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.

 
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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Why Some Agencies Are Pausing RIFs—and What It Means for You federal employment federal layoffs federal workforce mindfulness at work rif Jul 17, 2025

Some agencies that once charged ahead with mass reductions in force (RIFs) are now quietly tapping the brakes. Officially, they’re citing early retirements and voluntary departures as sufficient workf...

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Supreme Court RIF Ruling: What Judge Illston’s New Order Means federal employment federal layoffs judge illston rulings mspb appeals rif updates Jul 11, 2025

Federal employees nationwide have been bracing for mass reductions in force (RIFs) after the Supreme Court lifted Judge Illston’s previous block on agency layoffs. But a late Wednesday night ruling ha...

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How to Support a Federal Colleague or Loved One Facing RIF Anxiety federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness at work rif guidance workplace leadership Jul 10, 2025

When the Supreme Court green-lit broader Reduction in Force (RIF) measures, many federal employees began doom-scrolling in fear. If your teammate or loved one is among them, here’s how to show up mean...

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What Happens After a Federal RIF Notice federal employment federal layoffs mspb appeals reduction in force rif notices Jul 10, 2025

If you’ve received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice or fear one is coming, understanding what triggers a fresh 60-day notice—and what doesn’t—can protect your job, retirement timeline, and peace of m...

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Court Double Freezes Layoffs at Certain Parts of HHS federal employment federal layoffs hhs rif mindfulness at work mspb appeals Jul 02, 2025

Federal employees across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received unexpected news this week. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting planned reductions in force (RIFs...

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Navigating the Storm: What Project 2025 Means for Federal Employees federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness project 2025 schedule f Apr 10, 2025

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-page plan, spearheaded...

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Protecting Your Federal Career Amid Layoff Concerns federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness at work protect federal career rif procedures Mar 27, 2025

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 document is preliminary ...

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Pentagon Job Cuts: What Federal Employees Need to Know federal layoffs government workforce pentagon job cuts Mar 20, 2025

The federal workforce is undergoing one of the most significant shake-ups in history. The Department of Defense (DOD) is slashing up to 60,000 civilian jobs, with mass layoffs, hiring freezes, and res...

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The Latest Workforce Cuts Is History Repeating Itself—What You Need to Know federal employment federal layoffs job security mindfulness at work workforce rights Mar 18, 2025

The federal workforce is facing another round of mass job cuts—some of which are already being challenged in court. If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. The battle over federal employment has...

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Judges' Ruling to Reinstate Employees May Shake Up Federal Layoff Plans employee rights federal employment federal layoffs mindfulness at work workforce reduction Mar 14, 2025

The federal workforce just experienced a major shake-up. Two federal judges ruled that thousands of previously fired probationary employees were wrongfully terminated, forcing agencies to reinstate th...

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Top OPM Official Refuses to Testify About Mass Firings federal employment federal layoffs federal workforce rights opm firings probationary employees Mar 12, 2025

A stunning development is shaking up the federal employment world. The acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Charles Ezell, has refused to testify under oath about the mass firi...

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