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

A Federal Judge May Reverse Mass Firings—Here’s What It Means for You

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If you’re a federal employee—especially one in probationary status—you may have heard about the recent mass firings that affected over 24,000 workers. The Trump administration’s de...

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The 5 F’s of Stress Relief for Federal Employees

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Are you feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or just plain exhausted by your federal job? If so, you’re not alone. The pressures of agency politics, job instability, and ever-changing ...

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Government Shutdown: What Federal Employees Need to Know

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Another government shutdown is looming, and if you’re a federal employee, you might be feeling anxious about what this means for your job, paycheck, and future. Let’s take a deep b...

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VA Employees: A Major Workforce Reduction Is Coming – Here’s How to Prepare

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If you work at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), your job security just changed. The VA has officially announced a department-wide reduction in force (RIF) and reorganizatio...

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Think Your Federal Job Is Safe? Think Again.

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Many federal employees assume their jobs are secure—until reality hits. Unfair discipline, probationary terminations, and return-to-office struggles can leave even the most dedicat...

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Federal Employees: Know Your Rights Amid Office Chaos

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If you've been paying attention to recent news, you know that federal employees are being forced back into office spaces that are barely functional—some without desks, working Wi-F...

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Mindful Strategies for Responding to Job Justification Emails

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Another weekend, another email demanding that you justify your job. If you’re feeling anxious, frustrated, or even harassed by these messages, you are not alone. This tactic is des...

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Federal RIFs: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself

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A major shift may be coming for federal employees. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have issued a new memo outlining a two-pha...

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Federal Employees: RIFs Are Coming—Here’s What You Need to Do Now

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Federal agencies are actively preparing for workforce reductions following an executive order issued on February 11, 2025. While we don’t yet know exactly how each agency will impl...

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Supreme Court’s Ruling on Independent Federal Officials: What Federal Employees Need to Know

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A recent Supreme Court decision has raised important questions about job security and independence within federal agencies. While the ruling may seem like a temporary victory for g...

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The Judiciary’s Role in Federal Oversight

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Recent legal developments surrounding foreign aid freezes highlight a critical aspect of our constitutional system: checks and balances. As federal employees, it’s essential to und...

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Protect Your Federal Career: Prepare for Potential RIFs Now

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If you’re a federal employee with civil service protections, it’s time to pay attention. Reports indicate that reductions in force (RIFs) may be on the horizon. While probationary ...

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The Mindful Federal Employee is part of a broader public-education ecosystem from Shaun Southworth, Lydia Taylor, and Southworth PC. Use the resource that fits the question and the moment.

Podcast

Civil Rights for Civil Servants

Hear Shaun Southworth and Lydia Taylor explain federal employee rights, public service, workplace systems, and the people navigating them.

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Mindfulness

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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.

Meet Shaun & Lydia

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