Federal Employees: RIFs Are Coming—Here’s What You Need to Do Now

Federal agencies are actively preparing for workforce reductions following an executive order issued on February 11, 2025. While we don’t yet know exactly how each agency will implement these cuts, it’s crucial to start preparing now. A Reduction in Force (RIF) can be complex, and mistakes happen—errors in your records, misunderstandings about bumping and retreat rights, or agency misapplications of RIF criteria could cost you your job.

But you don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s go over what you need to check right now to stay ahead of the process.

1. Understand How RIFs Work

Agencies use specific competitive areas and levels to determine who stays and who goes. Your ability to move into another position may be limited if your competitive area is too small or if your job classification is too narrowly defined. This is why it's essential to understand how agencies group and categorize employees.

Additionally, retention registers rank employees based on tenure, veterans' preference, service computation date, and performance ratings. Agencies can make mistakes in how these factors are applied, and those mistakes could mean the difference between staying employed and being let go.

2. Verify Your SF-50 for Errors

Your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) contains critical information that determines your standing in a RIF. Check for accuracy in:
✅ Tenure (Career, Career-Conditional, etc.)
✅ Veterans' Preference (if applicable)
✅ Service Computation Date (seniority matters in RIF decisions)
✅ Position Classification (ensures correct placement in the RIF process)

Errors in any of these could unfairly weaken your job security. If you’re unsure how to check your SF-50, resources are available to help you understand what to look for.

3. Stay Informed and Take Proactive Steps

The Mindful Federal Employee Power Hub Membership is here to help you strategize, stay informed, and reduce stress during this uncertain time. Members receive:

🔹 The RIF Masterclass – A deep dive into how agencies rank and remove employees
🔹 Live Weekly Coaching Sessions – Expert guidance on RIFs, performance issues, and career security
🔹 The Power Guide – Essential knowledge on federal employee rights
🔹 A 30-Day Mindfulness Challenge – Tools to stay calm and focused

For just $19/month with a free 3-day trial, you can access these resources and gain peace of mind.

4. Get Daily Updates—For Free

If you’re not ready for the membership but still want crucial federal job updates, sign up for our free daily newsletter. Each day, we provide:
📌 Three federal workplace news stories that impact your job
📌 Legal and career protection tips
📌 A mindfulness tip to stay focused under pressure

Don’t leave your career to social media algorithms—get direct updates delivered to your inbox.

👉 Sign up here.

Final Thoughts

This is a challenging time for many federal employees, but knowledge is power. Understanding RIFs, checking your records, and staying informed will help you navigate this process strategically. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Stay mindful, stay prepared, and remember—you are not alone.

Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. While I am a federal employment attorney, this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is unique, and legal outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances.