1:45 - 3:15 p.m.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

Kathy Eisenmenger, Arbitrator
David Orr, Consultant/Trainer, Orr Consulting
Don Rider, Senior Associate, GRA Inc.

Monday, Aug. 20  |  8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Enhance your ability to successfully prepare for an arbitration proceeding! Based on personal experiences, the instructors will share their proven strategies for identifying issues and burdens of proof, evaluating settlement options, preparing witnesses, and anticipating potential issues if exceptions are raised before the FLRA.

Session takeaways

• Improve your approach for selecting an arbitrator
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your case
• Effectively prepare witnesses

Mary J. McGoldrick, Consultant/Trainer, McGoldrick Consulting
Mary Ryan, Workplace ADR Program Manager, Office of Civilian Human Resources,
    Department of Defense/Navy

Monday, Aug. 20  |  8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The most common form of work-related communication is email, and there is no escape. And, it’s not limited to the office these days, when email can be checked anywhere and everywhere there is connectivity. It’s fast, efficient, and accurate, but it’s also a fertile area for conflict to develop, escalate and expand. Get the tools you need to limit email-related conflict in your agency which can result in low morale, complaints of discrimination, grievances, disciplinary actions, dysfunction, lawsuits, and bad karma.

Session takeaways

• Teach techniques that foster effective use of email
• Use several techniques and reminders to avoid sending an email you would later regret
• Identify how unproductive conflict can spread through email communication

Andrew Pizzi, Mediator/Facilitator
John Settle, President, SETTLEment Associates, LLC

Monday, Aug. 20  |  1:30 - 5 p.m.

Put five mediators in a room, ask them about their views on caucusing, and you’ll get five different, strongly held opinions. The caucus, a private and confidential meeting with one or more parties, is one of the most valuable forms of mediation and a great tool for parties that need to cool off or refocus. But caucuses require mediators to use a lot of skills and there is no standard recognized procedure. Through the use of realistic scenarios, Mr. Pizzi and Mr. Settle will show you how to correctly use caucuses and answer questions ranging from "When is it best to use a caucus?" to "How do you use the reality test in a caucus?"

Session takeaways

• Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of using a caucus
• Address the issue of confidentiality in a caucus
• Explain how to end a caucus

Michael Bogdanow, Legal Liaison, Office of Regional Operations, Merit Systems Protection Board
Marie A. Malouf, Administrative Judge, Dallas Office, Merit Systems Protection Board
Deborah Miron, Director of Regional Operations, Chief Administrative Judge, Merit Systems Protection Board
Julia H. Perkins, Counsel, Shaw, Bransford & Roth, P.C.
David Thayer, Administrative Judge, Dallas Office, Merit Systems Protection Board

Monday, Aug. 20  |  1:30 - 5 p.m.

A rare opportunity to observe an MSPB case from start to finish! MSPB representatives will illustrate practical aspects of the hearing, including objections, AJ rulings, direct and cross-examination, and findings as well as share tips to sharpen your skills.

Session takeaways

• Understand the hearing stages in the MSPB process
• Learn the limits on the scope of discovery requests
• Keep your opening argument concise, maximize focus, and emphasize key points

Tim Curry, Deputy Associate Director, Partnership and Labor Relations, Office of Personnel
    Management
William R. Dougan, President, National Federation of Federal Employees
Justin Johnson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Personnel Management (invited)
Patricia Niehaus, National President, Federal Managers Association (invited)
Moderator: Carol Waller Pope, Chair, Federal Labor Relations Authority

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.

Learn the views of participants in the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations and progress under the president’s Executive Order, including the status of permissive or (b)(1) bargaining and the importance of pre-decisional involvement and how it is supposed to work. You’ll also learn about local forums, metrics, and special projects, including telework and performance management.

Session takeaways

• Discuss the status of permissive bargaining pilots
• Explain the status of the National Labor Relations Council and its initiatives
• Understand how to implement pre-decisional involvement

Tim Curry, Deputy Associate Director, Partnership and Labor Relations, Office of Personnel
    Management
Justin Johnson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Personnel Management (invited)
Moderator: William L. Bransford, Partner, Shaw, Bransford & Roth, P.C.

