Training Courses and Workshops for DOD Agencies
The following are examples of training courses and workshops conducted by Joseph Swerdzewski & Associates (JSA). Any of these workshops can be customized to fit the needs of a particular group or a new workshop can be developed. The cost for a workshop is dependent on the length of the course, the number of participants, travel expenses and any special expense associated with a customized course. For more information about the workshops call Joseph Swerdzewski @ 256-503-2226 or e-mail at jswerdzewski@jsafed.com.
Compliance Based Labor Relations Series
Workshop # 1 CBR. Federal Sector Labor Relations for Managers and Supervisors
The purpose of this workshop is to give management a general orientation to the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute. It will be a top to bottom review of the Statute to give managers a good understanding of their role as management representatives and the rights of management, union and employees under the Statute. It will familiarize them with all relevant labor relations terms and principles necessary to act as a management representative. The workshop will cover such issues as bargaining unit status, collective bargaining over changes in working conditions, representing employees at meetings called by management and what can and can not be said to a union representative.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 2 CBR. How Management Can Succeed in Federal Sector Collective Bargaining
The purpose of this workshop is to provide managers hands on skills on how to bargain in the federal sector. It will explain management rights and the exceptions to management rights provided under the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute. It will explain how bargaining over procedures and appropriate arrangements can act to expand the scope of bargaining beyond the traditional “I and I” bargaining practiced by many unions and management. The participants will engage in bargaining exercises aimed at increasing their understanding and skills in bargaining over changes in working conditions. The issues covered include, as examples, what information is necessary to be successful in bargaining, how to prepare for bargaining, how to deal with appropriate arrangements proposals and negotiability appeals.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 3 CBR. Employee Meetings with Management
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an understanding of the union’s right to be present at various types of meetings management conducts with employees and the role of the union at these meetings. It will also explain what a union representative can and can not do as a representative at these meetings. Management conducts various types of meetings with bargaining unit employees which require union representation. Through a series of exercises management representatives will learn how to effectively conduct meetings while appropriately providing the union the right to participate in these meetings. The issues covered by this workshop include as examples: formal discussions, Weingarten meetings, bypasses, EEO formal investigations and MSPB actions.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 4 CBR. Advanced Statutory Training
The purpose of this workshop is to provide experienced management with an advanced level of understanding of the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute. It provides an in depth analysis of the Statute and how to more effectively use its processes. It is aimed at giving management representatives new strategies and approaches to use in dealing with complex labor relations problems. The subjects covered include exceptions to arbitrations awards, negotiability of proposals, important representation case principles and unfair labor practice issues.
Workshop Length – 2 days
Maximum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – experienced management representatives and lawyers
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 5 CBR. How to Present a Case at Arbitration
The purpose of this workshop is to give management representatives an understanding of how to present a case at arbitration. The course is heavily oriented towards gaining hands on experience in presenting a case before an arbitrator. The participants will learn how to prepare a case for arbitration, develop their theory of the case, and present an opening statement, how to do direct and cross examinations, how to object to questions, how to make motions to the arbitrator and what goes in a post hearing brief. By the end of the program a participant will have a good understanding of what happens in arbitration and how to present a case. The participants will prepare a mock case for arbitration.
Workshop Length – 2 days
Maximum number of participants – 12
Intended participants – management representatives and lawyers
Presentation method – use of a mock arbitration case
Workshop # 6 CBR. Union Rights in the A-76 Process
The purpose of the workshop is to provide an understanding of the A-76 process and the union’s role in representing employees subject to an A-76 study. There is considerable misunderstanding of the process and how it works. The participants will learn how A-76 works, the basic terminology of the process and the rights of the union when an A-76 study is undertaken. Emphasis will be placed on bargaining over issues affecting employees who lose there jobs through an A-76 study and those whose jobs are greatly changed as a result of the study.
Workshop Length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 7 CBR The Labor Relations Game Show
Using a game show format participants learn about the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute. Working together as teams and then also individually, participants vie for prizes as they answer questions about federal sector labor relations. Using a TV game show approach participants will be given the opportunity to learn about how labor relations works in the federal sector and what their rights and obligations are under the Statute. It is a fun approach to learning aimed at using games as a learning format. Prizes will be of nominal value but of interest to the participants. This program works effectively with a half day program on Leadership in Labor Relations for Managers.
Workshop length – 4 hours
Maximum number of participants – 50
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – game show format with facilitation by presenter.
Workshop # 8 CBR The Unfair Labor Practice Process – How To Be Successful
The objective of this workshop is to provide participants with an understanding of the unfair labor practice process and law under the Federal Labor Management Relations Statute. What is an unfair labor practice and how to successfully deal with an unfair labor practice being investigated by the FLRA will be a major part of this presentation. Using examples and interactive exercises attendees will learn how the FLRA investigates and decides unfair labor practice charges.
Workshop Length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Leadership and Planning Series
Leadership and Planning Series
Workshop # 1 LP. Labor Relations Strategic Planning Seminar
The purpose of this seminar is, through a facilitated session with the leadership of an organization, to develop a strategic plan for successful labor relations. Using processes similar to those used in corporate strategic planning, management develops a vision and a plan for where it wants to be and how it is going to get there. The participants are guided through a planning session aimed at a final product which is a strategic plan with specific actions and goals for the present and the future. The emphasis is on understanding the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is from this understanding that an plan for successful labor relations will be developed.
Workshop length – 1 1/2 to 2 days
Maximum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – individuals in a leadership position in the organization
Presentation method – facilitated learning with total participation by attendees
Workshop # 2 LP. Results Based Labor Relations Leadership for Management Leaders
The purpose of this seminar is to develop managers to be effective leaders in labor relations using a results based leadership approach. The participants will be taught how to connect their leadership attributes with outcomes which are crucial to their organization. Results based leadership requires leaders to focus on what is important for the success of their organization. It forces leaders to think in terms of what they need to achieve. This workshop provides an approach to determine what is important and what the manager leader needs to do
to get the best outcomes for the organization.
