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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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Ninety Seconds Before the Rules Change Again: A Monday Practice
Federal employees are starting another week with headlines saying the rules changed again — and for a lot of people the shoulders are already up at the ears before the first cup of...
Finding Strength in Transition: How Federal Employees Can Use Mantras to Regain Focus, Peace, and Confidence
Introduction: The Weight of the DRP Decision
For many federal employees, the Discontinued Service Retirement (DRP) or early-out options feel like a lifeline when they first appear...
Box Breathing: A Simple Practice Every Federal Employee Should Know
If you’re a federal employee, you don’t need me to tell you that the stress is real. For more than 10,000 hours of my career, I’ve sat across from federal employees who are dedicat...
Surviving Federal RIFs, Telework Cuts, and Schedule F Risks
The ground beneath federal employees is shifting fast. In just three months we’ve seen an OPM initiative that could convert 50,000 positions—including 10,000 at SSA—into “at-will” ...
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) ...
Survey Reveals Most Americans Stand With Federal Employees
If you’re a federal employee feeling the weight of layoffs, silencing, or instability within your agency, you're not alone. Many dedicated federal workers across the country are ex...
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...
Navigating Increased Office Tracking in Federal Agencies
Recent reports have surfaced indicating increased scrutiny and monitoring of federal employees' office attendance and remote work habits. According to CBS News, a leaked memo from ...
Mindful Response to Sudden Return-to-Office Orders
Imagine relaxing on a Sunday evening, only to receive a text at 9:00 PM demanding you report to your duty station Monday morning—or risk losing your leave. This is not hypothetical...
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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Shaun Southworth & Lydia Taylor
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