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.

 
D.C. Circuit Ruling Threatens Union Rights for Federal Workers collective bargaining executive orders federal employment mindfulness at work union rights Jul 17, 2025

On July 16, 2025, the D.C. Circuit Court allowed President Trump’s executive order to take effect, redefining more than 30 federal agencies as “national-security” operations. While the name sounds tec...

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Agencies Reassess RIFs Amid Voluntary Exits and Legal Pressure federal employment legal rights mindfulness at work opm rif Jul 16, 2025

If you’re a federal employee watching the Reduction in Force (RIF) situation unfold, you’re likely feeling the emotional whiplash. Just this week, the White House admitted to tracking 70 active RIF ac...

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What the McMahon v. New York Ruling Means for Federal Layoffs federal employment mcmahon v. new york mindfulness at work reduction in force supreme court shadow docket Jul 16, 2025

Federal employees, especially those affected by recent RIFs at the Department of Education, are right to feel unsettled. In McMahon v. New York, the Supreme Court issued a brief, unsigned “Shadow Dock...

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DOJ Blocks Release of RIF Plans in California Federal Layoff Case doj lawsuit federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif layoffs Jul 16, 2025

A new filing in the California RIF lawsuit reveals the Biden administration’s decision to keep federal layoff plans—formally called Agency RIF & Reorganization Plans (ARRPs)—under wraps. For federal e...

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What the State Department, Education, and HHS RIFs Mean for Federal Employees federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals reduction in force supreme court shadow docket Jul 15, 2025

The July 11 layoff notices at the U.S. State Department sent shockwaves through the federal workforce. More than 1,350 employees—civil service and Foreign Service alike—were told their positions are b...

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SC Ruling Allows Federal Layoffs at Education Department to Proceed civil service rights federal employment mindfulness at work rifs scotus lets education department rifs move forward supreme court Jul 14, 2025

A new Supreme Court order has intensified the uncertainty for federal employees affected by Reduction in Force (RIF) actions—and it’s part of a growing trend. In McMahon v. New York, the Court allowed...

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What to Do If You're Hit by a RIF at State or Any Federal Agency federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif appeals state department layoffs Jul 14, 2025

Last Friday, over 1,300 employees at the State Department received notice of a Reduction in Force (RIF). Most were career civil servants; some were Foreign Service officers. For many, the 60-day separ...

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State Department RIFs: Key Steps for Federal Employees eopf audit federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force state department rif Jul 11, 2025

The State Department has confirmed reductions in force (RIFs) targeting roughly 3,400 positions, with around 2,000 notices expected to arrive imminently—possibly today. Roles tied to passports, visas,...

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How to Support a Federal Colleague or Loved One Facing RIF Anxiety federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness at work rif guidance workplace leadership Jul 10, 2025

When the Supreme Court green-lit broader Reduction in Force (RIF) measures, many federal employees began doom-scrolling in fear. If your teammate or loved one is among them, here’s how to show up mean...

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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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What the Supreme Court’s Trump v. AFGE Order Means for Federal Employees federal employment law federal rif mindfulness at work supreme court trump v. afge Jul 09, 2025

Federal employees woke up yesterday to urgent news: the Supreme Court lifted the injunction blocking agency Reduction in Force (RIF) plans. Here’s what you need to know to protect your job, your peace...

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Federal Hiring Freeze Extended: What Feds Need to Know federal employment law federal hiring freeze merit hiring plan mindfulness at work opm waivers Jul 08, 2025

On July 7th, President Trump issued a memorandum extending the federal civilian hiring freeze until October 15, 2025. For GS-9 and above employees navigating an already shifting workplace, here’s what...

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