Pre-Conference Symposium #1
Federal Employees With Disabilities:
Providing Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADAAA
Gary Gilbert, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Silver Spring, Md.
Ernest Hadley, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Wellfleet, Mass.
Donald J. Names, Counsel, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Department of
    Defense/Navy, Washington, D.C.

Monday, April 12, 1 - 5 p.m.
With pressure from the EEOC to hire more individuals with disabilities and the increasing number of disabled veterans returning to the workforce, federal agencies must be ready to handle the challenge of providing appropriate — and effective — reasonable accommodations. And, agencies must understand how the process has changed under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act. This session will examine the scope of the recently amended law and offer best practices for providing accommodations.

Pre-Conference Symposium #2
Eliminating Confusion From the FMLA
Barbara Haga, ER/LR Consultant, President, Federal HR Services, Inc., Norfolk, Va.

Monday, April 12, 1 - 5 p.m.
There's no need to continue to struggle with the Family and Medical Leave Act, whether it's the day-to-day administration or unforeseen intermittent leave. Through real-world scenarios, Ms. Haga, renowned federal HR consultant and author of many FMLA resources, will eliminate the guesswork surrounding the law — from eligibility requirements and serious health conditions to employee rights and employer obligations upon return to work.

Keynote & General Session
Changing Mindsets:
Appreciating Disability and Other Differences in the Workplace
Glenn McIntyre, Trainer/Consultant, McIntyre & Associates, Camarillo, Calif.

Tuesday, April 13, 8:45 - 10 a.m.
With the government creating an estimated 100,000 new jobs over the next few years, the federal workplace is about to become more diverse than ever. Glenn McIntyre's motivational, educational and empowering keynote will provide you with the tools necessary to attract the brightest applicants, maximize the strengths of diversity and inspire your team to apply the knowledge gained during this session. Come with an open mind and leave empowered to recruit, hire and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce that more than fulfills your agency’s goals.

EEO1: Limiting and Responding to Workplace Harassment
Stephen Shih, Deputy Officer and Director for EEO & Diversity, Office for Civil Rights and
    Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 13, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Harassment continues to be a significant problem in the federal workplace. While sexual harassment gets most of the attention, agencies must also concentrate on deterring and promptly correcting harassment based on race, color, national origin, non-sexual gender status, disability, age, religion, and retaliation. Mr. Shih will offer guidance on how to appropriately prevent and respond to harassment claims, plus how to avoid potential liability.

HR1: Good Actions Gone Bad — Overturned Resignations and Retirements
Barbara Haga, ER/LR Consultant, President, Federal HR Services, Inc., Norfolk, Va.

Tuesday, April 13, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Resignations and retirements usually are employee-initiated, voluntary actions, but sometimes the Merit Systems Protection Board finds them involuntary. When is a choice to resign or retire not really a choice? What does it mean when an action is determined to be a constructive removal? Who shares in the responsibility if an employee-initiated action is ruled to be involuntary? Ms Haga will answer these questions by outlining the characteristics of resignations and retirements that make them voluntary, and the management actions that may cause the MSPB to overturn them. Plus, you'll get strategies you can use in your agency to avoid having voluntary actions overturned.

MGT1: Keeping Managers Out of EEO and HR Trouble
William L. Bransford, Partner, Shaw, Bransford, Veilleux & Roth, P.C., Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 13, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Managers who deal with problem employees or who give negative, but honest, performance appraisals face the constant threat of EEO complaints and the possibility of disciplinary action. This session will examine the causes and likely scenarios that could get a manager into EEO or HR trouble and outline techniques to head off problems before they occur. Plus, you'll learn effective documentation practices. After all, when managers understand the process and know where to go for answers, they'll avoid being subjected to successful EEO complaints or disciplinary actions for such charges as “improper reprisal” or “conduct unbecoming of a supervisor.”

EEO2: Taking MD-715 to the Next Level: A Tool for Achieving Diversity
Thais Mootz, Manager, National EEO Compliance and Appeals Programs, U.S. Postal Service,
    Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 13, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
We all know about the annual MD-715 requirement, but taking it to the next level can be difficult. Ms. Mootz will discuss how to go beyond the reporting requirements and use MD-715 concepts to measure and enhance your agency's inclusiveness — the step often overlooked from MD-715 discussions. Plus, she'll explain the visible connection between the agency's requirements and its employees, customers and day-to-day operations.

MGT2: Making Telework Work
Steve Muir, Director, Labor and Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources,
    Department of the Treasury/Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, April 13, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
OPM Director John Berry made it clear: He expects a more telework-friendly federal government, with agencies crafting policies that meet OPM standards. Mr. Muir will discuss and offer guidance on all the challenges agencies face as they ramp up their telecommuting plans, such as managing leave and avoiding costly workers' compensation claims. Plus, Mr. Muir will provide steps to ensure agency productivity and accountability needs are met.

HR2: MSPB Case Law Update
Peter Broida, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Arlington, Va.
William B. Wiley, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, San Francisco, Calif.

Tuesday, April 13, 3:45 - 5 p.m.
Renowned federal employment law experts Peter Broida and William Wiley will guide you through the most significant Merit Systems Protection Board case decisions from the past year. They'll discuss the key findings on probationary status appeal rights, self-defense as a mitigating factor, re-employed veterans’ rights to intervening promotions, and the MSPB's new standard for review of arbitration awards. You'll walk away with a thorough understanding of how the Board's rulings impact the decisions you make every day.

MGT3: How to Protect Your Agency From Retaliation Claims
Phillis Rena Morgan, Federal Employment Litigation Attorney, Air Force Legal Operations
    Agency, Arlington, Va.

