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

When You Receive a RIF Notice: Stay Grounded and Strategic

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If you’re a federal employee who’s just received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, you may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even blindsided. Please know this: you are not alone...

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How to Stay Grounded and Take Smart Action When A RIF Hits

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If you’ve just received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice—or you’re anxiously waiting to see if one is coming—know this: you’re not alone, and you are not powerless. What you’re go...

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Mass Layoffs at the HHS: Here's What You Can Do Next

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If you're a federal employee—especially in public health—you’ve likely heard the devastating news. Over 10,000 HHS employees were just swept out in one of the largest mass layoffs ...

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Navigating a Reduction in Force (RIF): Everything Federal Employees Need to Know

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As a federal employee, receiving a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice can be one of the most challenging and unsettling experiences of your career. If you’ve just received one, you’re...

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No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy: A Reminder to Federal Employees

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If you’ve logged into your government computer recently and noticed a stark privacy warning, you’re not alone. USDA employees saw it this week—and similar policies exist across nea...

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Can a President Strip Union Rights? NTEU Pushes Back With a Lawsuit

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Imagine this: one day you have collective bargaining rights, and the next, they’re gone—stripped away with the stroke of a presidential pen. That’s not fiction. It’s the stark real...

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Why Scientists Are Leaving—and Why It Matters

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A recent Nature poll suggests a staggering 75% of America’s top scientists are considering leaving the country. While online polls have their limitations, this figure raises a deep...

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Is National Security Being Used Against Federal Unions?

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A remarkable and deeply concerning legal move is unfolding—one that may affect the future of union protections for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. As we practice mindfu...

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Federal Judges Stood Up Federal Employees’ Rights

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If you're feeling anxious about the current political climate and its potential impact on your federal career, you're not alone. The uncertainty that comes with changes in administ...

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Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Layoff Concerns

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An exclusive Washington Post story has revealed a draft White House document suggesting that massive layoffs—ranging from 8% to 50%—may hit various federal agencies. While the docu...

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Federal Employees: What You Need to Know About the HHS Layoffs

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has just announced a major reduction in force (RIF), affecting over 10,000 federal employees across critical divisions such as the...

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Trump Admin's Legal Argument Could Threaten the Rule of Law

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Recent developments in federal court have raised serious concerns for federal employees who are tasked with upholding the rule of law. Last night, the administration made an extrao...

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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.

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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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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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