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

There has been no shortage of initiatives and actions at the Office of Personnel Management over the last three years. But what’s happening with them all? What can you expect from OPM in the next year? Don’t miss this opportunity to talk with two of OPM’s high-ranking leaders.

Session takeaways

• Discuss the status of the various OPM initiatives
• Prepare for potential changes or new initiatives in the works

Chai Feldblum, Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

It’s been more than a year since the EEOC issued regulations on the definition of disability under the ADAAA and the Rehabilitation Act. Most federal EEO professionals are aware of the broad scope of disability, but many still struggle with reasonable accommodation, especially when leave is at issue. In this interactive session, Commissioner Feldblum will cover the basic requirements of reasonable accommodation with regard to leave and attendance, and take your questions on the topic.

Session takeaways

• Classify the type of leave that is required as a reasonable accommodation
• Discuss when leave may be an appropriate accommodation for disability
• Determine whether a schedule change is an appropriate accommodation

Andrew Pizzi, Mediator/Facilitator

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  8:30 - 10 a.m. [R]

It’s a given that parties in dispute need to understand the issue and have enough information to resolve the conflict. But this factual knowledge may not matter if there is a failure to understand and recognize the importance emotions play in making the decisions. Whether you are a manager, union representative, or conflict resolution practitioner, having the ability to understand emotions and act upon them intelligently can greatly impact the outcome of the conflict and maintain a solid working relationship.

Session takeaways

• Identify the principles of emotional intelligence
• Use emotional intelligence to engage in positive behavior to affect outcomes
• Recognize your emotions and their effect on your behavior

Michael McMillion, Commissioner, Federal Mediation Conciliation Service
Michael Wolf, Senior Dispute Resolution Specialist, Federal Labor Relations Authority

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. [R]

You feel like you’ve tried everything and yet the other party still acts like you are the enemy rather than a trusted partner. You’re about to give up, but you know you can’t. So what can you do? Come to this session and you’ll leave armed with many ideas that you can try to make your working relationship actually work.

Session takeaways

• Distinguish behaviors that lead to successful collaborative relationships from those that hinder or have no effect
• Learn from the successes — and failures — of others
• Develop a list of practical solutions that you can use when discussions hit a wall

Merri L. Hanson, Director, Peninsula Mediation & ADR

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  10 - 11:30 a.m. [R]

While compromise seems desirable to ADR practitioners, it is much-maligned in our current political climate. A quick Google search uncovers the overwhelming view that compromise is an erosion of morality, something to be avoided at all costs. In the quest for moral superiority, we seem to have lost the ability to assess the value of compromise. Ms. Hanson will discuss the pitfalls of refusing to compromise and shed light on the benefits of selective give-and-take in any negotiation.

Session takeaways

• Assess what you need most in a negotiation
• Promote cognitive flexibility in everyday situations
• Discuss how compromise can be a tool to meet key interests in negotiations

Michael Patterson, Ed.D., Vice President, Personal Strengths US

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m. [R]

Based on his acclaimed book, Have a Nice Conflict, Mr. Patterson will help you create a personalized picture of how you value and use your strengths in daily interaction. The portrait will illustrate your preferred style of interaction, how your most valued strengths can become a primary source of conflict with others, and why the feeling of being forced to behave in certain ways has the potential to ignite conflict. By recognizing these conflict triggers, you’ll be empowered to make more effective behavior choices to reduce the negative effects of overdone strengths. This relational approach to preventing and managing conflict leads to stronger relationships, increased productivity, and better results — no matter how challenging the situation.

Session takeaways

• Anticipate conflict in yourself and others
• Identify your top personal strengths and explain their role in triggering conflict
• Make more effective behavior choices to reduce the negative effects of overdone strengths

Cynthia Mazur, Director/Alternative Dispute Resolution, Federal Emergency Management Agency Mary Ryan, Workplace ADR Program Manager, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Department
    of Defense/Navy

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  4 - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. [R]

Most people use habit language and a very limited vocabulary. Is the careless use of words undermining our conversations? This highly interactive session will explore the powerful yet hardly noticeable use of metaphor, reframing, and phraseology in communication. How we narrate our life experiences reveals a great deal about us but also may be sending the wrong messages. Through the research of writings by Victor Frankl, Albert Einstein, and Malcolm Gladwell, you’ll gain practical skills and applications.