Tuesday, April 13, 3:45 - 5 p.m.
Why do retaliation claims continue to rise? Ms. Morgan will examine the reasons behind this trend, as well as what managers, supervisors and EEO staff can do to turn the tide. You'll learn practical tips and tools you can use to avoid retaliation claims, plus manage the workplace once complaints are filed. What's more, Ms. Morgan will discuss the important role managers and HR professionals play in the process.

EEO3: Avoiding EEO Complaints in the Hiring and Promotion Process
Tony Kaminski, Deputy Director, Office of Human Resources, Equal Employment
    Opportunity Commission, Washington, D.C.
Allison Uehling, Esq., EEO Special Projects Editor, LRP Publications/cyberFEDS®,
    Horsham, Pa.

Wednesday, April 14, 8:45 - 10 a.m.
Hiring and promotion decisions are challenging enough without an EEO complaint from disappointed applicants who blame their non-selection on discrimination. Unfortunately, in many cases poor selection procedures may have rendered decisions questionable or even indefensible. And in other cases, selection decisions may prove to be solidly based on merit, but still invite claims of discrimination due to lack of communication. Ms. Uehling and Mr. Kaminski will explore ways agencies can get into legal hot water when making selection and promotion decisions. They'll also provide tips for avoiding EEO claims as well as addressing discrimination complaints when they do occur.

HR3: What's Up With Whistleblowing?
Peter Broida, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Arlington, Va.
William B. Wiley, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, San Francisco, Calif.

Wednesday, April 14, 8:45 - 10 a.m.
Once again, whistleblowing laws are in the news. There's the debate over whether National Security Agency employees should have access to federal trial courts under the proposed Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act. And a recent Merit Systems Protection Board decision has added to that debate. Mr. Broida and Mr. Wiley will cover where the law is going and explain everything you need to know about whistleblowing, including the statutory definition, common misunderstandings, the unique and specialized appeal routes, and whistleblowers' rights.

EEO4: EEO Case Law Update
Gary Gilbert, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Silver Spring, Md.
Ernest Hadley, Attorney, Federal Employment Law Training Group, Wellfleet, Mass.

Wednesday, April 14, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Before you address any EEO-related legal issue, you must thoroughly analyze each situation against the constantly evolving case law and dozens of decisions issued each month. An arduous task … until now. Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Hadley will dissect the most significant EEOC case decisions from the past year, including findings on disability and retaliation, and discuss how recent Supreme Court decisions could impact federal EEO law. You'll leave this session with a complete understanding of how the rulings impact the body of case law governing the federal workplace.

HR4: USERRA and VEOA: Veterans' Rights in Federal Employment
James Read, Director, Office of Appeals Counsel, U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board,
     Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, April 14, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act creates a right of redress for violations of veterans' preference rights – and gives veterans access to federal job opportunities that might otherwise be closed to them. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act offers employment and benefits protections to service members, including the National Guard and Reserves. Mr. Read will outline the similarities and differences between the two laws and explain the enforceable rights under each statute. Plus, he'll discuss recent developments and hot issues in veterans' preference, including the effect of any OPM initiatives to reform the hiring process.

EEO5: Writing Effective Settlement Agreements
Linda L. Batts, Director, Workplace Fairness and Equal Opportunity, Department of the
     Treasury/Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
Roslyn D. Brown, Strategic Human Capital & Public Policy Consultant

Wednesday, April 14, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Settlement agreements are designed to resolve a case in a way that is mutually acceptable to the agency and the employee. However, too often agencies write settlement agreements in vague terms that lead to problems down the road. Join Ms. Brown as she provides authoritative guidance on how to avoid ambiguities and draft clear and enforceable settlement agreements.

HR5: The Top 10 Mistakes in Disciplinary Investigations
Peter H. Noone, Partner, Avery, Dooley, Post & Avery, Belmont, Mass.
Robin S. Wink, Attorney, Rudman Wink Associates, LLC, Alexandria, Va.

Wednesday, April 14, 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
The foundation for taking an effective disciplinary action is a thorough, thoughtful and timely investigation of the alleged misconduct. But agencies often rush to judgment without collecting all the necessary facts, or let the investigation drag on so that discipline lags far behind the misconduct, becoming ineffective or irrelevant. Mr. Noone and Ms. Wink will share the most common mistakes agencies make in investigating allegations of misconduct and provide suggestions for avoiding them. You’ll leave this session better prepared to advise investigating officers, review reports of investigation and propose sustainable disciplinary actions for employees who engage in misconduct.

EEO6: 60 EEO Practice Tips in 60 Minutes
Donald J. Names, Counsel, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Department of
    Defense/Navy,Washington, D.C.
Phillis Rena Morgan, Federal Employment Litigation Attorney, Air Force Legal Operations,
    Arlington, Va.
Tony Kaminski, Deputy Director, Office of Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity
    Commission, Washington, D.C.
Thais Mootz, Manager, National EEO Compliance and Appeals Programs, U.S. Postal Service,
     Washington, D.C.
Moderator: Allison Uehling, Esq., EEO Special Projects Editor, LRP Publications/cyberFEDS®,
    Horsham, Pa.

Wednesday, April 14, 3 - 4:15 p.m.
Wrap up the conference with this fun and engaging session featuring EEO experts who will provide 60 valuable and practical tips to take home to your agency. This fast-paced, round-robin format gives each expert 60 seconds to present one useful tip. If they go longer than 60 seconds, they will be … Well, you’ll see!

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