Court decisions and newspaper headlines make it very clear that employers who fail to train regarding employee expectations and obligations are at the highest risk of litigation, inefficiency and low workplace morale. In certain cases, failure to train can mean that employers are liable even for situations that were never reported to management. The programs offered by Jim Webber Training are designed to create enjoyable learning experiences that help employers remain in compliance with applicable laws and also foster the best possible working environments.
Most of the courses described below are offered in full or half-day sessions, and most topics can be tailored for a short "Breakfast Briefing" or "Brown Bag" presentation. In addition, detailed programs for managers and supervisors are available that combine a variety of topics in training series that can be presented over consecutive days or spread over a period of weeks -- any schedule that works best for your workplace. Jim Webber Training will work with you to develop an effective and meaningful learning experience for your team.
Here is a list of current training courses. Descriptions of each course can be found in the same order, below. Other topics can be developed -- just ask.
Duration: This is normally a half day class (3
hours). Special full-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to
cover certain topics in more detail.
Class Size: Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the employer’s
needs.
Audience: Employees without supervisory or management
responsibilities.
This class covers:
* The key definitions of harassment
* How harassment includes more than
sexual harassment
* Recognizing and discouraging behavior that violates company policy
* Bullying as a form of harassment
* Fostering a safe and respectful work
environment
* Judging behavior as a reasonable person
* Proper procedures for reporting
harassment
* Individual responsibility for
preventing unwelcome behavior
Duration: This is normally a half day class (3.5
hours). Special full-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to
cover certain topics in more detail.
Class Size: 30-35 is best. However, smaller and
larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the employer’s needs.
Audience: Employees with supervisory or management
responsibilities, regardless of title.
This class covers:
* The key definitions of harassment
* How harassment includes more than
sexual harassment
* Recognizing and discouraging behavior that violates company policy
* Bullying as a form of harassment
* Fostering a safe and respectful work
environment
* Judging behavior as a reasonable person
* Proper procedures for reporting
harassment
* Individual responsibility for
preventing unwelcome behavior * Supervisory responsibilities
Duration: This
is a full day class (6.5 - 7 hours). The course can be divided into two half-day sessions (the second day should be scheduled within a
week of Day One). Employers need to
allow employees at least one hour in addition to class time to complete their
writing assignments (see below).
Class Size:
Approximately 15-20 is best.
Audience:
Supervisors and Managers
This class covers the legal standards and best practices related to day-to-day
management, progressive discipline and corrective action. Following the lecture and case studies, we discuss general results of
the class members' writing assignments followed by 1-on-1 conferences to discuss
individual results.
Note: Employees who will be attending this course will
be provided with hypotheticals approximately two weeks prior to the course and
are expected to submit their writing projects to the instructor via email at least three days before the class. The brief writing assignment normally
will include elements of general employee coaching (minor misconduct/failure to
meet standards), a reprimand, positive evaluation and negative evaluation and/or a
discipline recommendation.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3.5 hours).
Special full-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to cover
certain topics in more detail.
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the
employer’s needs.
Audience: Supervisors and Managers
This
class covers the legal standards and best practices related to day-to-day
management, progressive discipline and corrective action.
Duration: This
is a full day class (6.5 hours).
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the
employer’s needs.
Audience:
Managers and supervisors
This
class combines elements from the courses “Performance Management” (without
writing skill component), “Nailing the Interview”, and “Managing Leaves,
Attendance and Accommodations.” In addition, elements from other courses can be added or substituted depending on the individual employer's training needs.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3.5 hours).
Special full-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to cover
certain topics in more detail or allow for detailed mock interviews.
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
Audience: Any
employee who may be called upon to conduct employment interviews.
This class covers the legal standards and best practices related to
employment interviews. There is an
emphasis on both practical skills (developing and conducting the interview) as
well as the many aspects of discrimination law that arise during the interview
process.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3.5 hours).
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
Audience:
Managers and Supervisors
This class covers the Employer’s basic obligations related to
attendance and disability accommodations under the FMLA, ADA, USERRA (military
leave) and similar laws.
Duration: This is normally a two-day class (6.5 hours on each day). The
second day can be a half-day session for smaller classes (less than 20
attendees) or if the employer wishes to condense the mock exercise.
Class Size: Approximately 20 – 25 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the employer’s
needs. For over 30 attendees, it may be necessary to enlist a
representative of the employer to assist with the mock exercises on Day Two.
Audience: Managers and supervisors who have
investigation responsibilities or who may have such responsibilities in the
future. This class covers the same
material as the “without mock investigation” course on Day One. At
the end of Day One, a hypothetical workplace complaint is presented and
employees are given time to prepare an actual investigation to be conducted on
Day Two. Attendees work individually at first, but then combine into
teams for final preparation and conducting the investigation. On Day Two,
the investigation is conducted and discussed.
Duration: This is normally a full-day class (6.5 hours). Special
half-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to cover the topic in less
detail.
Class Size: Approximately 20 – 25 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the employer’s
needs.
Audience: Managers and supervisors who have
investigation responsibilities or who may have such responsibilities in the
future.
