In this three day course, the participant will learn about and deal with the finer points of employee relations, through the use of lecture and multiple workshops designed to illustrate and practice the concepts discussed. In addition, the 400+ page participant book is full of up-to-date Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and court case law which illustrates all of the points discussed. The following areas are covered

• The History of the Civil Services
• How to Research Thoroughly and Research Tips
• The Basic Principles of Discipline
  Roles and Responsibilities
  The Basic Philosophy of Discipline
  The History of Due Process
  Major Mistakes That Agencies Make
  Understanding and Proving the Preponderance of the Evidence
  Dealing with Credibility Determinations
  Understanding Circumstantial / Direct Evidence
  
  
• The First Consideration in Discipline: Nexus
• Formulating Charges
• Writing Good Procedure and Decision Letters
• Adverse Action and Procedural Issues
  Procedural Requirements
  Indefinite Suspension
  Constructive Suspensions / Removals
  Failure to Take a Directed Reassignment
  Position Reclassification and Adverse Actions
  Suitability Determinations
  Collateral Estoppel and Res Judicata
  The Crime Provision
  Rights in an Investigation
  The Exclusionary Rule
  Jurisdictional Issues Before the Board
  
  
• Affirmative Defenses
  Agency's Decision is Not In Accordance with Law
  Prohibited Personnel Practices
  Harmful Procedural Error
  USERRA
  Whistle Blower Reprisal
  Discrimination
  
  
• Performance Actions
  Using Adverse Action Procedures
  Charges in Performance Cases Using Adverse Action Procedures
  Good Standards
  Standards Which are Lacking
  Fleshing Out Standards
  Proof in Unacceptable Performance Actions
  
  
• The Basics of an Investigation of Misconduct
  Investigation Methodology
  Rights in an Investigation
  Refusal to Provide Information in an Investigation
  Taking Declarations / Affidavits
  Writing the Investigatory Report
  
  
• Leave and Attendance Issues
  The 59 Minute Rule
  Excessive Absenteeism
  Excessive Unscheduled Absenteeism
  Inability to Maintain a Regular Work Schedule
  AWOL and the Agency Refusal to Grant LWOP
  FMLA Cases
  Family-Friendly Leave and Other Leave Issues
  
  
• Reasonable Accommodation and Medical Issues
  The Laws
  The Five Disability Discrimination Theories
  Workplace Issues Regarding Reasonable Accommodation
  Using Fitness for Duty Examinations
  Obtaining Medical Documentation
  Specifics of Medical Documentation Needs and Usages
  Confidentiality and Privacy Act Considerations
  Defining Disabilities
  Defining Qualified Disabled
  Defining Undue Hardship
  Defining Reasonable / Unreasonable Accommodation
  
  
• Settlement Specifics