Session takeaways

• Identify the subtle but pointed metaphors and symbols in politics and public discourse
• Reframe phrases so you are mindfully articulating exactly what you want to say
• Recognize trigger words and their impact

Donald J. Names, Counsel, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Department of Defense/Navy

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.

EEOC AJs, and the commissioners on appeal, have the authority to sanction parties for failure to respond fully &8212; and in timely fashion — to an order. Sanctions include adverse inferences, exclusion of evidence, and even a finding on the merits in favor of the opposing party.

Session takeaways

• Discuss recent EEOC case law and guidance from the EEOC MD-110
• Identify the specific standards and procedures applied by the EEOC and its AJs when applying sanctions
• Discuss successful strategies to argue both for – and against – the imposition of sanctions in an EEO case

Joseph V. Kaplan, Managing Partner/Founding Principal/Attorney, Passman & Kaplan
Robert L. Woods, Assistant General Counsel (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), Department of
    the Navy

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.

The EEOC has been mostly silent on this issue, although previous guidance had warned against the “intrusion on the investigations and deliberations of EEO complaints by agency representatives.” This session will examine the role agency reps play, from counseling and investigations to hearings and appeals.

Session takeaways

• Explain the fundamental principles governing agency reps’ roles in the EEO process
• Discuss how agencies approach this question
• Express the varying viewpoints on this topic

Peter Broida, Attorney, Author
Sam Vitaro, Labor Arbitrator, Mediator, Fact-Finder, Consultant, and former Administrative Judge

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mr. Broida and Mr. Vitaro combine their experience to give you insightful guidance for successful and responsible representation. They’ll share with you their expert advice on everything from effective writing and case file organization to closing arguments and closing briefs.

Session takeaways

• Explain how to proceed when you know a case is won or lost
• Properly prepare witnesses and present exhibits
• Apply successful settlement techniques and methods

Maxanne R. Witkin, Director, Office of Employment Discrimination and Complaint Adjudication,
    Department of Veterans Affairs

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m. [Part I] • 4 - 5 p.m. [Part II]

This session meets most states’ legal ethics training requirements. Ms. Witkin will discuss communications with represented, nonrepresented, and third parties. She’ll also explore attorneys’ ethical obligations when they believe a fellow lawyer is mentally unable to represent clients because of senility or dementia, alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, chemical dependency, or mental illness.

Session takeaways

• Clarify who is the government attorney’s client
• Discuss recent decisions involving attorney ethics and social media
• Explain American Bar Association rules for communications with individuals other than clients

Michael Bogdanow, Legal Liaison, Office of Regional Operations, Merit Systems Protection Board Tony Cardillo, Chief, Dallas Field Office, Office of Special Counsel

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. [R]

If you’ve ever been involved in a whistleblower complaint at the OSC or an individual right of action appeal at the MSPB, you know that the whistleblowing situations aren’t straightforward. You’ll learn what you must know to defend or prosecute a Whisteblower Protection Act claim before the MSPB, including a discussion on the ways Congress is considering changing the law.

Session takeaways

• Name the major whistleblower decisions and discuss how the cases have shaped the law
• Identify the types of disclosures that are protected
• Understand what your agency must do to avoid liability

Ava Ganem, Staff Attorney, Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication,
    Department of Veterans Affairs
Kevin Kelly, Staff Attorney, Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication,
    Department of Veterans Affairs

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  8:30 - 10 a.m. [R]

Under the ADAAA, the focus has shifted away from the employee’s burden of proving disability to providing employees with the tools and resources they need for success. Ms. Ganem and Mr. Kelly will provide specific examples of Rehabilitation Act violations from recent Veterans Affairs cases and lead a discussion on how to avoid the mistakes that have challenged others and identify options that should have been pursued.

Session takeaways

• Identify and avoid potential mistakes in the reasonable accommodation process
• Explain how the ADAAA has changed the reasonable accommodation process
• Evaluate the viability of accommodation options, such as special parking areas, leave, and telework

Jo Ellen Walker, Staff Attorney, Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication,
    Department of Veterans Affairs
Maxanne Witkin, Director, Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication,
    Department of Veterans Affairs

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  10 - 11:30 a.m. [R]

Ms. Walker and Ms. Witkin will discuss the success of the VA’s unique approach to dispensing with the prima facie analysis, and procedurally dismissing complaints when complainants refuse to cooperate in their own investigations. They’ll also share practice pointers and cover the other bases for procedurally dismissing complaints, such as civil actions, filing in other forums, proposed actions, and mootness, as well as when to remand a complaint for a supplemental investigation.

