Misconduct Investigations: Get Them Right From the Start
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 […]
Bad Detective: The Mistakes That Hamper Agency Investigations
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, […]
Understanding Behavioral Health Issues and Threats of Violence in the Federal Workplace
What are the warning signs that one of your coworkers may become violent? What’s the best way to intervene when you think a fellow employee is suicidal? If you’re a […]
Federal Labor-Management Relations: Working Together to Safeguard the Public Interest
Why are labor-management relations perpetually adversarial? Are agencies and unions supposed to be working together, or against each other? How can both sides get along better, as Congress intended? The […]
What’s the Difference Between a Formal Discussion and a Weingarten Meeting?
This course will discuss when the law requires you to provide the union an opportunity to be involved in agency meetings with employees, focusing on the requirements for a meeting […]
Workplace Investigations: Successfully Interviewing Witnesses With Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions
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 […]
The Civil Civil Servant: Protections, Performance, and Conduct
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 […]
The High-performing Team
Does your agency or organization rely on teams to get mission-critical work accomplished? Then invest in this training that helps teams leverage individual personality types and strengths to promote accurate […]
Mindset Matters: Making the Transition from Individual Contributor to Supervisor
Receiving a promotion is a career highlight. However, if that promotion means you’re now supervising your former coworkers, then it also means you’re about to navigate the trickiest part of […]
Understanding Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
This course will provide employees with answers to their most perplexing questions about reasonable accommodation. They’ll leave with a firm grasp on the how and why of agency reasonable accommodation […]
Preventing Workplace Harassment
In recent years, harassment in the workplace has become more public than ever before. And when left unaddressed, it’s one of the top reasons agencies lose good employees. This course […]
Mandatory Permissive Bargaining: What Does That Really Mean?
Executive Order 14003 rescinded limitations on collective bargaining and instructed agency leaders that they “shall elect to negotiate over the subjects set forth in 5 USC 7106(b)(1) and shall instruct […]
The Role of the Douglas Factors in Arbitration
Did you know that an arbitrator, much like a Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) judge, has the authority to mitigate a penalty if it is outside the bounds of reasonableness? […]
Who’s In, Who’s Out? Understanding Bargaining Unit Exclusions
The Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute defines the types of positions that must be excluded from the bargaining units. But in the modern workforce, those definitions aren’t always entirely clear. […]
Preparing to Bargain
Whether you’re currently preparing to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement, or if it’s a year down the road, now is always the best time to ensure that you’re ready for […]
Handling Union Requests for Information
Just about every Federal labor relations professional has dealt with a union request for information, but they may not have handled it correctly. This training will help anyone dealing with […]
Labor Relations: Understanding Management and Employee Rights
Working in labor relations requires a firm foundation of the statute, historical perspective, and FLRA decisions, plus an understanding of agency and union rights and responsibilities. Whether you’re new to […]
Labor Relations: Understanding Unfair Labor Practices and Negotiability
5 U.S.C. § 7116(a) lists eight agency ULPs and 5 U.S.C. § 7116(b) lists eight labor organization ULPs, which will be covered in full detail during this class. This training […]
Fundamentals of Federal Labor Relations: Nuts and Bolts
Do you have someone on your staff who is working with unions for the first time? Do you have seasoned LR/ER practitioners looking for a refresher? Did employees in your […]
Handling Grievances and Arbitration
Arbitration in the Federal government is a very different process than in the private sector, and it requires an understanding of not only the collective bargaining agreement, but also the […]
Navigating Negotiability Issues
Negotiability may be the most complex topic in Federal sector labor relations, and an understanding of which topics are negotiable, and which topics are not, is fundamental to determining the […]
Effective Negotiation Techniques and Strategies
It’s time for negotiations, and it’s critical not only that you know the current law, but that you have the right skills and know how to choose wisely your words […]
Labor Relations Meetings, Official Time, and ULPs
Not all meetings are created equally. In fact, some meetings can get your supervisors in trouble, despite their good intentions. This training will cover everything you need to know about […]
Legal Writing Skills for LR Practitioners
Whether you’ve been to law school or not, you can always use a refresher on legal writing, especially if you work in the specialized and sometimes arcane-sounding world of Federal […]
Damages and Remedies in Federal Sector EEO Cases
A fundamental rule in findings of discrimination is to, as nearly as possible, place the victim in the position that person would have occupied but for the discrimination. But how? There’s no […]
Winning EEO Cases Through Summary Judgment
Unlike the MSPB, the EEOC allows parties to file motions for summary judgment, potentially eliminating the need for a time-consuming, expensive, and risky hearing. Yet, many agencies fail to take […]
Navigating the Morass of Mixed Cases
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 […]
These are the Cases You Really Should Settle
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 […]
What Exactly is Undue Hardship Anymore?
