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.

 
Nationwide RIF Injunction: Why the Ninth Circuit Decision Matters federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals ninth circuit reduction in force May 28, 2025

Federal employees across 21 agencies—including the VA, IRS, and Department of Education—are holding their breath this week. A nationwide injunction blocking a massive Reduction in Force (RIF) plan is ...

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A Federal RIF Freeze: What the Latest Court Ruling Means constitutional law federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals reduction in force May 22, 2025

Federal employees, especially those recently impacted by Reduction in Force (RIF) notices, received a powerful message this week: the law still protects your job. In a pivotal hearing, Judge Susan Ill...

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Federal Judge Signals Possible Block on Trump-Era RIF Orders afge v. trump executive orders federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force May 09, 2025

Federal employees facing a potential layoff under a controversial executive order may have just gained a powerful ally: the U.S. Constitution. On May 9, a federal judge in San Francisco signaled she’s...

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VA Workforce Cuts: 80,000 Jobs or More at Risk federal employment mindfulness at work ndas in government reduction in force va layoffs May 07, 2025

If you work at the Department of Veterans Affairs—or know someone who does—this week’s developments are hard to ignore. Secretary Doug Collins just confirmed in congressional testimony that the VA's 1...

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When a RIF Notice Arrives: How to Face Uncertainty with Clarity federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness reduction in force rif resources Apr 14, 2025

If you've recently received a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice, it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed. The fear of job instability, abrupt change, and unanswered questions can take a toll—not just...

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How to Stay Grounded and Take Smart Action When A RIF Hits career protection federal employee rights reduction in force retention register Apr 02, 2025

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 going through is deepl...

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Federal Employees: How to Protect Yourself Amid Potential Layoffs federal employment government layoffs job security reduction in force union rights Mar 20, 2025

This is not a drill. Federal agencies are moving quickly to implement Reductions in Force (RIFs)—and recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may strip your union’s ability to neg...

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Thousands of Probationary Federal Employees Terminated— Until A Judge's Ruling Halted It federal employment probationary federal employees reduction in force Mar 17, 2025

Last week, a federal judge issued a ruling that could have life-changing consequences for thousands of federal employees. The government attempted to terminate a large number of probationary employees...

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Federal RIFs: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself career protection federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force Feb 27, 2025

A major shift may be coming for federal employees. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have issued a new memo outlining a two-phase plan for workforc...

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How to Protect Yourself in a Federal RIF federal employment mindful federal employee reduction in force sf 50 guide veterans preference Feb 25, 2025

If you're a federal employee concerned about a Reduction in Force (RIF), preparation is key. The first step? Check your most recent SF 50—this document plays a significant role in determining your ret...

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Federal Employees: RIFs Are Coming—Here’s What You Need to Do Now federal employment federal job security mindfulness at work reduction in force sf-50 guide Feb 24, 2025

Federal agencies are actively preparing for workforce reductions following an executive order issued on February 11, 2025. While we don’t yet know exactly how each agency will implement these cuts, it...

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Protect Your Federal Career: Prepare for Potential RIFs Now federal employee rights federal employment job protection mindfulness at work reduction in force Feb 20, 2025

If you’re a federal employee with civil service protections, it’s time to pay attention. Reports indicate that reductions in force (RIFs) may be on the horizon. While probationary employees have alrea...

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