2026 Power Learning Series - Building Confidence in Employee & Labor Relations (New) - Starting 8/25/2026
Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 08/25/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
Course Syllabus
Course Overview:
Learners will build practical knowledge and confidence in navigating the complex landscape of employee relations, understanding union structures and rights, and engaging effectively in the collective bargaining process. Each session is designed to be digestible, engaging, and immediately applicable to your day-to-day work.
Audience: Whether you are new to labor relations or looking to sharpen your skills, this course provides a structured, interactive learning experience grounded in real government workplace scenarios.
Learning Objectives - By the end of this three-part series, participants will be able to:
- Explain the foundations of employee relations and their importance in a government HR context
- Describe how unions are structured, certified, and how they operate within the public sector
- Identify the key legislation governing labor relations in government workplaces
- Navigate common employee relations challenges including performance issues, discipline, and workplace conflict
- Interpret collective agreement provisions and apply them to workplace situations
- Outline the stages of the collective bargaining process from preparation to ratification
- Demonstrate effective strategies for working collaboratively with union representatives
- Recognize the warning signs of escalating labor-management conflict and apply de-escalation approaches
Course Structure:
Session 1: Foundations of Employee Relations in Government - This opening session sets the stage for the full series. We explore what employee relations means in a government context, why it matters, and how HR professionals play a central role in shaping a healthy, productive, and legally compliant workplace. We examine the unique features of public sector employment and introduce the concept of unionized workplaces.
Session 2: Understanding Unions & Working Effectively with Union Representatives - This session, we pull back the curtain on how unions work — how they are formed, how they are structured, and what motivates union representatives. We explore the rights and responsibilities of both management and unions, and focus heavily on building effective, professional working relationships with union reps. Participants will work through a realistic scenario to apply key concepts.
Session 3: Collective Bargaining: Process, Strategy & Practice - This final session, we dive into the collective bargaining process — one of the most significant and sometimes misunderstood aspects of labor relations in government. We walk through each stage of bargaining from preparation to ratification, explore the HR professional’s supporting role, and discuss how to sustain positive labor-management relations beyond the bargaining table. Participants will leave with practical tools they can use right away.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans.
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 8/25/2026
- Completion Date: 9/8/2026
- Meeting 1: 8/25/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 9/1/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 9/8/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ETT
Certificate of Attendance:
You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy:
Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points:
PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
Leslie Tolliver, JD, SHRM-CP
HR Manager
City of Clayton, MO
HR Whisperer: HR Director by day and I moonlight as an HR consultant by night, unravelling the mysteries of the corporate world one employee issue at a time. If you have workplace drama, I'll sift through it like a detective solving a juicy mystery novel.
Attorney: I proudly wear the title of attorney, battling it out in courtrooms and boardrooms. But I've seen the light! I've transitioned to a new, exciting phase in my life. Now, I help others navigate the legal landscape, steering them clear of the pitfalls and landmines I once braved. Consider me your legal guide through the treacherous terrain, having survived the trenches and emerged wiser and, dare I say, with a slightly more humorous outlook on life. Mom of Four: But wait, there's more! In my superhero cape (or, more accurately, my "Mom jeans"), I wrangle not one, not two, but four mini-humans who insist on calling me "Mom." They've taught me more about negotiation and diplomacy than any law school ever could. Globetrotting Foodie: When I'm not arguing cases or parenting, I'm jet-setting around the globe in search of the world's most delectable delicacies. My passport might as well be a food journal with stamps, and my heart belongs to every street food vendor, Michelin-starred restaurant, and hole-in-the-wall eatery. Proudly Neurodivergent: Beneath it all, I'm a neurodivergent warrior. My brain works in wonderfully unique ways, and I embrace it with open arms. Think of me as the Picasso of thinking, with a canvas of brilliant ideas that might zigzag, swirl, or loop-de-loop - but always with a dash of brilliance. So basically, in my multifaceted world, I'm a legal luminary turned legal guide, an HR sorcerer, a mom to a formidable quartet, a global epicurean explorer, a neurodivergent pioneer, and a recovering attorney with tales to tell and wisdom to share!