Training Courses for Federal Employees
The benefits of an informed workforce are numerous – increased employee engagement, improved productivity, decreased employee turnover, and a safer workplace. That’s why FELTG training is not limited to federal supervisors and advisors. These courses combine FELTG’s expertise on federal employment law with practical and usable guidance for employees that will lead to better results for the agency. It’s a win-win-win for all – the agency, the employee, and the taxpayer.
If you want more information on a course, or if you’re looking for employee training on a topic not listed below, contact us.
EM-1: The Civil Civil Servant: Protections, Performance, and Conduct (1/2 – 1 day)
This class provides attendees with a full understanding of their rights and responsibilities as federal employees. Employees will learn about the merit system principles, EEO, whistleblower, and retaliation protections, as well as what will happen if their performance becomes an issue. The course will also educate employees on the various elements of disciplines and numerous other topics, including personal liability, crimes, and administrative sanctions.
Consider adding Civil Civil Servant to your onboarding program. Civil Civil Servant meets all the requirements for the mandatory No FEAR Act training for new employees.
You’ll find a more in-depth description of the training here.
Course Topics: An explanation of merit system principles, including mandatory No FEAR Act material; employee rights and responsibilities when engaging in the EEO process; whistleblower retaliation protections; performance and conduct legal rights and requirements; rights to representation; union considerations.
EM-2: Preventing and Correcting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (1/2-1 day)
The #MeToo movement has had a significant impact on the American workplace. A well-publicized EEOC report suggested that some responsibility for reporting and understanding harassment belongs to bystanders. This course will provide employees a basic grasp of workplace harassment law, and most importantly, what they should do when they are either a victim of or witness to harassment.
Course Topics: Definition of sexual harassment; circumstances that constitute harassment; roles in harassment; tangible employment actions; unwelcome conduct; the severe or pervasive standard; hostile work environment harassment; same-sex harassment; agency liability; employee responsibilities; strategies for prevention.
EM-3: Understanding Reasonable Accommodation (1/2 – 1 day)
This half- or full-day course will provide your employees with answers to their most perplexing questions about reasonable accommodation. They’ll learn in understandable terms what legal concepts like interactive process and qualified individual mean, and leave with a firm grasp on the how and why of agency reasonable accommodation decisions.
Course Topics: The law under the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act & Amendments Act; regulations; the reasonable accommodation process; the medical documentation employees are required to provide; the medical information employers cannot ask for; defining an individual with a disability; major life activities and substantial limitations; essential job functions; the interactive process; when employers can say “no” to an accommodation; confidentiality of medical information.
EM-4: Mindset Matters: Making the Transition from Individual Contributor to Supervisor (1 day)
Receiving a promotion is a career highlight. However, if that promotion means you’re now supervising your former co-workers, then it also means you’re about to navigate the trickiest part of your career. This one-day course is perfect those who have been promoted, or hope to be promoted at some point, and will cover the following competencies — leading people, resilience, decisiveness, flexibility.
Course Topics: Assessing existing managerial knowledge, skills, behaviors, and confidence; understanding the art and science behind managing others; differentiating between a general mindset, positional mindset, and job-specific mindset; understanding the traits that directly correlate with the ability to accurately assess performance; create a personal development strategy to transition to supervision.
EM-5: The High-Performing Team (1 day)
Does your agency rely on teams to get mission-critical work accomplished? Then invest in this full-day training that helps teams leverage individual personality types and strengths to promote accurate communication, diminish unhealthy conflict, and increase individual and collective performance. The High-Performing Team, led by nationally recognized leadership scholar and trainer Dr. Anthony J. Marchese, includes assessments, relevant articles and videos, real-life simulations, and practical suggestions for ongoing sustainability.
Course topics: The neuroscience behind peak performance; the composition of teams of excellence; strategies to understand and negotiate individual difference; align team goals with those of the agency.
EM-6: Handling Behavioral Health Issues and Threats of Violence in the Federal Workplace (1-2 days)
What are the warning signs that an employee may become violent? What’s the best way to intervene when you think an employee is suicidal? If you’re a bystander during a behavioral or psychiatric crisis, what should you do – or not do – to keep yourself and others safe? Licensed Clinical Social Worker Shana Palmieri will share practical and clinical guidance on how to avoid, manage and prepare for workplace crises — and properly deal with them should they occur.
Course Topics: Types of mental disabilities and how they may exhibit in the workplace; dealing with suicidal employees; dos and don’ts when working with employees who have behavioral health issues; myths and facts about targeted violence in the workplace; individual characteristics that put an employee at higher risk of committing an act of violence; steps to take if someone becomes violent in the workplace.
Upcoming Training Events
Course Description
Change happens in the world of Federal employee relations, and it often comes quickly. Those who succeed continuously sharpen their MSPB skills and refresh their knowledge. Those who don’t fall behind.
