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.

 
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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What the McMahon v. New York Ruling Means for Federal Layoffs federal employment mcmahon v. new york mindfulness at work reduction in force supreme court shadow docket Jul 16, 2025

Federal employees, especially those affected by recent RIFs at the Department of Education, are right to feel unsettled. In McMahon v. New York, the Supreme Court issued a brief, unsigned “Shadow Dock...

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What the State Department, Education, and HHS RIFs Mean for Federal Employees federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals reduction in force supreme court shadow docket Jul 15, 2025

The July 11 layoff notices at the U.S. State Department sent shockwaves through the federal workforce. More than 1,350 employees—civil service and Foreign Service alike—were told their positions are b...

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State Department RIFs: Key Steps for Federal Employees eopf audit federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force state department rif Jul 11, 2025

The State Department has confirmed reductions in force (RIFs) targeting roughly 3,400 positions, with around 2,000 notices expected to arrive imminently—possibly today. Roles tied to passports, visas,...

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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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No Department-Wide RIF at VA – But Don’t Let Your Guard Down federal employee rights federal employment mindfulness at work reduction in force va rif Jul 07, 2025

VA Secretary Doug Collins announced that a department-wide reduction in force (RIF) is officially “off the table.” For many federal employees, this lifts the heavy fear of 70,000–80,000 rumored cuts t...

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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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