Session takeaways

• Explain how to successfully structure and write a final agency decision
• Frame and analyze multi-harassment claims
• Determine when to dismiss or remand a complaint

Dinah Cohen, Director, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), Department of
     Defense
Jo Linda Johnson, Director, Federal Training & Outreach Division, Office of Federal Operations,
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.

Join us for this engaging, interactive session — where you drive the discussion. Share your reasonable accommodation challenges, and find out how your peers have handled similar situations.

Jo Linda Johnson, Director, Federal Training & Outreach Division, Office of Federal Operations,
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Veronica Venture, Deputy Officer, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Director, EEO &
    Diversity, Department of Homeland Security
Anne C. Vonhof, Diversity Program Manager, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Personnel
    Management

Significant problems can arise when employers "stick their heads in the sand" and ignore a transgender employee's concerns. The result could be creation of a hostile work environment, violation of the employee's privacy, and possible liability for the employer under Macy v. Department of Justice, Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins and Schroer v. Library of Congress. The EEOC recently concluded, in Macy v. Department of Justice, that transgender employees and applicants are protected against discrimination under Title VII. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Vonhof will discuss these precedential cases and provide guidance on avoiding discrimination. And Ms. Venture will offer practical tips straight from the DHS workplace.

Session takeaways

• Identify the legal grounds for inclusion of transgender individuals under discrimination law
• Manage challenging transgender issues in the workplace
• Use proper terminology for transgender harassment

Oliver Allen, EEO Officer, Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration
Roslyn D. Brown, Strategic Human Capital and Public Policy Consultant
John M. Robinson, Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Chief Diversity Officer, Department
    of State

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m. [Part I] • 4 - 5 p.m. [Part II]

This open forum is an advanced practicum for discussing issues, strategies, goals, and ideas with fellow EEO professionals, stakeholders, and partners. It’s a unique opportunity to meet with your peers in a collaborative environment and leave with advice and guidance from other seasoned professionals. The facilitators will provide a safe harbor for testing the soundness of your ideas and analyzing critical problems. If you want to hear how others are coloring outside the lines, leveraging technology, and developing innovative strategies in order to work more efficiently in an era of shrinking budgets, this session is for you.

Session takeaways

• Understand the challenges facing your peers in federal EEO
• Acquire feedback from your peers on your strategic plans
• Learn what is working for your colleagues in different agencies

Anthony Kaminski, Deputy Director, Office of Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity
     Commission
Allison Uehling, Esq., EEO Special Projects Editor, LRP Publications/cyberFEDS^®

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  4 - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. [R]

Claims of discriminatory harassment present several problems for agencies. Does the complaint state a viable EEO claim? Is it timely? Was the agency’s response enough to avoid liability for creating a hostile work environment? This interactive multimedia session will focus on the practical matters involved in dealing with harassment complaints, but it also will provide the information you need to recognize and address potential harassment issues before they become a liability.

Session takeaways

• Assess whether a harassment complaint is timely
• Recognize when a single incident can create a hostile work environment
• Identify ways managers can proactively combat harassment

Michelle Crew, Program Analyst, Cleveland Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Charetta Harrington, Supervisory Administrative Judge, Cleveland Office, Equal Employment
    Opportunity Commission

Thursday, Aug. 23  |  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This full-day training session — continuing even after the conference ends — will deliver a wide range of EEO knowledge, including details on the ADA Amendments Act and guidance on how recent EEOC Office of Federal Operations decisions will impact the EEO process. Ms. Harrington and Ms. Crew will provide a thorough explanation of the informal and formal federal EEO processes, plus essential tools to help you write high-quality EEO counselor’s reports. You’ll leave this extended session with a broad comprehension of the EEO process — and a certificate to show you’ve met your training obligation.

