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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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After DOGE’s Implosion: The Silent Shift in Federal Workforce Cuts
When news broke that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had effectively collapsed, many federal employees felt a surge of relief. But the reporting behind DOGE’s implos...
MSPB RIF Appeal Deadlines: Why Filing Early Matters
When a federal Reduction in Force (RIF) strikes, the clock starts ticking fast. Under Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) rules, you generally have 30 days from the later of (1) ...
How to Challenge a RIF at the MSPB Using the 3-Layer Error Hierarchy
If you're facing a Reduction in Force (RIF) and appealing to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)—especially on your own—there’s one legal insight that could change everything...
How to Fight a RIF Without Paying $5,000 For an Attorney
When a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice lands in your inbox, it can feel like the floor’s fallen out from under you. The panic, confusion, and urgency are real—especially when you l...
What the McMahon v. New York Ruling Means for Federal Layoffs
Federal employees, especially those affected by recent RIFs at the Department of Education, are right to feel unsettled. In McMahon v. New York, the Supreme Court issued a brief, u...
What the State Department, Education, and HHS RIFs Mean for Federal Employees
The July 11 layoff notices at the U.S. State Department sent shockwaves through the federal workforce. More than 1,350 employees—civil service and Foreign Service alike—were told t...
State Department RIFs: Key Steps for Federal Employees
The State Department has confirmed reductions in force (RIFs) targeting roughly 3,400 positions, with around 2,000 notices expected to arrive imminently—possibly today. Roles tied ...
What Happens After a Federal RIF Notice
If you’ve received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice or fear one is coming, understanding what triggers a fresh 60-day notice—and what doesn’t—can protect your job, retirement time...
No Department-Wide RIF at VA – But Don’t Let Your Guard Down
VA Secretary Doug Collins announced that a department-wide reduction in force (RIF) is officially “off the table.” For many federal employees, this lifts the heavy fear of 70,000–8...
Nationwide RIF Injunction: Why the Ninth Circuit Decision Matters
Federal employees across 21 agencies—including the VA, IRS, and Department of Education—are holding their breath this week. A nationwide injunction blocking a massive Reduction in ...
A Federal RIF Freeze: What the Latest Court Ruling Means
Federal employees, especially those recently impacted by Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, received a powerful message this week: the law still protects your job. In a pivotal hear...
Federal Judge Signals Possible Block on Trump-Era RIF Orders
Federal employees facing a potential layoff under a controversial executive order may have just gained a powerful ally: the U.S. Constitution. On May 9, a federal judge in San Fran...
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