The Supreme Court upended decades of precedent in its unanimous 2023 decision Groff v. DeJoy. It’s a big change for the concept of undue hardship in religious accommodation, according to […]
Discovery Done Right: Avoiding Sanctions Before the MSPB and EEOC
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 […]
Handling Cases Before the MSPB, the EEOC, and in Arbitration: Best Practices for Representatives
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. […]
Hearing Advocacy: Presenting Cases Before the MSPB and EEOC
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 […]
How Supervisors Can Successfully Navigate the EEO Process
Your heart suddenly beats faster, and your blood pressure rises to a dangerous level. It could be a health issue. Or possibly, you may have heard your name mentioned in […]
Conducting Effective Discovery
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 […]
Administrative Hearings and Witness Preparation
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 […]
Writing for the Win: Legal Writing in Federal Sector EEO Cases
Letters of acceptance/dismissal. Settlement agreements. Final agency decisions. Motions for summary judgment. Reports of investigation. Let’s face it, your job requires a lot of writing. Yet when was the last […]
Dealing With Medical Issues in Misconduct Cases
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 […]
Everything You Need to Know About Probationary Periods
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 […]
Drafting Enforceable and Legally Sufficient Settlement Agreements
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 […]
Feds Gone AWOL: What to Do When Employees Don’t Show Up
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 […]
Got Nexus? Accountability for Off-duty Conduct
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 […]
Up in Smoke? Marijuana and the Federal Workplace
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, […]
Absence Management: Controlling Leave Use and Abuse
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 […]
Accountability for Conduct and Performance
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, […]
Drafting Legally Sufficient Discipline and Performance Documents
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. […]
Fundamentals of MSPB: Nuts and Bolts
This course is an excellent introduction for those new to the field, as well as those trying to align their actions and policies with the most current case law, regulations, […]
Maximizing Accountability in Performance
Wouldn’t it be nice if you had an appraisal system that helped managers effectively and quickly deal with unacceptable performance in the Federal workplace – and survive third-party review? Believe […]
Charges and Penalties Under MSPB Law
Drafting appropriate charges and choosing a defensible penalty are two crucial parts of the disciplinary process. FELTG is here to make sure you have the tools you need to make the right […]
Taking Defensible Misconduct-based Actions
If you’re confused, uncertain, or even timid about holding employees accountable for misconduct, this is the class for you. We’ll provide a step-by-step process for taking successful and defensible misconduct-based […]
Handling Unacceptable Performance and Taking Performance-based Actions
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 […]
Advanced MSPB Law: Navigating Complex Issues
Do you want to take your knowledge and understanding of MSPB law to a new level? Want to confidently address the knotty Federal employment law issues that challenge even the […]
Managing and Supporting Employees with Bipolar Disorder
An estimated 2.8% of the U.S. population experiences the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which carries a stigma and corresponding myths and misconceptions. To help employees be successful in the Federal […]
Preventing and Correcting Hostile Work Environment Harassment
A lot of employees think all hostile work environment cases involve sexual harassment. That is not true – a number of other EEO categories may be implicated in allegations of […]
Roller-Coaster Employees: Managing Up-and-down Performance
You put a struggling employee on a Performance Demonstration Period (DP), what some agencies refer to as a PIP, and he does well enough to stay in his position. Then […]
Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation
This training focuses on one of the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities – telework. It turns out telework may also be one of the […]
The Union Doesn’t Get to Attend Every Meeting
Why do unions have the right to attend formal discussions? Why did Congress use the word “formal?” What does “formal” mean? Are there other types of meetings the union has […]
Why Supervisors Need to Use the Douglas Factors
If you’re not using the Douglas factor analysis to figure out an appropriate penalty for a misbehaving employee, then you’re doing it wrong. A scan of MSPB cases reveals how regularly Federal […]
Handling Teleworker Performance and Conduct Challenges
Telework isn’t for everyone, and some employees will struggle regardless of whether they’re at home or in an office. Unacceptable performance and misconduct should never be overlooked. This class will […]
Managing a Potentially Suicidal Employee
As suicide rates rise across the country, the impact is being felt in the workplace. Learning how to correctly manage an employee’s suicidal crisis and ideations is increasingly important. Knowing […]
You Want Accountability? Avoid These Too-Common Mistakes
There is one action you can take to boost your agency’s FEVS scores, increase morale, and improve productivity, and it’s this: Do a better job holding employees accountable for performance […]
Conducting Fact-finding Investigations
Most agencies are committed to providing a work environment free of misconduct, including discrimination and harassment. It’s important to investigate misconduct at the earliest possible stage. The goal of this […]
Driving Resilience and Mental Wellbeing in the Federal Workplace
A successful team is one that can handle unexpected and stressful situations. How do you build that kind of resilience among your employees? This class explains the importance of mental […]
Managing Chronic Performance and Conduct Issues
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. This class shares the tools necessary to […]
Managing High-conflict Personalities in the Workplace
Want to reduce conflict, increase productivity, and limit absenteeism, turnover, and even removals? That’s impossible, you say. Maybe not. Participants will learn how to recognize employees with high-conflict personalities, whether it’s […]
The Supervisor’s Role in the EEO Counseling and Investigative Process
