. Join us for this half- or full-day session as we explain – in clear terms – the law on sexual harassment and other hostile environment claims in federal agencies. Learn when your agency could be considered liable, what you can and should be doing to prevent it, and what is required for corrective action to be prompt and effective.
Course Topics: The elements of a claim; unwelcome conduct that leads to hostile environment claims; severe or pervasive standard; tangible employment actions; the EEO process; mitigating agency liability; taking corrective action; disciplining the offender.
EEO-4: Medical Exams & Inquiries under the ADA & GINA (1 day)
Did you know that the innocent release of medical information can result in an expensive decision against an agency even if no harm was done to the employee? Understanding how the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Amendments Act, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act impact the collection of medical information is important. This full-day training will explain when pre- and post-employment exams and inquiries are permitted; who should – and should not be – be collecting and managing medical information, and much more.
Course Topics: Collection of employee medical information; conditional offers of employment; medical documentation requests for reasonable accommodation; direct threat and other medical conditions; the “regarded as” provision of the ADA.
EEO-5: Compensatory Damages & Other Remedies in EEO (1 day)
A principle rule in findings of discrimination is to place the victim in the position that person would have occupied but for the discrimination. This is easier said than done, because there’s no way to undo the harm caused by illegal employment discrimination. Even still, damages and remedies is a topic that every EEO practitioner needs to understand, whether they’re preparing for hearing or negotiating a settlement.
Course Topics: Equitable remedies: back pay, front pay, reinstatement; nonpecuniary 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.
EEO-6: Writing Reports of Investigation and Final Agency Decisions (2 days)
This workshop-based program will provide you with the skills and confidence to be more effective in writing reports of investigation and final agency decisions that will withstand third-party scrutiny. Learn how to organize your report and write for your audience and use accepted reporting style and legal writing conventions to ensure your ROI or FAD is clear, effective, and legally sound.
Course Topics: Statutory jurisdiction; EEO complaint process; theories of discrimination; dismissing EEO Complaints; accepting and identifying claims; legal sufficiency; the mechanics of drafting a FAD.
EEO-7: Conducting EEO Investigations (1-5 days)
If your agency decides not to dismiss a complaint, you will then have 180 days to do a thorough investigation of that complaint. What are you required to do? How do you ensure that you complete an effective investigation? And what does the end of the investigation look like? We can do a comprehensive deep dive into the process over four days, or we can provide focused training on topics such as interview techniques or writing the investigative report.
Course Topics: EEOC statutory authority; EEO claims and elements of EEO cases; agency defenses and liability; interview techniques and skills; types of witnesses; writing the investigative report.
Note: The 4- and 5-day classes meet the 32-hour training requirement for EEO Investigators.
EEO-8: EEO Counselor Refresher Training (1 day)
As an EEO counselor, you are required by the EEOC to take an 8-hour annual refresher course. Don’t take training just to check the box. Use this opportunity to refine your counseling skills and improve your EEO knowledge. In FELTG’s refresher training, experienced instructors will cover the content required by the EEOC and share with you the most critical recent case law, regulations, and other legal developments.
Course Topics: May include theories of discrimination; relevant case law; the counseling processes; reasonable accommodation; writing effective reports; current trends in EEO law.
EEO-9: EEO Investigator Refresher Training (1 day)
As an EEO investigator, you are required by the EEOC to take an 8-hour annual refresher course. Don’t take training just to check the box. Use this opportunity to refine your investigatory skills and improve your EEO knowledge. In FELTG’s refresher training, experienced instructors will cover the content required by the EEOC and share with you the most critical recent case law.
Course Topics: Topics may include theories of discrimination; relevant case law; the investigation process; interviewing difficult witnesses; types of questioning; understanding evidence; writing effective reports; current trends in EEO law.
EEO-10: EEO Counselor/Investigator Initial Training (up to 5 days)
FELTG’s five-day initial counselor and investigator training provides the mandatory 32-hour initial training for new counselors and investigators required by EEOC, and much more. Our experienced instructors will explain EEO law in easy-to-understand terms and help you develop the skills necessary to be an effective counselor or investigator.
Course Topics for Counselors: Course Topics: Introduction to EEO Counseling; EEO Counselor approach; qualifications of a good EEO Counselor; purpose of EEO Counseling; duties of an EEO Counselor; the Counselor’s role when ADR is elected; interviewing the Counselee; Interviewing the RMO; theories of discrimination; the federal EEO complaint process; writing the EEO Counselor’s Report.
