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.
Listen to the podcastNews, rights, tools & learning
Federal Employee Resource Center
Search timely updates, plain-English explainers, practical guides, podcasts, and mindful-action resources. Start with the question you are trying to answer.
Department of Defense vs. Department of War: What the Law Actually Says
If you’ve seen talk of “restoring the Department of War,” you’re not imagining it—but the legal reality is simpler than the headlines. Under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, the Departmen...
Inspector General Removals and Why Federal Employees Should Care
On October 15, the White House removed Parisa Salehi, the Senate-confirmed Inspector General (IG) at the Export-Import Bank—without giving Congress the 30-day notice and written ra...
SSA Shutdown AWOL Policies May Violate the Rehabilitation Act
Federal employees classified as “excepted” during the shutdown—especially at SSA—are facing a confusing mix of leave cancellations, telework denials, and AWOL threats. If this soun...
Mindful Breathing for Federal Employees Under Shutdown Stress
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, disr...
Shutdown RIF Update: Interior’s Numbers, TRO Expansion, and What Comes Next
Federal employees, here’s where things stand in the AFGE/AFSCME case that’s temporarily blocking shutdown-related RIFs. As of this week, the Department of the Interior has disclose...
Judge Expands Shutdown RIF Protections for Union Members
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 Tempora...
Chicago TRO Tightens Rules on Federal Agents and Use of Force
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 re...
Partisan RIFs and the Law: Why Political Layoffs Are Illegal
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 “us...
Interior RIFs May Defy Court Order: What Federal Employees Should Do
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 R...
NASA Union Rights Lawsuit Tests Presidential Power
Last week, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) filed a second lawsuit against the administration—this time over NASA. In March, the Preside...
Federal Judge Halts Shutdown-Based RIFs Nationwide
In a sweeping move late Thursday, Judge Susan Illston of the Northern District of California issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) stopping the administration from carrying ou...
“F It” Framework for Federal Employees Facing RIFs
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...
More ways to learn
Choose the format that helps you understand what is happening.
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.
Mindfulness
Work Peacefully
Use practical mindfulness tools to create space between workplace pressure and the decision you make next.
Explore mindfulness resourcesAbout 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 & LydiaThe Federal Employee Briefing
The important developments, without the all-day scroll.
Join 3,900+ federal employees getting sourced workforce news and practical next steps on weekdays. It is a free public-service resource from Southworth PC.