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 you for these kinds of hearings. Part 1: Developing a Theory In this session you’ll learn strategies for developing a theory of the case, and […]

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 connection with “an EEO case.” As the much-repeated saying goes: We fear what we don’t understand. This class aims to lessen the fear for supervisors […]

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 your case. But discovery is fraught with potential mistakes, some of which could lead to sanctions - or even cause you to lose the case. […]

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 case, whether it’s getting witnesses ready, developing the record, objecting to documents, preparing your lines of questioning, or closing statements. Learning objectives Identify the types […]

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 time you had training on these important skills? This workshop-based class covers the fundamentals of good legal writing. Through the use of several in-class writing […]

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 to meet conduct standards due to physical or mental impairments. This course will walk you through a step-by-step process for effectively managing misconduct for employees […]

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 end? Can you discipline or PIP someone during a probationary period? On the surface, probationary periods seem rather simple. An employee is given a year […]

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 agency has a flaw in its case, it has no direct tie to liability or admissions of wrongdoing. Often, it’s the most efficient and effective […]

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 you were physically present in the office. None of these statements are true; they are AWOL myths. This training will deconstruct the mystery of Absence […]

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 and constant: If you’re going to discipline someone for what they do on their own time, you need to show a nexus between the employee’s […]

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, whether recreationally, medicinally, or “accidentally” – of marijuana. This course will review the laws that apply to Federal employees, discuss relevant MSPB cases, and share […]

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 and skills to deal with any leave-related situation. This training covers all types of leave and leave entitlements, ensuring you know when to say “yes” […]