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Civil Rights for Civil Servants
Hear Shaun Southworth and Lydia Taylor explain federal employee rights, public service, workplace systems, and the people navigating them.
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Avoid These Two MSPB Pitfalls if You’re Representing Yourself
For federal employees navigating a Reduction in Force (RIF) or other adverse action, representing yourself at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) can feel overwhelming. The s...
Deferred Resignations and the Hidden Toll on Federal Workers
A staggering 154,000 federal employees—nearly 7% of the civilian workforce—are being paid not to work. Known as deferred resignations, these arrangements remove employees from acti...
How to Fight a RIF Without Paying $5,000 For an Attorney
When a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice lands in your inbox, it can feel like the floor’s fallen out from under you. The panic, confusion, and urgency are real—especially when you l...
When Leadership Fails: What Federal Employees Deserve
A new survey shows what many of us already feel: 95% of federal employees are experiencing rising anxiety, depression, or insomnia in 2025. For those of you showing up to work desp...
How to File a RIF Appeal with the MSPB: Your Fast-Track Guide
When a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice lands in your inbox, the panic can be paralyzing. Questions spiral: What’s my deadline? Do I have any rights? Should I hire a lawyer? And whi...
When Nepotism Becomes a Career-Ending Mistake
The recent ousting of NIH’s Chief Operating Officer, Eric Schnabel, is more than office gossip—it’s a legal and career cautionary tale for federal employees across agencies. Schnab...
USDA’s Reassignments: What It Means If You’re Asked to Move
The USDA has announced a sweeping relocation directive impacting over half of its 4,600 D.C.-based employees. Staff are being told to report to duty stations in Raleigh, Kansas Cit...
Surprise RIFs by Email: What Federal Employees Must Know
Imagine logging off for the day—only to find an email notifying you that you've been separated from federal service, effective immediately. No warning. No exit ramp. If this scenar...
Judge Orders Full RIF Plans Released by July 23
A federal judge has ordered the release of agency-wide Reduction in Force (RIF) blueprints by July 23. If you’re a GS-9 or higher employee concerned about your job security, this r...
Will the Oyer Case Undermine Civil Service Protections?
A lesser-known legal challenge quietly gaining traction could have major implications for senior-level federal employees. In Oyer v. Department of Justice, DOJ argues that a longti...
What Federal Employees Should Know About Schedule G
Yesterday’s executive order unveiled Schedule G, a new employment category that could reshape the political staffing landscape across federal agencies. While it doesn’t directly im...
What Federal Employees Need to Know About the Latest HHS RIF
If you’re among the many federal employees stunned by a Reduction in Force (RIF) email, you’re not alone—and you’re not powerless. In the wake of HHS issuing revised RIF notices ti...
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