The Federal Employee Survival Blog

Cut through the jargon and get the clarity you need to stay a step ahead of agency politics. Each article unpacks new policy shifts, court rulings, and workplace trends, then turns them into actionable tactics—so you can head off discipline, invoke EEO or whistleblower protections with confidence, and keep your documentation airtight. We also archive our most popular social-media explainer threads here, giving you the same insights followed by more than 150,000 people online even if you never scroll on those sites. Read, prepare, and keep your federal career firmly in your control.

 
Shutdown RIFs and the Human Cost of Uncertainty employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals shutdown rif Oct 27, 2025

The latest shutdown-related Reduction in Force (RIF) filings put names, faces, and fears on record—reminders that behind every “cost-saving measure” are human beings who have served their country for ...

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The Fed Legal Help Insider — Coming Soon! federal employees federal podcast legal rights mindfulness at work workplace well-being Oct 27, 2025

I know it’s been a tough stretch for a lot of folks across the federal community, but Lydia and I have been working on something we’re really excited to share.

We’ve been quietly building a brand-new...

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Federal Shutdown 2025: Survival Steps and Legal Protections federal employment rights federal shutdown furlough guidance legal protections mindfulness at work Oct 27, 2025

Roughly 1.4 million federal employees have now missed a full paycheck. About half are furloughed; the rest are “excepted,” required to work without pay. The strain isn’t theoretical—it’s reshaping liv...

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Intentional Calm: Two Daily Habits to Steady Federal Workdays federal employment furlough stress mindfulness at work resilience workplace wellbeing Oct 27, 2025

For federal employees facing furloughs or ongoing instability, the sense of control can vanish overnight. One powerful way to regain balance is through intention—using deliberate, daily practices that...

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Can the President Order Military Strikes on Drug Boats? federal employment law of armed conflict military orders mindfulness at work whistleblower protections Oct 24, 2025

Since early September, reports have surfaced of U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The White House has justified the actions by claiming the ...

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Shutdown Negotiations Resume: What Federal Workers Need to Know back pay rights federal employment law federal shutdown mindfulness at work rif litigation Oct 24, 2025

There’s finally a hint of movement in Washington. As of Friday, October 24, 2025, two competing Senate bills—one from Senator Ron Johnson to pay “excepted” employees and the military, and another from...

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Shutdown RIF Case: Court Expands Federal Worker Protections federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rif case shutdown law Oct 23, 2025

Federal employees across agencies remain protected under Judge Susan Illston’s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which continues to block all shutdown-related Reduction in Force (RIF) actions. In sho...

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Inspector General Removals and Why Federal Employees Should Care federal employment inspectors general merit system mindfulness at work whistleblower protection Oct 22, 2025

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 rationale required by ...

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Mindful Breathing for Federal Employees Under Shutdown Stress employee wellness federal employment mindfulness at work shutdown stress southworth pc Oct 21, 2025

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, disrupted routines, and ...

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Federal Shutdown Day 21: What Federal Workers Need to Know back pay federal employees federal shutdown mindfulness at work rif litigation Oct 21, 2025

The federal shutdown has now stretched into week four—day 21—with no funding deal in sight. Senate Republicans met at the White House to signal unity, but neither side has shifted. The reality for fed...

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Judge Expands Shutdown RIF Protections for Union Members federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals rifs union rights Oct 20, 2025

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 Temporary Restraining Order...

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Chicago TRO Tightens Rules on Federal Agents and Use of Force civil rights federal employment federal law enforcement mindfulness at work use of force Oct 17, 2025

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 reports of excessive f...

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