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

When Forced Office Returns Backfire—FDA’s Telework Reversal

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If you've been feeling the pressure of being forced back into the office—or if your reasonable accommodation (RA) request for telework has been denied or delayed—take a deep breath...

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Navigating the Storm: What Project 2025 Means for Federal Employees

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If you’ve been feeling a sense of unease lately, you’re not alone. Project 2025 is making waves across federal agencies—and many of you are already feeling the tremors. This 900-pa...

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“Hands Off”: Hold Strong Amid the Crisis in the Federal Workforce

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If you're a federal employee, you may be feeling a mix of burnout, uncertainty, and quiet determination. You're not alone—and you're not imagining the pressure. Whether it's loomin...

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When to Hire an Attorney as a Federal Employee—and When You Might Not Need One

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As a federal employment attorney who's spent over 20,000 hours in this field, I often get asked the same sincere question: “Do I really need an attorney?” The concern is real. Lega...

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The Promise—and Pitfalls—of Class Actions

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If you’re a federal employee counting on a class action lawsuit to shield you during a Reduction in Force (RIF) or agency restructuring, you might be setting yourself up for disapp...

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Supreme Court Pauses Rehire Order: What Probationary Feds Should Know

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In a legal development that’s raising eyebrows across the federal workforce, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a California judge’s order that would’ve required the Trump a...

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Fired Probationary Feds: Who’s Getting Reinstated—and Who’s Not

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A federal judge recently issued a major decision affecting thousands of probationary federal employees who were terminated during the Trump administration. While the original rulin...

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Will Your Federal Position Be Reclassified Under Schedule F?

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If you’ve recently received notice—or heard whispers—about a reclassification under “Schedule F,” you’re not alone. Federal agencies are currently reviewing positions, particularly...

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IRS Layoffs Have Started—Here's How to Mindfully Navigate a RIF

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If you've heard whispers about federal layoffs turning into reality, you're not alone. Late last week, the IRS began issuing Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, starting with its Off...

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Navigating IRS Layoffs with Clarity and Calm

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This week’s unexpected announcement from the IRS—cutting up to 25% of its workforce—is sending shockwaves through the federal community. Entire departments, like the Civil Rights O...

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Could Your Layoff Be a Mistake? What HHS Employees—and All Feds—Need to Know

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If you work at the Department of Health and Human Services—or know someone who does—you may want to sit down for this. This week, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledge...

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A Mindful Community for Federal Employees

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If you've been feeling isolated or overwhelmed in your federal job—whether it's due to disciplinary threats, a confusing probationary period, or agency-wide changes—you are not alo...

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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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