ManagingHearingOffic ers

MANAGING HEARING OFFICERS : 

MANAGING HEARING OFFICERS

Florida : 

Florida Lower Authority Docketed 175,603 Disposed 171,816 160 Referees 100 Clerk’s Office and Support Higher Authority Docketed 22,613 Disposed 19,646 26 Attorneys 17 Support

MANAGING THE HEARING PROCESS : 

MANAGING THE HEARING PROCESS Docketing – documents and catching problems Scheduling – documents and catching problems Deputy Clerk’s – review notice and decision for errors, talk with parties, Advantage of Telephone hearings when issues arise

MANAGING LEAVE : 

MANAGING LEAVE Leave requests in advance of scheduling. Minimize concurrent leave. Look at seasonal fluctuations in case load. Allow heavy scheduling before or after leave. Team Leads and Administrators cover sick leave where possible

MANAGING PERFORMANCE : 

MANAGING PERFORMANCE Look at overall job performance Look at specific performance for Appeals Number of cases disposed FRC Scores- at least one per quarter Remands for due process errors Reversal Rate Free of errors requiring corrected decisions Free of valid complaints against the hearing officer

MANAGING MOTIVATION : 

MANAGING MOTIVATION The economy has been a motivator. Merit raises and some across the board raises in the last four years. Pursuit of promotional opportunities Recognition of employees.

MANAGING JOB KNOWLEDGE : 

MANAGING JOB KNOWLEDGE Training must be an integral part of every day for every employee.

NEW EMPLOYEES : 

NEW EMPLOYEES Trained over 70 Referees since 2008. Most with only a bachelor's degree. Most with no unemployment compensation experience. Many with little work experience.

NEW EMPLOYEE : 

NEW EMPLOYEE Classroom for four days Discuss cases at scheduling Discuss case before hearing Listen to hearing Advise during hearing using instant messaging Discuss facts after hearing Review findings of facts and discuss analysis and conclusions of law Review and edit full decision Pair up new hearing officers for early hearings More Classroom training

NEW EMPLOYEE : 

NEW EMPLOYEE Schedule quit to moves then separations. Schedule two hearing per day. Add another hearing per day each week or so based on ability up to 30 to 35 hearing per week. Every two weeks or so add a new topic with small group training. Provide law, cases, example of decision and listen to a hearing.

TEAM LEADS : 

TEAM LEADS Experienced referees who assist in training and oversight of new employees Provide regular training to the team leads on Systems Processes outside appeals Hearing processes Specific Law Issues How to train

ROUTINE INFORMATION : 

ROUTINE INFORMATION Staff Meetings Discuss Remands Discuss Reversals Pick a topic and discuss in depth Gripe Session Ask Questions Go over FRC’s

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE : 

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE Discussion or assistance with cases Listen In Instant Messaging Review of Decisions Discussion Ask don’t tell What is the Statute, the Rule, the Court Order, The Higher Authority Order? Comments from Higher Authority Attorney’s

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE : 

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE When concerns arise relative to a specific hearing officer Trainer and Administrator Discuss and evaluate issues. Trainer puts together a training plan Trainer works with HO to address specific issues.

OFF THE RECORD : 

OFF THE RECORD Newsletter format . Provides statistical information on remands and reversals. Discusses topics that showed up in remands and reversals. Discusses changes in statute or federal regulations and new case law. Discusses new programs such as EUC. Provides information from the Administrator. Puzzles or issue questions.

CONTRACT TRAINING : 

CONTRACT TRAINING In 2006 Florida and Georgia provided NJC training to all referees. In 2009 began providing equivalent training to all hearing officers hired since 2006 who have at least 6-months experience.

CONTRACT TRAINING : 

CONTRACT TRAINING Training lasts two and one-half days Training covers: Ethics Due Process Developing the Record Credibility and Competence of the Witness Hearsay Document Evidence Findings of Fact

CONTRACT TRAINING : 

CONTRACT TRAINING Next years Training: Evidence in depth Hearsay in depth Decision writing Team leads and Managers will receive training beginning this fall regarding in-depth issues and how to train hearing officers regarding those issues.

CONTRACT TRAINING : 

CONTRACT TRAINING Team leads and Managers will receive training beginning this fall regarding in-depth issues and how to train hearing officers regarding those issues.