The Federal Employee Survival Blog

Cut through the jargon and get the clarity you need to stay a step ahead of agency politics. Each article unpacks new policy shifts, court rulings, and workplace trends, then turns them into actionable tactics—so you can head off discipline, invoke EEO or whistleblower protections with confidence, and keep your documentation airtight. We also archive our most popular social-media explainer threads here, giving you the same insights followed by more than 150,000 people online even if you never scroll on those sites. Read, prepare, and keep your federal career firmly in your control.

 
Deferred Resignations and the Hidden Toll on Federal Workers civil service reform deferred resignation federal employment merit systems mspb appeals Jul 31, 2025

A staggering 154,000 federal employees—nearly 7% of the civilian workforce—are being paid not to work. Known as deferred resignations, these arrangements remove employees from active duty, often under...

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Religious Displays vs. Pride Flags: What Federal Law Really Says eeo complaints federal employment lgbtq rights religious accommodation title vii Jul 31, 2025

In July 2023, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo reminding agencies that personal expressions—religious or secular—must be treated evenhandedly in the federal workplace. This means...

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How to Prepare for a Possible Government Shutdown federal employment financial preparedness furlough guidance government shutdown mindfulness at work Jul 30, 2025

As of now, Congress has failed to pass 10 of the 12 required spending bills, with current funding set to expire at midnight on September 30. For federal employees, that means it’s time—again—to brace ...

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How to Fight a RIF Without Paying $5,000 For an Attorney federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals reduction in force rif defense Jul 30, 2025

When a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice lands in your inbox, it can feel like the floor’s fallen out from under you. The panic, confusion, and urgency are real—especially when you learn the deadline to...

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Schedule G and the Return of At-Will Federal Jobs civil service protections executive order 14317 federal employment political appointments schedule g Jul 30, 2025

On July 29, the Office of Personnel Management quietly released guidance that could reshape the federal civil service overnight. The memo explains how agencies can begin using a new employment categor...

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When Leadership Fails: What Federal Employees Deserve civil service protections federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals toxic leadership Jul 29, 2025

A new survey shows what many of us already feel: 95% of federal employees are experiencing rising anxiety, depression, or insomnia in 2025. For those of you showing up to work despite chaos from above...

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How to File a RIF Appeal with the MSPB: Your Fast-Track Guide federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals pro se representation rif Jul 29, 2025

When a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice lands in your inbox, the panic can be paralyzing. Questions spiral: What’s my deadline? Do I have any rights? Should I hire a lawyer? And while some answers depe...

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Paul Ingrassia Nomination Delayed: What Federal Workers Should Know civil service rights federal employment mindfulness at work osc nomination whistleblower protections Jul 25, 2025

Last week, something rare happened in Washington: a pause that actually protects the federal workforce. The Senate abruptly yanked the confirmation hearing for Paul Ingrassia, a controversial nominee ...

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When the System Feels Against You, Breathe box breathing coping with stress federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness at work Jul 25, 2025

It’s not hyperbole to say this year has shaken the foundation for many federal employees. Being labeled “swamp creatures” or blamed for systemic dysfunction is not new—but the current political climat...

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When Nepotism Becomes a Career-Ending Mistake conflict of interest federal employment mspb appeals nepotism law whistleblower protection Jul 24, 2025

The recent ousting of NIH’s Chief Operating Officer, Eric Schnabel, is more than office gossip—it’s a legal and career cautionary tale for federal employees across agencies. Schnabel allegedly steered...

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USDA’s Reassignments: What It Means If You’re Asked to Move directed reassignment federal employment locality pay mspb appeals usda relocation Jul 24, 2025

The USDA has announced a sweeping relocation directive impacting over half of its 4,600 D.C.-based employees. Staff are being told to report to duty stations in Raleigh, Kansas City, Fort Collins, Sal...

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Ninth Circuit Pauses RIF Disclosure Order—What It Means for Feds federal employment government transparency mindfulness at work ninth circuit stay rif litigation Jul 24, 2025

On July 18, 2025, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to disclose details of 40 reduction-in-force (RIF) plans affecting 17 federal agencies. That breakthrough offered a glimmer of transp...

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