This class covers workplace
investigations related to alleged harassment, discrimination or similar
employee conduct. It does not cover criminal investigations (i.e.
theft). Attendees will learn the fundamentals of conducting an effective
investigation including preparation, interviews, reaching conclusions,
documentation and legal standards. Although attendees will not
conduct a mock investigation, there are exercises in which attendees will
practice various investigation skills.
Duration: This
is normally a two- day class (6.5 hours on each day). The
second day can be a half-day session for smaller classes (less than 20
attendees) or if the employer wishes to condense the mock exercise.
Class Size:
Approximately 20-25 is best.
Audience:
Managers and supervisors
This
class covers the same topics as the course without a mock hearing. During Day One, a hypothetical case is
introduced. During Day One and the
morning of Day Two, employees prepare to present the case. During Day Two, attendees present an opening
statement, conduct a mock witness examination and deliver a closing
statement.
Duration: This
is normally a full day class (6.5 hours). Special half-day
sessions can be provided if employers wish to cover certain topics in less detail.
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the
employer’s needs.
Audience:
Managers and supervisors
The class covers the basics of preparing for and conducting
employment-related hearings (grievances/arbitrations, civil service,
unemployment, etc.). We address
gathering information, organizing it for presentation, questioning witnesses
and making oral argument.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3 hours).
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
Audience: All
employees
This class covers the different types of bias and stereotypes,
including how they form and how they impact the workplace. We also discuss tips for reducing bias and
for dealing with bias-related conflict.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3 hours).
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
Audience: All
employees
This class covers
general diversity issues, including how bias and a lack of respect in the workplace
can adversely affect the work environment.
The class addresses conflict that may stem from biases, how to recognize
biases and how diversity issues can affect the workplace.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3 hours).
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the
employer’s needs.
Audience:
This class is designed for supervisors and managers. A shorter version that does not address
management responsibilities can also be provided.
This class covers the legal obligations related to preventing
discrimination based on religion, including the EEOC’s guidelines
related to religious harassment and religious accommodations.
Duration: This
is normally a half day class (3.5 hours).
Special full-day sessions can be provided if employers wish to cover
certain topics in more detail.
Class Size:
Approximately 30-35 is best.
Audience: All
employees. (When an employer can
schedule separate classes for supervisors, there is added coverage of
supervisory responsibilities and documentation)
This
class covers the definition
of
“workplace violence” (what
workplace violence is and is not),
recognizing
potential warning signs as
well as de-escalation, prevention and safety techniques.
Duration: This is normally a half day class (3.5
hours).
Class Size: Approximately 30-35 is best.
However, smaller and larger class sizes can be conducted to meet the employer’s
needs.
Audience: All employees. This class covers how decisions are made
and the foundations of ethical decision-making. The content includes a
structure for making ethical decisions and ways to keep inappropriate
influences from affecting such decisions.
See description under Supervisory Skills courses, above.
Duration:
Varies, depending on the number of participants. A brief presentation about effective writing skills is offered for multiple participants, followed by individual 1-on-1 coaching. The coaching generally involves conferences
with individual employees that last approximately 30 minutes each. (Longer sessions are provided, as
needed). Because of the variable
timing, the fee for each class will be determined in advance based on the
number of participants.
Class Size:
Any number.
Audience: Any
employee with writing responsibilities.
At least one week prior to the conferences, individual employees submit writing samples to the instructor via e-mail. Samples can be any type of writing project,
up to fifteen pages. (Samples can be
portions of larger projects and can also consist of different projects). The
instructor will review the sample and provide constructive feedback to the
employee. Samples will be reviewed for
clarity – in other words, the effectiveness of the communication. Grammar and spelling are addressed only to
the extent that any issues interfere with the effectiveness of the
communication. This is NOT a grammar
course and no one need fear a dangling participle or split infinitive.
The courses listed below can be offered as part of a
retreat, management or all-employee meeting or as presentations at
conferences. (They can also be offered
as regular workplace training courses). In addition, portions of any full-length course can be modified for short presentations.
Duration: 1 to
1.5 hours.
Class Size:
Approximately 35 is best, but this course can be offered to any size of
group and works well as a “keynote” or all-attendee conference presentation.
Audience: All
employees, although the topic has been most well-received by Human Resources personnel
and managers.
This presentation looks at how “political correctness” (and the fear of being
labeled in a negative way) can thwart an employer’s diversity and
anti-harassment policies.
Duration: 1 to
1.5 hours.
Class Size:
Approximately 35 is best, but this course can be offered to any size of
group and works well as a “keynote” or all-attendee conference presentation.
Audience: All
employees.
This presentation addresses how stress can impact a person at work (and in
“real life”) and ways that individuals can reduce stress.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
Class Size: Any number.
Audience: All employees.
This presentation consists of the latest and/or most relevant postings from www.evilskippyatwork.com. The content changes over time and can be customized for particular audiences. The presentation is aimed at entertainment with leadership lessons underlying each story. The topic works best as a keynote or conference session.
