The Federal Employee Survival Blog

Cut through the jargon and get the clarity you need to stay a step ahead of agency politics. Each article unpacks new policy shifts, court rulings, and workplace trends, then turns them into actionable tactics—so you can head off discipline, invoke EEO or whistleblower protections with confidence, and keep your documentation airtight. We also archive our most popular social-media explainer threads here, giving you the same insights followed by more than 150,000 people online even if you never scroll on those sites. Read, prepare, and keep your federal career firmly in your control.

 
Mindful Tools for Federal Employees Facing RIF Anxiety federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work rif anxiety stress reduction Jul 09, 2025

If recent Reduction in Force (RIF) discussions have you feeling exhausted, you’re not alone. Many federal employees are riding an emotional rollercoaster this year—navigating shifting budgets, mission...

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No Department-Wide RIF at VA – But Don’t Let Your Guard Down federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force va rif Jul 07, 2025

VA Secretary Doug Collins announced that a department-wide reduction in force (RIF) is officially “off the table.” For many federal employees, this lifts the heavy fear of 70,000–80,000 rumored cuts t...

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OPM Suitability Rule: 5-Day Removal Notices Ahead? due process federal employment federal employee rights mspb appeals opm suitability rule removal notice period Jul 02, 2025

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed a suitability and fitness rule that could reshape federal employment protections as you know them. The public comment period closes tomorrow, July...

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Where Do RIF Layoffs Stand Today? federal employee rights federal employment mspb appeals rif layoffs supreme court Jun 04, 2025

If you've received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice recently, you're not alone—and you're not without recourse. A federal judge in California issued a preliminary injunction against the administratio...

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RIF Layoffs Still Frozen—What the Court's Ruling Means for You federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif layoffs Jun 03, 2025

Late last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift the injunction blocking government-wide reductions in force (RIFs) that stem from a recent Executive Order. For now, that means any ...

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How to Appeal a Federal RIF to the MSPB federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif May 22, 2025

If you’ve received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, you’re likely navigating shock, anxiety, and an avalanche of questions. As a federal employee, the stakes are high—your pension, health benefits, ...

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How to Stay Grounded After a Federal Layoff or Suspension federal employee rights federal employment layoffs mindfulness at work mspb appeals May 20, 2025

When layoffs or removals hit the federal workforce, the damage runs deeper than numbers. These are lives interrupted—mothers, veterans, researchers—cut adrift often with little warning and even less s...

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Was Your RIF Illegal? Red Flags Federal Employees Should Look Out For federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif appeals May 19, 2025

In recent months, we've seen a troubling pattern: federal agencies issuing Reduction in Force (RIF) notices that raise serious legal questions. According to some legal scholars and judges, many of the...

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Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Recent RIF Challenges career protection federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness rif lawsuit Apr 30, 2025

The federal workplace can feel uncertain, especially now. If you've been affected by recent reductions in force (RIFs), or fear you might be, you’re certainly not alone. Recent developments—including ...

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New OPM Rule Changes Federal Probation Periods federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness opm guidance probationary period Apr 30, 2025

If you’re a federal employee in your probationary year, a dramatic change just took place—and it could impact your job security overnight. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued new guida...

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Understanding the Latest Hatch Act Guidance career protection federal employee rights federal employment hatch act mindfulness Apr 29, 2025

If you've been keeping up with recent developments, you know the Hatch Act landscape can shift quickly. On April 25, 2025, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued new guidance affecting federa...

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How Federal Employees Can Protect Themselves After the Reporter Shield Rollback federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness reporter shield rollback whistleblower protection Apr 28, 2025

A significant shift just happened that every mindful federal employee must understand: Attorney General Pam Bondi voided the 2021 Reporter Shield rule. From today on, prosecutors can subpoena journali...

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