Session takeaways

• Prepare and write effective EEO counselor reports
• Evaluate your current investigation process
• Understand the informal pre-complaint EEO process and its relation to the formal EEO complaint process
• Explain the consequences of liability under EEO law and the failure to comply with the process
• Apply the latest trends in EEO case law to the EEO process

Robert P. Erbe, Deputy Chief, Labor & Employment Law Division, Immigration & Customs
     Enforcement

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. [R]

Determining the appropriate penalty is often the most difficult decision in an adverse action – and the12 Douglas factors are the key to making a correct decision. Mr. Erbe will walk you through the Douglas minefield and review the most recent MSPB case law involving penalty determination. You’ll leave with a full understanding of the Douglas factors and, more specifically, how the MSPB determines whether a penalty is reasonable.

Session takeaways

• Determine the appropriate penalty that will withstand third-party review
• Discuss the impact of recent Board decisions involving penalties
• Address mitigating factors appropriately and effectively

Steve Muir, Director, Labor and Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources, Department
    of the Treasury/Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Steve Sharfstein, Chief of Labor Relations, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. [R]

The reality is starting to set in, and it’s not pretty. Less money. Parts of agencies disappearing. The consequences could mean reductions in force and furloughs in your agency. Learn about laws, rules, and regulations for RIFs, furloughs, and other approaches to downsizing. The effective use of pre-decisional involvement with the union to sort through the reality of running a government with less budget money will also be discussed.

Session takeaways

• Know the factors to consider when making a reduced funding argument to the union
• Discuss the processes for successors and accretions
• Implement strategies for meeting goals with fewer employees

Don Rider, Senior Associate, GRA Inc.
Steve Sharfstein, Chief of Labor Relations, Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 23  |  11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. [R]

This session will provide a serious review of the key FLRA cases that provide the legal tests for the most important issues arising in collective bargaining, unfair labor practices, representation proceedings and arbitration exceptions. Using these cases as the foundation, Mr. Rider and Mr. Sharfstein will then review how these labor principles have been applied by the FLRA in recent years. Scenarios will be presented for you to work through and apply what you’ve learned to specific fact patterns.

Session takeaways

• Understand the key cases that impact labor relations issues
• Apply the top 10 cases to common fact patterns
• Discuss how recent FLRA cases have impacted labor relations practitioners

Jessica Bartlett, Regional Attorney, Washington Office, Federal Labor Relations Authority
Dennis Walsh, Deputy General Counsel, Federal Labor Relations Authority

Is your agency being reorganized? Is there disagreement over whether the union will continue to represent employees after the reorganization? Will an election be necessary? What should a union do if management says that a position is supervisory and excluded from the bargaining unit? Get answers to these questions and more as Mr. Walsh and Ms. Bartlett explain how to effectively use FLRA representation petitions. They’ll also introduce you to the FLRA’s electronic voting procedure, which was used to conduct the representation election involving 42,000 TSA officers.

Session takeaways

• Recognize when and why you should file a representation petition
• Understand the FLRA’s case law on successorship and accretion
• Acquire a working knowledge of FLRA’s representation case Resources

Barbara I. Haga, President, Federal HR Services, Inc.

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  2:30 - 3:30 p.m. [Part I] • 4 - 5 p.m. [Part II]

This two-part session will provide an in-depth review of the requirement for establishment of appraisal systems, including pilot programs to implement GEAR — the Goals, Engagement, Accountability, and Results framework for performance management. Ms. Haga will highlight options that agencies have for assignment of element and summary ratings — and the consequences of those choices. She’ll also address actions tied to performance, including within-grade increases, performance recognition, and reduction in force.

Session takeaways

• Identify the performance management requirements listed in 5 CFR 430
• Discuss the consequences of using element and summary ratings
• Describe and explain the quality of performance objectives and performance standards

Joseph Schimansky, Executive Director, Federal Service Impasses Panel

Thursday, Aug. 23  |  10 - 11:30 a.m.

Knowledge = power = success before the FSIP. This session tests that first building block. You’ll find out how much you know about the last step in the federal-sector collective bargaining process. During this interactive session, Mr. Schimansky will lead attendees through a thorough, and sometimes humorous, multiple-choice quiz covering, among other things, FSIP’s history, its procedural requirements, and the principles that have guided its impasse resolution efforts since its creation in 1970.

