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.
A significant legal decision out of Washington State has turned the tables for over 47,000 TSA officers—and may offer hope to federal employees everywhere concerned about due process, union rights, an...
For federal employees watching the ongoing Reduction in Force (RIF) litigation, the latest courtroom developments offer both reassurance and reason for vigilance. While the central legal question—whet...
OPM has proposed a major rule change that would allow agencies to remove current federal employees under the same "suitability" standards originally designed for applicants. Historically, suitability ...
Federal hiring may be undergoing a radical shift. The May 29, 2025, Merit Hiring Plan memo imposes new requirements that deviate sharply from the principles of neutral, skills-based selection. If you'...
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...
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 ...
Federal employees carry a unique kind of weight. Many of you are navigating intense responsibility while simultaneously facing disciplinary threats, probation stress, or workplace hostility. In this e...
At Southworth PC, we’ve always believed in showing up—early, often, and with purpose—for the federal employees who need us. Today, we’re proud to formally introduce someone who’s helped shape that mis...
The Hidden Agenda Behind OPM's New Hiring Memo
Federal employees are no strangers to shifting political winds—but a recent 19-page memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may signal someth...
What Survived the House Vote—And Why It Matters
Last week the House advanced the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” stripping out two headline-grabbing ideas—the move from a high-3 to a high-5 pension calcula...
Why This “Slow-Burn” Case Deserves Your Attention
News of the Reduction-in-Force injunction may dominate headlines, but a quieter lawsuit in Washington, D.C. could have an even broader reach. Fourtee...
Why One Court Order Holds Thousands of Careers in the Balance - Here are my answers to common questions we have received
Judge Illston’s nationwide injunction has frozen every Reduction-in-Force noti...
THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BRIEFING
Your Trusted Guide in Uncertain Times
Stay informed, stay protected. The Federal Employee Briefing delivers expert insights on workforce policies, legal battles, RTO mandates, and union updates—so you’re never caught off guard. With job security, telework, and agency shifts constantly evolving, we provide clear, concise analysis on what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do next.
📩 Get the latest updates straight to your inbox—because your career depends on it.
You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.