Do You Really Know How to Use the Douglas Factors?

It’s been over 40 years since we were all introduced to those 12 factors identified in the Merit Systems Protection Board’s landmark Douglas v. VA decision, the most cited case in Federal employment law history. Yet, look at any recent batch of MSPB decisions, and you’ll find continued confusion about how to appropriately determine a penalty. […]

When Domestic Violence Impacts the Workplace: Ensuring a Safe and Supportive Environment

Domestic violence significantly impacts the workplace. Nearly one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking – and nearly three-quarters of those victims are harassed by their abuser at work. This leads to lost productivity, declining performance, and increased potential for workplace violence. This training […]

Get it Right the First Time: Accepting, Dismissing, and Framing EEO Claims

A surprisingly large number of agency dismissals are overturned by the EEOC each year – and a remand years after the events in question can equal big problems when it comes to the investigation. This class covers all you need to know on when to accept, when to dismiss, and how to frame EEO claims. […]

Everything You Need to Know About Probationary Periods

On the surface, probationary periods seem rather simple. An employee is given a year to prove they are a good fit for the job, and if they aren’t, it’s an easy separation process, right? Generally, yes, but there can be challenges. What if you are unable to make an appropriate determination at the end of […]

Responding Swiftly and Effectively to Inappropriate Sexual Conduct

Sexual harassment is a term of art that while easy to allege, isn’t always easy to prove. However, just because something may not rise to the level of Title VII sexual harassment, doesn’t mean it’s not inappropriate or that it should be tolerated in the workplace. FELTG President Deborah Hopkins, attorney at law, will explain […]

All Clear? When Employee Security Clearances are Revoked or Suspended

If a Federal employee is required to have access to classified information, then the employee must be eligible for a security clearance in order to keep that position. What happens when the employee no longer has that clearance? This class will detail how to handle a security clearance suspension, revocation and any resulting indefinite suspension […]

Strategies for Success: Written Discovery and Depositions

Discovery is an integral part of the litigation process. It is your opportunity to gather the evidence and documents that are critical to your case. If only it were easy. This is, as a FELTG instructor once said, “the heavy lifting portion of litigation.” This two-hour presentation will provide you with guidance and strategies to […]

Writing Final Agency Decisions

A Final Agency Decision is appealable, by the complainant, to the EEOC. And EEOC case law is filled with reversals of agency FADs that found no discrimination. This class will teach you how to write an effective and defensible FAD, which requires thorough knowledge and understanding of discrimination law, as it is uniquely applied to […]

5 Things to Know About Reasonable Accommodation for 2025 – December 5, 2024

Wouldn’t it be great if your first reaction to a reasonable accommodation request didn’t involve increased heartbeat, immediate beads of sweat, or fear? It doesn’t have to be that way. You can be the supervisor (or advisor) who sees the benefit of the interactive process and confidently navigates it to find a solution that works for the […]

Clean Records, Last Rites, Last Chances, and Other Discipline Alternatives – December 12, 2024

Numerous pitfalls can derail an agency’s disciplinary action, whether it’s suspension, demotion, or removal – and even make a bad situation worse. The most “effective and efficient” approach isn’t always traditional disciplinary action. This two-hour training will explain why, how, and when to use numerous alternative actions, including not just clean record agreements, but also […]

Misconduct Investigations: Get Them Right From the Start – January 22, 2025

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 to determining who to interview […]

Feds Gone AWOL: What to Do When Employees Don’t Show Up – February 6, 2025

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 […]