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Shaun Southworth leading a federal employment training session with members of the Southworth PC team
 

2026 Federal Pay Raise: What Employees Need to Know

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Federal employees have been bracing for a pay freeze in 2026. But the White House’s just-released alternative pay plan delivers a modest surprise: a raise is back on the table—thou...

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OPM Orders FEHB and PSHB Plans to End Gender-Affirming Care Coverage

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On August 15, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a carrier letter that will dramatically change federal employee health benefits starting in 2026. For the first time, ...

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OPM’s New Awards Guidance: What Federal Employees Need to Know

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The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued new, government-wide guidance aimed at “targeting the highest-performing” federal employees for the largest awards and bonuses. ...

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OPM Orders Removal of COVID-19 Vaccine Records from Federal Files

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On August 8, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a government-wide directive requiring agencies to delete all records of federal employees’ COVID-19 vaccination s...

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New OPM Telework Guidance Strengthens Religious and Medical Accommodation Rights

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For federal employees navigating the return-to-office push, a quiet but powerful shift just occurred. Thanks to new guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and a piv...

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New OPM Rule Changes Federal Probation Periods

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If you’re a federal employee in your probationary year, a dramatic change just took place—and it could impact your job security overnight. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ...

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How Federal Employees Should Handle the OPM Email Request

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If you’re a federal employee who received an email from OPM asking for five bullet points on your work activities, you may be wondering how to respond—especially as major agencies ...

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Shaun Southworth & Lydia Taylor

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