Employee Relations

FELTG’s flagship course UnCivil Servant empowers Federal supervisors and advisers to confidently handle the challenges that come with supervising in the Federal workplace. It shatters misconceptions about performance and misconduct-based actions and gives you simple step-by-step guidance for taking swift, appropriate, and legally defensible actions. Wednesday, February 12: Accountability for Conduct and …

Maybe you envision yourself donning a Sherlock Holmes hat and cape. Or, perhaps, your model is the masterful Benoit Blanc of Knives Out Mystery fame. If only the work of a Federal administrative investigation was as easy as these fictional detectives make their jobs seem. Instead, there are more than …

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 shares the tools necessary to address performance issues and lays the …

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 …

Your agency has ordered some employees to return to the physical workplace, and one of them hasn’t shown up for work for three days straight. He hasn’t contacted his supervisor either. Is the best way to discipline the employee to charge him with AWOL?  What if he comes up with …

Want to reduce conflict, increase productivity, and limit absenteeism, turnover, and even removals? That’s impossible, you say. Maybe not, if you learn how to effectively manage individuals whose behavior repeatedly generates workplace conflict. This two-hour presentation teaches how to recognize employees with high-conflict personalities, whether it’s individuals who blame their peers …

Antisemitism is never acceptable. However, recent remarks by celebrities, athletes, and news networks have made antisemitism seem more commonplace, in all facets of life, including the workplace. Title VII makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on, among other things, religion. However, this is one of the protected categories …

Could use of pronouns or names that are inconsistent with an individual’s gender identity be considered discrimination or harassment? Yes. In certain circumstances. Gender identity and related topics are so important that in June 2022 the EEOC introduced a nonbinary gender marker for people to use during the intake process, …

The borderline between on-duty and off-duty became blurred in recent years with the omnipresence of social and media and many employees working from home. Yet, one thing has remained clear and constant: If you’re going to discipline someone for what they do on their own time, you need to show …

For many, it’s the most difficult and unpredictable part of the workplace investigation — conducting the interview. This is especially the case when the witness has suffered trauma. And it’s likely to happen, considering these sobering statistics: Seven to eight percent will have PTSD at some point in their lifetimes. …

Every agency has employees who struggle with performance, but there is a reliable solution for addressing unacceptable performance. A successful Performance Demonstrate Period (DP) will either lead to sustained improved performance or a defensible performance-based removal or demotion. This fast-paced class guides you through the critical steps to reaching that …

Whether it’s a disgruntled employee or customer, or a domestic issue that follows an employee to work, workplaces are at a distinct risk of violent incidents. And that risk may be heightened when it’s a Federal workplace. How do you prepare yourself to protect the lives of those around you? …

Learn how to prepare an engaging and effective case, targeted to the appropriate forum: MSPB or EEOC. This class will methodically describe the keys of each step in prepping your case, whether it’s getting witnesses ready, developing the record, objecting to documents, preparing your lines of questioning, or closing statements. …

Federal employees enjoy a wide variety of leave-related benefits. And sometimes they enjoy a little too much leave. Can you discipline, or even remove, an employee for using too much leave? Or, what do you do if the employee just doesn’t show up for work? Let FELTG take you through …

The Office of Personnel Management has been a champion of mentoring programs across the government because it sees mentors as instrumental in maximizing learning and development and improving employee retention. Do you agree, but don’t know where to start? This class will provide a comprehensive overview of mentoring, include guidance …

Holding Federal employees accountable for performance and conduct is easier than you might think. Too many supervisors believe that an employee’s protected activity precludes the supervisor from initiating a suspension or removal, but that’s just not true. Part 1: Accountability for Performance and Conduct FELTG is here to make Federal supervisors’ lives easier …

FELTG’s flagship course UnCivil Servant empowers Federal supervisors and advisers to confidently handle the challenges that come with supervising in the Federal workplace. It shatters misconceptions about performance and misconduct-based actions and gives you simple step-by-step guidance for taking swift, appropriate, and legally defensible actions. We begin with a discussion of accountability …