Fortunately, FELTG’s MSPB Law Week provides you with an all-encompassing week of training that offers the most effective guidance and up-to-date information available. During this engaging week of training, attendees will learn the legal requirements and best practices for disciplinary charges and penalties, understanding the law and strategy in handling performance cases, defending against whistleblower reprisal complaints, and much more.
Whether you’ve attended MSPB Law Week previously or not, you’ll leave with the foundational knowledge and cutting-edge strategies to deal with the challenges you’ll be facing in 2024. Plus, we’ll incorporate the very latest Board case law to give you an inside look at how this Board views performance and conduct issues. Join top MSPB practitioners and topic authors, and learn the law, strategies, and techniques from their many years of combined experience.
Daily Agenda
Monday, April 15
The Foundations of Accountability; Adverse Actions: Statutory basis including the Civil Service Reform Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, the five elements of every disciplinary case and the burdens of proof, the fundamentals of penalty selection and defense, discipline procedures and appeals.
Tuesday, April 16
Disciplinary Charges: Types of charges, parts of a charge, how charges are interpreted, the role of the proposing and deciding officials, capitalizing on the general charge, allowing the inclusion of lesser-included offenses, charging in the alternative, attractive options to difficult charges and common charging mistakes, proving the difficult “intent” charge element, a step by step approach to charge drafting.
Wednesday, April 17
Defensible Penalties: MSPB and Federal Circuit lead cases in penalty determination, getting “intent” penalties off of “non-intent” charges, proving harsh penalties off of vanilla charges, charging down and proving up, how the maximum penalty is established, penalty mitigation; law enforcement officer discipline.
Thursday, April 18
Handling Unacceptable Performance: Performance actions in perspective, drafting a defensible performance standard, documenting and justifying your decision to put an employee on a Performance Demonstrating Period (DPs, formerly known as PIPs), implementing DPs, defeating the DP rollercoaster; the proof needed to take a performance-based action; removing a poor performer in 31 days.
Friday, April 19
Defending Against Whistleblower Reprisal Claims and other Affirmative Defenses: Whistleblower claims: protected disclosures and whistleblower reprisal, claims of harmful error, reprisal for union activity, excessive penalty findings.
Date and Time
April 15-19, 2024
12:30 – 4:30 pm ET each day (with a 30-minute break)
Instructors
Deborah Hopkins, Ann Boehm, Bob 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 March 16):
- 5 days = $1740
- 4 days = $1505
- 3 days = $1130
- 2 days = $855
- 1 day = $525
Standard Tuition (register March 17 and later):
- 5 days = $1840
- 4 days = $1605
- 3 days = $1230
- 2 days = $955
- 1 day = $625
Seminar registration includes a copy of the textbook UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct, 5th ed., by Wiley and Hopkins. In order to receive your copy of the textbook by the training date, please register by March 29 and provide a shipping address in the designated space on the registration form.
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 March 16.
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.
Event Description
FELTG’s annual Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law has a simple mission — to ensure the Federal workplace is accountable, that it looks more like the America it serves, and that you have all of the necessary tools to make this happen. Whether you’re an HR professional, attorney, supervisor, advisor, or an EEO or ER/LR specialist, you’ll find useful guidance in multiple events this week.
This year’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law aims to help you succeed in the the Federal workplace circa 2024. We’ll guide you through the ever-changing law, share the steps for succeeding with up-and-down performers, provide guidance on how to make your team more resilient, offer tips for ensuring equity in hiring, and much more.
With 7 unique sessions over 4 days, FELTG’s Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law offers an opportunity to receive guidance with a fresh perspective. And many sessions offer opportunities to pick up CLE or EEO refresher credits.
Emerging Issues in Federal Employment Law provides benefits you just can’t get from online virtual training providers. You can register for any of the sessions individually, or you can register for the whole program. Also, the training is presented LIVE by FELTG’s experienced and respected instructors, who will answer your questions, so you get answers in real time. Don’t put off getting the important training you need.
Download Individual Registration Form
This program meets the President’s mandate to provide training on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the Federal workplace.
Download Individual Registration Form
Monday, April 22, 2024
Session 1
2 – 4 pm ET
What They’re Saying: MSPB, EEOC, and FLRA Case Law Update
Presented by Ann Boehm, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor
Course description: FELTG’s annual Emerging Issues Conference kicks off with a two-hour dive into the most significant caselaw coming out of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the Federal Circuit. These Federal employment law cases impact your day-to-day work, so join us and learn how to ensure a discrimination-free workplace and take effective action on performance and conduct that will hold up to third-party scrutiny. Earn 2 CLE credits. 
1
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Evaluate the significance of the recent case decisions in Federal employment law.
- Avoid mistakes in performance and conduct actions.
- Identify and immediately address potential discrimination.
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Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Session 2
11 am – 1 pm ET
What Exactly is Undue Hardship Anymore?
