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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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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...
OPM Suitability Rule: 5-Day Removal Notices Ahead?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed a suitability and fitness rule that could reshape federal employment protections as you know them. The public comment period c...
Where Do RIF Layoffs Stand Today?
If you've received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice recently, you're not alone—and you're not without recourse. A federal judge in California issued a preliminary injunction again...
RIF Layoffs Still Frozen—What the Court's Ruling Means for You
Late last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift the injunction blocking government-wide reductions in force (RIFs) that stem from a recent Executive Order. For ...
How to Appeal a Federal RIF to the MSPB
If you’ve received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, you’re likely navigating shock, anxiety, and an avalanche of questions. As a federal employee, the stakes are high—your pensio...
How to Stay Grounded After a Federal Layoff or Suspension
When layoffs or removals hit the federal workforce, the damage runs deeper than numbers. These are lives interrupted—mothers, veterans, researchers—cut adrift often with little war...
Was Your RIF Illegal? Red Flags Federal Employees Should Look Out For
In recent months, we've seen a troubling pattern: federal agencies issuing Reduction in Force (RIF) notices that raise serious legal questions. According to some legal scholars and...
Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Recent RIF Challenges
The federal workplace can feel uncertain, especially now. If you've been affected by recent reductions in force (RIFs), or fear you might be, you’re certainly not alone. Recent dev...
New OPM Rule Changes Federal Probation Periods
If you’re a federal employee in your probationary year, a dramatic change just took place—and it could impact your job security overnight. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ...
Understanding the Latest Hatch Act Guidance
If you've been keeping up with recent developments, you know the Hatch Act landscape can shift quickly. On April 25, 2025, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued new guida...
How Federal Employees Can Protect Themselves After the Reporter Shield Rollback
A significant shift just happened that every mindful federal employee must understand: Attorney General Pam Bondi voided the 2021 Reporter Shield rule. From today on, prosecutors c...
Protecting Your Health Coverage After Unexpected FEHB Termination
If you or someone you know was a probationary employee at Commerce and recently experienced sudden health insurance termination, you're not alone. Many are feeling blindsided right...
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