Most of us know something about service animals, but what about emotional support animals, comfort animals, and the like? Are they permitted in the workplace? The EEOC’s stance that an emotional support animal may be a required reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability, even if it is not a …

Not everyone has the same definition of “harassment.” While most professionals recognize harassment that violates Title VII, some employees consider it harassment when supervisors provide critical performance feedback or assign work. In between, there are threatening, intimidating, and disturbing acts that are unrelated to protected classes, but nonetheless may be non-EEO …

This training focuses on a new law that just went into effect in 2023: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which requires agencies to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who have medical restrictions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. This training will answer the following questions: What are your …

If you’ve ever used undue hardship to deny an accommodation request or asked for more information from an employee’s doctor, we have two words for you: Uh oh. Oftentimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes. But not when it comes to reasonable accommodation law. This course provides …

You’ve gone through the interactive process and come up with a reasonable accommodation that both you and the employee think will be effective. Are you done? Not even close. And what happens if a new supervisor comes in and wants to change a long-standing accommodation? Over time, certain accommodations will …

From chronic pain and chronic fatigue to depression and diabetes, disabilities are not always visible or obvious in the workplace. And the number of employees with hidden or invisible disabilities continues to grow. This course explains how to properly navigate the laws, regulations, and EEOC guidance while taking a commonsense …

What is a microaggression? Can microaggressions ever rise to the level of unlawful workplace harassment? And if they aren’t acts of discrimination, why should you care? During this training, FELTG will explain what microaggressions look like it in their various forms — microinsults, microassaults, and microinvalidations. Plus, we’ll discuss how …

Could use of pronouns or names that are inconsistent with an individual’s gender identity be considered discrimination or harassment? Yes, in certain circumstances. This session will explain how and why proper pronoun use, name use, and recognition of employee gender identity in the workplace is more than just a liability …

If one of your agency’s employees had a mental health crisis in the workplace, would you know what to do? And with many employees still working remotely, how would you even know? One in six workers are experiencing mental health problems at any given time, according to recent studies. This …

UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct has empowered thousands of Federal supervisors and advisers to confidently and effectively address unacceptable performance and misconduct. Now it’s time to take those learned skills to a new level. This interactive, workshop-based training tackles the intersection of performance and conduct issues with other …

Research estimates that around 1% of the population has an autism spectrum disorder, between 5-9% are estimated to have a learning disability, and just under 10% have a diagnosis of ADHD. The ability to recruit and retain neurodivergent employees will make your agency more diverse — and effective. This training …

Hurry through the Federal hiring process, and not only are you likely to make a mistake in hiring, but you may also end up without sufficient documentation to combat a discrimination complaint. Per Executive Order, your agency should have already taken steps to “advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” and …

How do you determine if an employee has a disability? What does qualified individual mean? What exactly is the interactive process? Do you have to approve telework as an accommodation? And how does the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Amendments Act, and the Rehabilitation Act apply to your agency? This …

In the world of Federal employment law, discovery is an integral part of the litigation process. Discovery is your opportunity to obtain the information and documents that are critical to your case. But discovery is fraught with potential mistakes, some of which could lead to sanctions – or even cause …

Whether you’re representing your agency before the Merit Systems Protection Board or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, there is one ultimate goal: Win the case. This interactive course will prepare you for these kinds of hearings. Part 1: Developing a Theory In this session you’ll learn strategies for developing a …

Litigating cases in Federal sector employment law is a unique prospect and isn’t for the unprepared. In addition, taking a case to arbitration is also a world of its own. This training focuses on providing tips to practice effectively and successfully in administrative hearings before the MSPB, EEOC, and in …

