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.

 
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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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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Nationwide RIF Injunction: Why the Ninth Circuit Decision Matters federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals ninth circuit reduction in force May 28, 2025

Federal employees across 21 agencies—including the VA, IRS, and Department of Education—are holding their breath this week. A nationwide injunction blocking a massive Reduction in Force (RIF) plan is ...

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How This Week’s RIF Ruling Could Impact Your Federal Career federal employment mass layoffs mindfulness at work ninth circuit rif May 28, 2025

Federal employees on Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notices are standing on edge this week. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals may rule as early as May 29 on whether to lift a nationwide injunction blocking...

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A Warning Wrapped in Policy Shifts black federal workers civil service protections dei retaliation federal employment mindfulness at work May 27, 2025

Black federal workers—especially those in HR, EEO, DEI, and civil rights compliance roles—are being pushed out at an alarming rate. If you're paying attention, you know this isn't just happenstance. T...

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Preliminary Injunction Freezes RIF Actions Across Federal Agencies federal employment hr letters mindfulness at work ninth circuit rif injunction May 27, 2025

On May 23, Judge Susan Illston issued a pivotal preliminary injunction converting her earlier temporary restraining order into a longer-term legal block. This order prohibits all agencies named in the...

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Federal RIF Injunction: What GS‑9+ Employees Should Know drp buyouts federal employment mindfulness at work rif litigation telework rights May 23, 2025

On May 22, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston converted a temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction that blocks 21 federal agencies from issuing or finalizing Reduction in Force (RIF) n...

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Supreme Court Stay Imperils MSPB & NLRB Autonomy federal employment mindfulness at work mspb nlrb supreme court May 23, 2025

On May 22, the Supreme Court issued a late-night order allowing President Trump to remove the heads of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—without cause...

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A Federal RIF Freeze: What the Latest Court Ruling Means constitutional law federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals reduction in force May 22, 2025

Federal employees, especially those recently impacted by Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, received a powerful message this week: the law still protects your job. In a pivotal hearing, Judge Susan Ill...

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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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