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

The 4th Circuit Just Shielded Millions of Federal Records

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Yesterday, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a major ruling with implications for every federal employee and retiree. By a narrow 9–6 vote, the court upheld Judge Holla...

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FDA is Mapping an Exit for Routine Food Safety Inspections Nationwide

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In a quietly brewing shift, the FDA is reportedly preparing to offload routine food safety inspections to state and local agencies—many of which are already underfunded and overext...

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When a RIF Feels Like a Bad Joke: Protecting Your Privacy and Peace of Mind

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If you’re an HHS employee who received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice on April 1st, you already know this doesn’t feel like a coincidence—it feels like a punchline. But the real...

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When Forced Office Returns Backfire—FDA’s Telework Reversal

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If you've been feeling the pressure of being forced back into the office—or if your reasonable accommodation (RA) request for telework has been denied or delayed—take a deep breath...

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Is National Security Being Used Against Federal Unions?

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A remarkable and deeply concerning legal move is unfolding—one that may affect the future of union protections for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. As we practice mindfu...

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Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Layoff Concerns

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An exclusive Washington Post story has revealed a draft White House document suggesting that massive layoffs—ranging from 8% to 50%—may hit various federal agencies. While the docu...

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Trump Admin's Legal Argument Could Threaten the Rule of Law

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Recent developments in federal court have raised serious concerns for federal employees who are tasked with upholding the rule of law. Last night, the administration made an extrao...

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The Latest Workforce Cuts Is History Repeating Itself—What You Need to Know

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The federal workforce is facing another round of mass job cuts—some of which are already being challenged in court. If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. The battle over fe...

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Federal Employees: Required to Report to Office Hundreds of Miles Away? Here's What You Can Do.

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Have you suddenly received an email ordering you to report to an office hundreds of miles away—without notice? If so, you’re not alone. Many federal employees are facing abrupt rel...

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Judges' Ruling to Reinstate Employees May Shake Up Federal Layoff Plans

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The federal workforce just experienced a major shake-up. Two federal judges ruled that thousands of previously fired probationary employees were wrongfully terminated, forcing agen...

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Federal Judge Orders Reinstatement of Fired Employees

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In a groundbreaking decision, a federal judge has ruled that thousands of federal employees who were previously fired must be reinstated. This ruling is a major win for federal wor...

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Elon Musk’s Federal Workforce Overhaul Faces Legal Scrutiny

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A major legal battle is unfolding, and it could impact thousands of federal employees. A federal judge has ordered Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to hand ove...

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About the people behind the work

Shaun Southworth & Lydia Taylor

Meet the federal employment attorneys behind this public-education work and the podcast Civil Rights for Civil Servants.

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