Discovery is a critical and effective part of any litigation – when conducted properly. Annoying and abusive discovery techniques could have negative consequences, and possibly even lead to sanctions. From disrespect and profanity in depositions to the other party refusing to produce requested documents, it’s important to be prepared for …

We get it. You don’t want to look like you did something wrong. But here’s the thing: Settling a case does not mean there were flaws in your case, nor is it an admittance of liability or wrongdoing. This training will explain why so many disputes are settled and why …

With more Federal employees working remotely, the nature of the Federal workplace has changed. This class will help you design work structures for wellbeing while cultivating a culture of civility and respect. This workshop will provide you with practical, easy-to-implement data-driven insights plus tools and resources that empower high-performing, engaged …

Few things create as much confusion among even experienced Federal attorneys, EEO specialists, or HR professionals as mixed cases. FELTG is here to help. This training 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 …

There are numerous examples of investigations that have gone awry. It could be an investigator’s failure to interview certain witnesses, a failure to take a complainant’s statement into account, or, perhaps, an action, such as a widely shared email, that shows a lack of objectivity. This course will provide guidance …

Any effective misconduct investigation starts with a solid foundation of the law and an understanding of the full scope of your investigation. This class explains the principles that underpin a successful investigation of Federal employee misconduct, including harassment.  You’ll leave with guidance on developing the investigation, from creating a plan …

The most difficult and unpredictable part of the workplace investigation – conducting the interview – can be especially challenging when the witness has a behavioral or mental health condition, or violent tendencies. This course will explain temperament traits and personality disorders and provide a road map to help you understand how to …

When it comes to unacceptable performance, the one action you can’t afford to take is not acting. Yet, when you do take a performance-based action, there are limitless mistakes that can trip you up and result in lost appeals. In this course, you’ll learn how to avoid the mistakes routinely made when …

With the rise in mental health diagnoses, substance abuse disorders, and the physical challenges that come with an aging workforce, Federal supervisors can expect a corresponding increase in employees failing to meet conduct standards due to physical or mental impairments. This course will walk you through a step-by-step process for …

What if you are unable to make an appropriate determination at the end of an employee’s probationary period? Must you notify employees when their probationary periods are coming to an end? Can you discipline or PIP someone during a probationary period? On the surface, probationary periods seem rather simple. An …

Most Federal agencies settle employment disputes — whether they initiate as grievances, EEO complaints, or as appeals of agency disciplinary actions. While it’s common to assume that settlement means the agency has a flaw in its case, it has no direct tie to liability or admissions of wrongdoing. Often, it’s …

You can’t discipline an employee for AWOL unless it has reached a certain number of days. Employees can’t be removed for AWOL. You can’t be charged AWOL for time that you were physically present in the office. None of these statements are true; they are AWOL myths. This training will …

The borderline between on-duty and off-duty has become increasingly blurred with the omnipresence of social media and many employees working flexible hours from home. Yet, one thing has remained clear and constant: If you’re going to discipline someone for what they do on their own time, you need to show …

Between President Biden’s pardon for people convicted of simple possession of marijuana and the growing legalization movement, we have received a lot of questions regarding Federal employees and their use, whether recreationally, medicinally, or “accidentally” – of marijuana. This course will review the laws that apply to Federal employees, discuss …

Is there a more maddening or confusing element of workplace management than navigating the alphabet soup of employee leave – AWOL, LWOP, FMLA, PPL, etc.? This class imparts the knowledge and skills to deal with any leave-related situation. This training covers all types of leave and leave entitlements, ensuring you …

One of the quickest ways to damage workplace morale is when employees see a coworker getting away with unacceptable performance or misconduct. The less you look away from these problems, the more likely it is for good employees to stay. This class offers an immersion into accountability principles, regardless of …

Legal writing in Federal sector employment law is a specialized craft. Attend this one-day training to ensure that your cases are not lost because of poorly or ambiguously written documents. FELTG will help you sharpen the skills you need to produce effective, defensible, and legally sound discipline and performance documents, …