Session takeaways

• Understand the basics of filing a request for FSIP assistance
• Recognize the difference between good and bad jurisdictional arguments
• Identify the procedures FSIP uses and how to be effective when presenting your case

Bob Grant, President/CEO, The Grant Group

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  8:30 - 10 a.m. [R]

Before you address another issue of poor performance, stop and consider: Is it really poor performance? Could it be misconduct? Or could it be poor performance by the manager? And if it is the manager’s problem, how do you restore confidence in his or her leadership after it has eroded? Using lecture, case studies, relevant case law, and sample forms, Mr. Grant will show you how to determine the source of the problem and how best to respond.

Session takeaways

• Determine whether an employee problem is related to performance or conduct
• Effectively start a performance improvement plan
• Identify problems related to poor management and discuss ways to rectify those problems

Delia Johnson, Director, Office for Civil Rights & Diversity, Broadcasting Board of Governors
Jackie Middleton, Professor, Montgomery College
Charles “Skip” Pettit, President, International Training Consortium

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.

This session reviews the fundamental skills, techniques, attitudes, values, core competencies, and principles of effective communication and applied teamwork in a diverse and multi-generational setting. The presenters will focus on the changing federal workplace with its complex and dynamic challenges, which require flexibility and a specific skill set from managers, team members and agency leadership.

Session takeaways

• Identify ways to improve communications across diverse teams
• Identify the major demographic trends that impact diversity in the workplace
• Understand how generational differences relate to employees’ communication, work, and social styles
• Evaluate the self-management skills required for effective intergenerational and intercultural interaction

Ana Galindo-Marrone, Chief, Hatch Act Unit, Office of Special Counsel

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  1:45 - 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. [R]

As we head into the heat of the 2012 elections, it’s likely your office is filled with discussions of the presidential and congressional races. What are you doing to prevent Hatch Act violations by your employees? Since the 2008 elections, there has been a spike in Hatch Act claims, and navigating this law is more difficult than ever in the age of email, Facebook and Twitter. Ms. Galindo-Marrone will provide specific guidance on how to ensure that you and your employees comply with the Hatch Act.

Session takeaways

• Provide accurate advice on prohibited and permitted political activities
• Determine when social media use is prohibited
• Analyze different situations involving political activity and apply the corresponding regulations

Bruce Stewart, Deputy Director of Training, Compliance and Strategic Initiatives, Office of
    Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Personnel Management
Veronica E. Villalobos, Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Personnel Management

Tuesday, Aug. 21  |  4 - 5 p.m.

You’re aware of the executive order. You’ve read the guidance from OPM. You’ve brushed up on the topic of inclusion. And you’re still lost. Or you’re wondering if, how, and when to separate agency diversity efforts from the EEO office. Or maybe you’ve actually come up with solutions for effectively introducing inclusion into your agency. Wherever you are in the process, join our two facilitators for this UnConference Session — where you drive the discussion.

Patrick H. Boulay, Chief, USERRA Unit, Office of Special Counsel
Louis Lopez, Deputy, Civil Rights Section, Department of Justice

Wednesday, Aug. 22  |  8:30 - 10 a.m.

As our troops — thousands of whom are federal employees or seeking federal employment — return home, agencies must be prepared to fulfill their obligations under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which requires that the federal government serve as a “model employer” under the law. Mr. Boulay and Mr. Lopez will provide a comprehensive overview of USERRA’s requirements with regard to federal agencies, a brief description of the USERRA complaint process, and an explanation of recent trends in federal USERRA cases.

Session takeaways

• Understand how to comply with USERRA to prevent violations and avoid complaints
• Quickly identify and resolve common USERRA issues
• Help your agency be a “model employer” under USERRA

William L. Bransford, Partner, Shaw, Bransford & Roth, P.C.
Jessica Klement, Communications and Legislative Representative, National Active and Retired
   Federal Employees (invited)
Moderator: Mike Causey, Senior Correspondent, Federal News Radio

Thursday, Aug. 23  |  10 - 11:30 a.m.

Will the legislative assault of federal employee pay continue? What’s going on with federal benefits? What’s going to happen with whistleblowing? The Hatch Act? Come get the answers at this popular annual session.

Session takeaways

• Understand the impact of current legislative activity on the federal workplace
• Identify areas of future potential legislation