Presented by Bob Woods, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor
Course Description:The Supreme Court upended decades of precedent in its unanimous decision Groff v. DeJoy. This is a big change for the concept of undue hardship in religious accommodation, experts say. But is it really? And how does it differ when it comes to reasonable accommodations for disability or pregnancy? Mr. Woods will deconstruct the distinctions between accommodations and explain the legal ramifications of each. Earn 2 CLE credits.
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand how an agency can prove undue hardship – and how it cannot.
- Describe the differences between undue hardship for religious, disability, and pregnancy accommodations.
- Handle employees’ requests to be excused from performing certain job tasks because of religious reasons.
Session 3
2 – 4 pm ET
Driving Resilience and Mental Wellbeing in the Federal Workplace
Presented by Shana Palmieri, LCSW, FELTG Instructor
Course Description: A successful team is one that can handle unexpected and stressful situations. How do you build that kind of resilience among your employees? Ms. Palmieri will explain the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace as well as how to manage toxic and other difficult employees who derail team success.
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Understand mental well-being in the workplace.
- Reduce toxic dynamics.
- Implement strategies to retain and attract a high-functioning team.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Session 4
11 am – 1 pm ET
Equity in Hiring
Presented by Katherine Atkinson, Attorney at Law, FELTG Instructor
Course Description: This session will provide step-by-step guide for ensuring fair treatment and nondiscrimination in every phase of your hiring process, from developing selection criteria, through recruitment and all the way to the conditional offer, with a special focus on structured interviews that are fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory. You will leave this class with the keys and tools for creating a well-qualified workforce, while avoiding the mistakes that have befallen many other agencies. Plus, you’ll learn how to best defend against allegations of discriminatory hiring. Earn 2 CLE credits. 2
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Conduct effective and equitable structured interviews.
- Identify problematic interview questions.
- Recognize bias in the hiring process.
Session 5
2 – 4 pm ET
Engagement to Motivation — the FEVS and Beyond
Presented by Susan Schneider, EdM, MS, FELTG Instructor
Course description: Employee Engagement (EE) is vital to meet today’s challenges in the Federal workplace. Each year, agencies receive an EE score, based upon a survey done months before. The data is limited, particularly for regulatory organizations in the spotlight. This course describes the limitations of the EE score and examines the link between engagement, motivation, and leveraging employees’ strengths. Participants will explore realistic strategies for increasing engagement and creating tailored, timely measures of EE.
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Develop a deeper understanding of engagement and motivation.
- Explain the limitations of FEVS’ measurement of employee engagement.
- Create realistic strategies for increasing engagement, including opportunities for employees to use their strengths.
- Produce tailored and timely measures of engagement.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Session 6
11 am – 1 pm
Say Whaaat?!? Respectful Communication in the Workplace
Presented by Roslyn Brown, President/CEO at EEO Workplace Strategies
Course description: Subtle and overt language, joking, off-handed comments, and offensive comments and gestures can lead to a hostile work environment. And that includes ill-advised, even if not ill-intentioned, phrases such as “hold down the fort” and “low man on the totem pole.” Being a respectful communicator means more than just not offending anyone, it also means taking preventive measures to tailor your communication to avoid misunderstandings, irrespective of the cultural and ethnic differences that we all bring into the workplace. Roslyn Brown will not only explain why certain phrases are troublesome but show you what to do when something offensive is said. 2
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Recognize cultural expressions that are offensive to people in protected classes.
- Explain the importance of a respectful workplace in complying with the Executive Order on Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Federal workplace.
- Intervene effectively when offensive comments are made in the workplace.
Session 7
2 – 4 pm ET
Managing Chronic Performance and Conduct Issues
Presented by Deborah Hopkins, Attorney at Law, FELTG President
Course description: Whether it’s up-and-down roller coaster performers or repeat offenders of misconduct, chronically challenging employees eat up time, create workplace stress, and dampen productivity. And it will only get worse until you address the issue. FELTG President Deborah J. Hopkins will share the tools necessary to address performance issues and lay the groundwork for progressive discipline. Attendees will leave with the confidence to swiftly address poor-performing and misbehaving employees.
Course objectives
Attendees will learn how to:
- Differentiate between performance problems and misconduct.
- Manage an employee’s wide swings of performance.
- Effectively apply progressive discipline.
Registration
Download Individual Registration Form
Price
- Early Bird Tuition (register by March 22):
- Per Session = $345
- April 22-25 All Access = $1995
- Standard Tuition (register March 23-April 25)
- Per Session = $385
- April 22-25 All Access = $2295
- Rates per registrant and may not be used for groups under any circumstances. No split registrations.
Event FAQs
- Can I attend Virtual Training from my government computer?
- FELTG uses Zoom 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 2 hours of HRCI general recertification credit. The HRCI course numbers will be available upon the conclusion of the training.
- 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 March 22.
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.