An employee requested telework as a reasonable accommodation. As the employee’s supervisor, you reviewed the request and denied it. Now the employee has claimed discrimination. What do you do next? […]
Supervising in a Unionized Environment
Does it sometimes feel like there are different rules for employees in unions? Well, there are. And if you supervise bargaining unit employees, you need to know those rules. This […]
The Performance Equation: Providing Feedback That Makes a Difference
Don’t let anxiety, frustration, or confusion prevent you from having honest performance-related discussions with your employees. Providing feedback effectively is a skill that can — and should — be developed. […]
The New Federal Workplace: Telework and Hybrid Work Challenges
With some people working remotely and others onsite, how do you ensure that you hold all employees accountable for performance – and how do you ensure that it’s done fairly? […]
UnCivil Servant: The Next Level
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 […]
Effectively Managing and Communicating with Employees
This course is built upon the premise that a one-size-fits-all approach to managing others is ineffective. Learn how to understand and leverage individual differences to develop a meaningful management methodology […]
Leave-related Discipline and Medical Removals
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 […]
Mentoring Matters
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. […]
The Supervisor’s Role in EEO
For many Federal supervisors, the EEO process is mysterious and foreboding. With this course, FELTG aims to make it less so. FELTG’s experienced instructors describe the supervisor’s role in detail […]
Developing and Defending Discipline: Holding Federal Employees Accountable
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 […]
UnCivil Servant: Holding Employees Accountable for Performance and Conduct
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 […]
EEO Compliance Training
When the EEOC issues a finding of discrimination, harassment, reprisal, or failure to accommodate, it’s common for the Commission to order mandatory compliance training for the offenders. Sometimes, the orders […]
Addressing Age Discrimination in the Federal Workplace
A reference to dinosaurs, a joke about retirement, or the snide “OK Boomer” – nothing wrong with that if it’s said in fun, right? Wrong! And if you think those […]
Avoiding the Dangers of EEO Reprisal
When a complaint is filed with your agency’s EEO office, it’s possible that something very wrong has happened. And it’s possible nothing happened at all. Yet, how agency officials respond […]
Avoiding Mistakes in Selection and Promotion Cases
Selection and promotion processes can be emotional, especially for those who aren’t selected. If you’re a Federal EEO practitioner or supervisor, chances are you’ve had a case where an employee […]
Barking Up the Wrong Tree? Service and Emotional Support Animals in the Workspace
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 […]
Dealing with ‘Other’ Harassment: It’s Not Always About EEO
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 […]
The Dos and Don’ts of Reasonable Accommodation for Pregnant Employees
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 […]
Disability Accommodation: Navigating the Interactive Process
Potential reasonable accommodations should be discussed by the employee and the agency, through what the EEOC refers to as “the interactive process.” So, what exactly does the interactive process involve? […]
The Reasonable Accommodation Mistakes Agencies Make
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 […]
Revisiting Existing Reasonable Accommodations
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 […]
Accommodating Invisible Disabilities in the Federal Workplace
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 […]
Eliminating Microaggressions and Bias in the Workplace
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 […]
Promoting Inclusion: Pronoun Use and Gender Identity in the Workplace
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 […]
Understanding and Managing Employees with Behavioral Health Issues
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 […]
When Contractors File EEO Complaints: Questions and Answers for Federal Agencies
If a contractor files an EEO complaint against your agency, is your agency liable? Don’t say “No” quite so quickly. The Federal sector EEO process is not exclusively limited to […]
Assessing Risk and Taking Action: Threats and Violence in the Workplace
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 […]
Creating Inclusivity: Neurodivergence in the Workplace
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 […]
Nondiscriminatory Hiring in the Federal Workplace
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 […]
Setting the Bar: Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
It’s one thing to say you support DEIA efforts at your agency, but how do you do that? This training will provide the foundation you need to jumpstart your DEIA […]
Advanced EEO: Navigating Complex Issues
When EEO challenges arise, they rarely show up as run-of-the-mill simple scenarios you’ve worked through in a training class. Are you an EEO professional, attorney or advisor eager to learn how to more […]
Fundamentals of EEO: Nuts and Bolts
If you haven’t played a role in any part of the Federal EEO process, it might seem like an overwhelming mystery. This class explains, in practical terms, everything you need […]
Medical Exams and Inquiries under the ADA and GINA
Did you know that the innocent release of medical information can result in an expensive decision against an agency even if no actual harm was done to the employee? This […]
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities: What You Need to Know
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? […]
EEO Counselor and Investigator Refresher Training
Are you looking for a convenient and engaging way to pick up your mandatory annual refresher training hours? Are you interested in useful, timely, and up-to-date guidance where you can […]
Writing Reports of Investigation and Final Agency Decisions
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. Choose […]
EEOC Counselor 32-hour Initial Training
FELTG’s 32-hour EEO counselor training provides the mandatory initial training for new counselors that’s required by EEOC, and much more. The course is taught over four 8-hour days but can […]
Designing Inclusive, Healthy and Connected Workplaces Across a Distance
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 […]
Helping Supervisors Navigate the EEO Process
Your heart suddenly beats faster, and your blood pressure rises exponentially. It could be a health issue. Or possibly, you may have heard your name mentioned in connection with “an […]