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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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When to Hire an Attorney as a Federal Employee—and When You Might Not Need One
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...
“Hands Off”: Hold Strong Amid the Crisis in the Federal Workforce
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...
The Promise—and Pitfalls—of Class Actions
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...
Supreme Court Pauses Rehire Order: What Probationary Feds Should Know
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...
Fired Probationary Feds: Who’s Getting Reinstated—and Who’s Not
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...
IRS Layoffs Have Started—Here's How to Mindfully Navigate a RIF
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...
Will Your Federal Position Be Reclassified Under Schedule F?
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...
Navigating IRS Layoffs with Clarity and Calm
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...
Could Your Layoff Be a Mistake? What HHS Employees—and All Feds—Need to Know
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...
A Mindful Community for Federal Employees
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...
Is the “Fork in the Road” Back? What Federal Employees Need to Know
If you've sensed a familiar chill in the air around your agency, you're not alone. Reports are surfacing that federal agencies are once again circulating what many of us remember a...
DEI Policy Changes: Seeing Things for What They Are
Policy changes around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) seem to be accelerating—and not always in ways that promote fairness. For many federal employees, particularly those wh...
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Shaun Southworth & Lydia Taylor
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