Absence, Leave Abuse and Medical Issues Week – August 24-28, 2026

Whether you’re an HR professional, Employee Relations practitioner, EEO specialist, supervisor, agency counsel, or union rep, you have undoubtedly faced a leave-related challenge or two. And chances are, you may have struggled with some complicated scenarios. Leave and medical issues create a complex and seemingly burdensome issue, one often laced with emotion and intersecting – even conflicting – laws.

Monday, August 24: Understanding Federal Leave Categories and Processes

During day one, we begin with an overview of the Federal leave categories, covering everything from annual leave to parental bereavement to sick leave, plus leave without pay and FMLA. The discussion will focus on which leave categories are discretionary and which are entitlements, and will identify the limitations on each type of leave.

Tuesday, August 25: Leave-related Discipline and Medical Removals

Today’s class will provide you with the foundation for connecting employee leave abuse with discipline. You’ll leave with knowledge of the documentation necessary to discipline employees and the tools to hold them accountable. Plus, you’ll learn about the three approaches to remove an employee whose medical condition makes them unable to perform their job: AWOL, excessive absence, and medical inability to perform.

Wednesday, August 26: Reasonable Accommodation: Entitlements and Processes

This session will tackle the often complicated intersection between leave and disability accommodation. You’ll come away with a grounding in reasonable accommodation and the tools necessary for determining whether leave, flexible work schedules, or alternative work locations are effective accommodations.

Thursday, August 27: Medical Documentation, Medical Requests and Record Confidentiality

How do you make a decision on an employee’s request for accommodation without seeing his/her/their medical documentation? Who collects that information? Where does it go? And how do you determine if an employee with a medical condition is a direct threat? This training focuses on the correct handling and requesting of all things related to medical information, including medical exams and inquiries during the pre-and post-employment processes.

Friday, August 28: Managing Telework and Hybrid Workers

Telework is not just one of the most commonly requested accommodations for individuals who have physical and mental disabilities, and pregnancy-related medical conditions – it’s also one of the most effective. Plus, new guidance from OPM indicates telework can be an effective accommodation for an employee’s sincerely held religious practices. If someone is going to work away from the office, however, you’re going to need to know the law, and set expectations. This class will help you lay that groundwork.

Learning objectives

• Identify the five elements of discipline and apply them to leave abuse scenarios.
• Remove employees for excessive absence and medical inability to perform.
• Determine whether to approve leave as a reasonable accommodation.
• Appropriately request medical documentation.
• Effectively manage the issues that arise among teleworking and hybrid workers.

Training time

12:30 pm – 4:30 pm ET each day

Pricing

Early bird (register by July 24, 2026)

• 5 days = $2,195
• 4 days = $1,850
• 3 days = $1,430
• 2 days = $995
• 1 day = $550

Standard (register July 25 – August 28, 2026)

• 5 days = $2,295
• 4 days =$1,950
• 3 days = $1,530
• 2 days = $1,095
• 1 day = $650

Event FAQs

Can I attend this class using my government computer?

This event will be held on Zoom. Many government computers and systems allow Zoom access. If, for some reason, your firewall will not allow access, you are welcome to use your personal email address to register and to attend the sessions from your personal device. Dial-in telephone access is also available.

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, you may use the materials provided by FELTG in submission to your state bar. You 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 attending from an agency facility.

How do I receive a group discount?

Group discounts are available for agencies registering 10 or more individuals for the full event by the early bird registration deadline. The group discount must be requested in writing with registration submission via email or fax.

What are the Substitute, Cancellation, and No-show Policies for Registered Participants?

Substitutions may be made at no cost with advance notice to FELTG. We kindly request 24-hour advance notice. No substitutions will be permitted within one hour of the training start time. No cancellations are accepted within 30 days of the training start date. No cancellations are accepted on pre-paid registrations. There are no refunds for no-shows.

Is this Training Compliant with the 2025 Executive Orders? 

All FELTG classes are in compliance with the Trump administration’s Executive Orders.