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.

 
TSA Union Contract Reinstated After Federal Court Ruling administrative law federal employment mindfulness at work tsa union rights Jun 05, 2025

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...

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Federal Judge Warns State and HUD: RIF Violations May Trigger Contempt department of state federal employment hud layoffs mspb appeals rif injunction Jun 05, 2025

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...

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OPM’s Suitability Rule Could Gut Due Process Rights due process federal employment opm rule suitability standards whistleblower protections Jun 04, 2025

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 ...

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Legal Risks of OPM’s May 29 Hiring Memo dei ban federal employment first amendment rights merit system opm hiring memo Jun 04, 2025

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'...

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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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The Power of Pause: Why Rest Is a Federal Employee’s Best Asset burnout prevention federal employment merit systems mindfulness at work work-life balance May 30, 2025

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...

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Introducing Lydia Taylor: New Voice, Same Mission black federal employees dei in government federal employment hr policy mindfulness at work May 30, 2025

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...

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OPM’s New Hiring Memo: Loyalty Tests, Legal Risks & Schedule F 2.0 civil service reform dei in government federal employment political appointees schedule f May 30, 2025

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...

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House Bill Targets FERS Annuity Supplement and Adds New Filing Fees federal employment fers annuity supplement mindfulness at work mspb appeals retirement planning May 29, 2025

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...

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DOGE Lawsuit Could Reverse Musk-Led Agency Actions agency shutdowns appointments clause elon musk federal employment mindfulness at work May 29, 2025

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...

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Ninth Circuit Stay Decision Looms Large Over RIF Pause federal employment fehb mindfulness at work retirement planning rif appeals May 29, 2025

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...

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