Workshop Length – 1 day
Maximum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – facilitated learning
Workshop # 3 LP. Leadership Skills in Labor Relations
The purpose of this one day workshop is to provide leaders and potential leaders an opportunity to increase and develop their leadership skills. The presentation will cover such issues as: understanding the nature of labor relations, what management leaders need to know about unions and their role in labor relations, leadership skills necessary for effective leadership, how to remove barriers to successful labor relations and the outcomes that measure effective labor relations leadership. Emphasis will be placed on the individual development of leadership communication and approaches to successful leadership in an organization. New approaches to effective communication will be developed through a series of communication exercises. Each participant will come away from the training having learned a new approach to being an effective leader in labor relations.
Workshop length – 1day
Maximum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – management representatives
Presentation method – facilitated learning through interactive exercises
Workshop # 4 LP Joint Labor Relations Training
The purpose of this workshop is to give labor and management a general orientation to the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute. It will be a top to bottom review of the Statute to give them a good understanding of their role as union representatives and managers and the rights of management, union and employees under the Statute. It will familiarize the participants with all relevant labor relations terms and principles necessary to the conduct of an effective labor management relationship. The workshop will cover such issues as bargaining unit status, collective bargaining over changes in working conditions, meetings called by management, and what can and can not be said to a union representative. It will contain a number of interactive exercises which will require union working together to solve labor management problems.
Workshop length – 1 day
Maximum number of participants – 30
Intended participants – union representatives, employee, supervisors and managers.
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 5 LP Relationship Building Workshop.
The workshop will explore the current state of the labor management relationship and barriers to improvement. Facilitated discussion of issues and practical exercises will be used to develop better communication and understanding between the parties. If appropriate and requested by the participants, the facilitator may choose one particular issue in dispute and assist the participants in a problem solving approach to resolve the dispute. The product of the session can be a draft plan of action or joint resolution of intent for further improving and strengthening the relationship between management and the union.
Workshop length – 1 day
Maximum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – union representatives, supervisors and managers.
Presentation method – facilitated discussion and joint exercises.
Workshop # 6 LP The Labor Relations Game Show
Using a game show format participants learn about federal labor relations. Working together as teams and also individually participants vie for prizes as they answer questions about federal sector labor relations. Participants will learn about how labor relations works in the federal sector and what their rights and obligations are under law. It is a fun approach to learning aimed at using games as a learning format. Prizes will be of nominal value but of interest to the participants.
Workshop length – 8 hours
Maximum number of participants – 50
Intended participants – employees, union representatives, supervisors and manager
Presentation method – game show format with facilitation by presenter.
Equal Employment Opportunity Series
Workshop # 1 EEO Equal Employment Opportunity for Managers and Supervisors
The purpose of this workshop is to give management an overview of EEO procedures including a discussion of relevant case law as applicable. Part 1614 of the Code of Federal Regulations will be used to discuss the EEO process with a special emphasis on the Precomplaint and the Formal Complaint stages. Theories of discrimination will be explained including intentional discrimination, adverse impact, harassment and failure to make a reasonable accommodation. Emphasis will be on practical advice managers and supervisors.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Employee Relations Series
Workshop # 1 ER Managing Time and Attendance
Dealing with time and attendance issues can be one of the most frustrating responsibilities for a supervisor. Understanding the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act is an important requirement for supervisors to ensure the federal government is not liable for violating the law. The purpose of this workshop is to help supervisors to understand how to deal with time and attendance problems in the workplace and to ensure they understand the rules concerning overtime under the FLSA.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 20
Intended participants - managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and exercises
Workshop # 2 ER How to Effectively Counsel Employees
A critical approach to improving employee performance and conduct is employee counseling. Through extensive use of role plays supervisors and managers will learn effective communication techniques to greatly improve both performance and conduct counseling. The participants will be given the opportunity to learn new approaches and to practice new methods of dealing with employees in a counseling environment.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants - 10
Intended participants – supervisors and managers
Presentation method – role play and interactive lecture
Workshop # 3 ER Employee Relations for Supervisors
One of the hardest jobs a supervisor has is to deal with employees with problems. This program is aimed at helping supervisors to understand their different responsibilities in disciplinary and performance based actions which a supervisor must often use to correct or remove problem employees. It also provides a working knowledge of concepts such as reasonable accommodation, fitness for duty and alternative discipline. It is an intensive program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to properly manage their work force.
Workshop length – 2 days
Minimum number of participants – 10
Intended participants – supervisors and managers
Presentation method – exercises and lecture
Dispute Resolution and Facilitation Series
Workshop # 1 DRF Interest Based Bargaining
Interest based problem solving is an essential skill for managers and supervisors. Understanding how to resolve disputes in the workplace using interest based problem solving provides managers and supervisors with a skill which will law them to better manage the workplace. Participants will learn the steps in the interest based process and through the use of exercises and role play how to be successful in an interest based environment.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 10
Intended participants – supervisors and managers
Presentation method – exercises, role play and lecture
Workshop # 2 DRF Alternative Dispute Resolution
Understanding the role and use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) approaches to workplace conflict is a necessary knowledge for better dealing with workplace problems. The purpose of the program is to explain what ADR is, how it works and how to design an ADR system. The participants will work through approaches to ADR design using a case study approach or a current problem experienced by their agency.
Workshop length – 1 day
Minimum number of participants – 10
Intended participants – managers and supervisors
Presentation method – lecture and case study