Course Topics for Investigators: Understanding the EEO process and timelines; theories of discrimination; qualifications of a good EEO Counselor; purpose of the EEO investigation; duties of an EEO Investigator; interviewing witnesses; Interviewing the RMO; employee rights to representation; writing the Report of Investigation.
Upcoming EEO Training Events
Course Description
An increase in reasonable accommodations requests based on religion and disability. Pandemic-related civil rights crises. Increased discussion of diversity and inclusion. Way too many harassment complaints. Talk of changes to the EEO process. If you’ve thought about registering for FELTG’s EEOC Law Week in the past, now is the time to act on it. This weeklong virtual training is updated for 2023, including the latest on COVID-related challenges and workplace harassment.
This in-depth training overs the gamut of EEO issues, and provides usable guidance for all practitioners, regardless of experience level. 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.
And it provides the required material for EEO counselors and investigators to receive refresher training hours.
3.5 per day
Monday, September 25
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 26
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; reprisal analysis and case updates.
Wednesday, September 27
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 28
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 29
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.
Date and Time
September 25-29, 2023
12:30 – 4:30 pm ET each day (with a 30-minute break)
Instructors
Katherine Atkinson, Ann Boehm, Robert Woods
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
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 September 8):
- 5 days = $1595
- 4 days = $1365
- 3 days = $995
- 2 days = $725
- 1 day = $395
Standard Tuition (register September 9-29):
- 5 days = $1695
- 4 days = $1465
- 3 days = $1095
- 2 days = $825
- 1 day = $495
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom for this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event. Group discounts are available through September 8.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.
Course Description
Investigating harassment in your Federal agency can be an intimidating assignment, one that is rife with innuendo, conflicting accounts, and raw emotions. Ensuring that your investigation is legally compliant and protects employees, while helping the agency minimize liability, is a taxing task.
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. Learn to conduct investigations virtually, as more are done since the pandemic. And much more.
This open enrollment FELTG Virtual Training Institute program Conducting Effective Harassment Investigations offers opportunities to ask questions of FELTG’s experienced instructors, and get answers in real time. Plus, this program fulfills the requirements for 8-hour annual EEO investigator refresher training.
You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for all three. This program runs from 1:00 – 4:30 eastern each day, with a 30-minute break midway.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Session 1: Investigating Harassment: Misconduct Principles
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (30-minute break midway)
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 into 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 4, 2023
Session 2: Understanding Harassment and Planning the Investigation
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (30-minute break midway)
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 5, 2023
Session 3: Conducting the Investigation and Writing the Report
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm eastern (30-minute break midway)
Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor
Course description: Attorney Katherine Atkinson will share legal principles and proven guidance to navigate this most critical and challenging part of harassment investigations: conducting the interviews and gathering relevant evidence. Attendees will leave the session with techniques for questioning, tools for reading body language, suggestions on how to handle difficult personality types, and tips for writing the fact-finding report (FFR) and report of investigation (ROI). Ms. Atkinson will also share how technology is changing the investigation process, including a 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.
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Price
- Early Bird Tuition (register by September 18): One Session = $395 | Two Sessions = $725 | Full Event = $995
- Standard Tuition (register September 19 or later): One Session = $495 | Two Sessions = $825 | Full Event = $1095
- Rates per registrant. No split registrations permitted.
- Want to register a group? Group discounts are available through September 18. Contact FELTG.
- REGISTER NOW.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom to broadcast this Virtual Training Institute event. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If for some reason your firewall will not allow access, you’re welcome to use your personal email address to register, and to attend the sessions from your personal device.
- Can I earn CLE credits for this class?
- CLE applications are the responsibility of each attendee; FELTG does not apply for the credits on behalf of attendees. If you are seeking CLE credit, attendees may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. Attendees may also request a certificate of completion which will contain the number of training hours attended.
- Can I share my access link with co-workers?
- No. Registration for this event is per individual, and access links may not be shared. Each link may only be used by one person.
- Can I register a teleworker?
- This event is individual registration, so the cost is the same whether the person is teleworking or in an agency facility.
- How do I receive a group rate discount?
- Group rates are available for agencies registering 10 or more attendees for the full event. Group discounts are available through September 18.
Cancellation and No-show Policy for Registered Participants: Cancellations made after the cancel date on the registration form will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. Pre-paid training using the “Pay Now” option will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses. No-shows will not be refunded or given credit toward future courses.