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.

 
Mindful Breathing for Federal Employees Under Shutdown Stress employee wellness federal employment mindfulness at work shutdown stress southworth pc Oct 21, 2025

If you’re a federal employee facing missed paychecks or furlough uncertainty, you’re not alone. Across the country, public servants are carrying heavy stress—financial strain, disrupted routines, and ...

Continue Reading...
 
Federal Shutdown Day 21: What Federal Workers Need to Know back pay federal employees federal shutdown mindfulness at work rif litigation Oct 21, 2025

The federal shutdown has now stretched into week four—day 21—with no funding deal in sight. Senate Republicans met at the White House to signal unity, but neither side has shifted. The reality for fed...

Continue Reading...
 
Judge Expands Shutdown RIF Protections for Union Members federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rifs union rights Oct 20, 2025

There’s a major update out of federal court—and it affects thousands of you navigating the shutdown’s uncertainty. On Friday, Judge Susan Illston expanded and clarified the Temporary Restraining Order...

Continue Reading...
 
Chicago TRO Tightens Rules on Federal Agents and Use of Force civil rights federal employment federal law enforcement mindfulness at work use of force Oct 17, 2025

A federal judge in Chicago has issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that sharply limits how federal agents can police immigration-related protests. The ruling, prompted by reports of excessive f...

Continue Reading...
 
Partisan RIFs and the Law: Why Political Layoffs Are Illegal civil service protections federal employment mindfulness at work political retaliation rif law Oct 17, 2025

Federal employees, let’s cut through the noise. The President recently said upcoming federal layoffs would be “Democrat-oriented.” OMB followed with guidance urging agencies to “use this opportunity” ...

Continue Reading...
 
Interior RIFs May Defy Court Order: What Federal Employees Should Do federal employment mindfulness at work mspb rights rif appeals shutdown law Oct 17, 2025

Credible reports suggest that the Department of the Interior may begin mass layoffs as soon as Monday—even though a federal court order temporarily prohibits all shutdown-related RIFs. Judge Susan Ill...

Continue Reading...
 
“F It” Framework for Federal Employees Facing RIFs career transitions federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work rif Oct 15, 2025

When a RIF notice lands, it hits more than your inbox—it hits your nervous system, your family rhythm, and your ability to think clearly. While legal challenges continue, you still have agency today. ...

Continue Reading...
 
Shutdown Roundup: Pay, RIFs, and What Feds Must Do federal employment government shutdown mindfulness at work opm guidance rif Oct 14, 2025

Federal employees, here’s your no-spin roundup from Friday through Monday—and the steps to protect your pay, benefits, and rights amid this shutdown.

What Changed Friday–Monday

Friday: Agencies conf...

Continue Reading...
 
What to Do If You Receive a RIF Notice During the Shutdown federal employment mindfulness at work mspb rights rif appeals shutdown 2025 Oct 14, 2025

On October 10, 2025, the administration began issuing Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notices to roughly 4,200 federal employees—even as the government remained shut down. That move, unprecedented in prior s...

Continue Reading...
 
DHS Management-Directed Reassignments: What to Do Now dhs reassignments eeo retaliation federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals Oct 10, 2025

Hundreds of DHS employees were just told to accept rapid reassignments to border and immigration posts—or risk removal. That includes CISA cyber defenders, FEMA staff in storm season, and TSA and Coas...

Continue Reading...
 
When Leadership Feels Like Liability in Federal Service diversity equity inclusion federal employment mindfulness at work public service integrity whistleblower protections Oct 10, 2025

A New York Times story this week described how Black community leaders are holding their ground in a political climate that often treats their leadership as a threat. Reading it, I couldn’t help but t...

Continue Reading...
 
Federal Shutdown Back Pay: What the Law Really Says back pay federal employment government shutdown mindfulness at work omb guidance Oct 10, 2025

This week has been a rollercoaster for federal employees. On Wednesday, the IRS assured furloughed staff they were guaranteed back pay once the shutdown ends. By Thursday, that message vanished—litera...

Continue Reading...
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.