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

Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Federal Protections

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There’s a Supreme Court showdown unfolding that every federal employee should be paying attention to. It centers on the case Trump v. Wilcox, and it may dramatically reshape how in...

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A $42M Move During a Hiring Freeze? Let That Sink In.

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Many federal employees are feeling stunned, frustrated—even betrayed—by the news that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is spending $166,000 to relocate just one employee ba...

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Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Budget Cuts

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If you work in global health, peacekeeping, foreign service, or federal development, you may be facing a sobering reality: deep, targeted cuts to programs that have defined your ag...

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Whistleblower Rights: What to Do If Things Changed After You Spoke Up

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It can feel like the ground shifts beneath you when your federal career suddenly takes a turn after reporting misconduct. Whether it's a demotion, denied promotion, investigation, ...

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A Public Website that Tracked Tax Dollars Vanished: Why This Matters to Feds

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A quiet but critical event has unfolded in federal government operations—one that should concern every federal employee. Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) called...

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When a RIF Notice Arrives: How to Face Uncertainty with Clarity

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If you've recently received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. The fear of job instability, abrupt change, and unanswered questions can ...

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What HHS Employees Need to Know About the April 1st RIF Notices

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If you're a federal employee at HHS and received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice dated April 1st—yes, April Fool’s Day—you’re not alone. But don’t let the timing distract you fro...

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Can Federal Agencies Monitor You With AI?

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You may have seen the headlines: claims that tech giants are using artificial intelligence tools—like Elon Musk’s Grok AI—to monitor federal employees’ communications. While this m...

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Tax Season at the IRS: When “Efficiency” Costs Us All

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Tax season is stressful enough for everyone. But imagine being the person behind the scenes—an IRS employee—trying to do your job amid forced return-to-office policies, internet ou...

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Whistleblower Safety Under Threat: What Feds Must Know

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If you work in a federal agency or care about worker safety, now is the time to pay attention. Over 50 active OSHA investigations are currently underway into Elon Musk’s companies—...

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How DOD Reforms and Project 2025 May Affect Your Career

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If you're a federal employee—especially at the Department of Defense—please take a deep breath and read carefully. Sweeping changes are underway. This week, the Pentagon launched o...

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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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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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