Shutdown RIFs and the Human Cost of Uncertainty
employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals shutdown rif Oct 27, 2025The latest shutdown-related Reduction in Force (RIF) filings put names, faces, and fears on record—reminders that behind every “cost-saving measure” are human beings who have served their country for decades. These declarations, filed by the plaintiffs, reveal how deep the pain runs when stability vanishes overnight.
Daniel, a U.S. Air Force veteran now working at the FAA, recently survived a life-saving kidney transplant. His medication isn’t optional—it’s the difference between life and death. The shutdown’s disruption to his health coverage turned that medical reality into a legal and financial cliff.
Dorothy has given over forty years of service to the CDC. She took out a personal loan to pay for her child’s tuition and ongoing medical bills, all while continuing to show up for the public she’s served for decades. Her quiet question—“How do I protect what I’ve worked for my whole life?”—captures the anxiety many long-time federal employees now face.
LaMarla, who works in housing counseling, was on maternity leave when her termination notice arrived. Instead of recovery and bonding with her newborn, she’s juggling calculations about child care and insurance coverage. For her, like so many others, this shutdown isn’t theoretical—it’s personal.
And then there’s the CDC employee who finally saw a light at the end of her medical-debt tunnel. Just as she prepared to make her last payment, the shutdown hit. Those funds now go to diapers and formula. Or the program analyst at the Minority Business Development Agency, already displaced by a previous RIF, now planning trips to a food pantry while worrying about retaliation for speaking out.
These stories are not exceptions—they’re evidence of the human toll of policy decisions made far above the paycheck line.
A 60-Second Grounding Practice for Federal Employees
If you see your own reflection in these stories, pause here. You can’t control congressional negotiations, but you can reclaim your next breath. Try this one-minute practice used in mindfulness-based stress reduction programs:
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Sit back and feel both feet on the floor.
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Inhale slowly through your nose for four counts, exhale for six. Repeat three times.
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Name three things that are true and steady:
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“I’ve managed hard things before. I can do it again.”
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“Breathe. Focus. Take the next right step.”
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“I don’t have to solve everything today.”
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Place a hand over your heart and remind yourself: For the next hour, I’ll focus on what I can control.
This small act doesn’t erase hardship, but it restores agency—something every federal worker deserves to feel, even in crisis.
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.
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