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.

 
Why Merit Systems—and Giving Back—Still Matter federal employment merit system mindfulness at work public service workplace fairness Dec 18, 2025

For many federal employees, the idea of a “merit system” can feel abstract—something discussed in regulations or performance plans. But for those who grew up without safety nets, merit is not a theory...

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When Agencies Cap “5s”: The Hidden Risks of Forced Performance Ratings federal employment mindfulness at work mspb appeals performance ratings workplace fairness Dec 16, 2025

For many federal employees, a performance year ends with a quiet shock: strong feedback all year, solid results, and then a rating capped at a “3” because the office “can’t give too many 5s.” That fee...

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The Risk of Ending Progressive Discipline in Federal Employment federal employment mspb appeals opm rules progressive discipline workplace fairness Sep 08, 2025

For decades, the federal workplace has recognized that mistakes happen and that growth is part of the process. Progressive discipline reflects this truth: employees receive coaching, warnings, or susp...

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TSA Union Protections Revoked: What It Means for Federal Employees federal employee rights mindful federal employee tsa workers union protections workplace fairness Mar 10, 2025

A major decision has just shaken the federal workforce: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked union protections for TSA screeners. This means no more collective bargaining and fewer wo...

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THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BRIEFING

Your Trusted Guide in Uncertain Times

Stay informed, stay protected. The Federal Employee Briefing delivers expert insights on workforce policies, legal battles, RTO mandates, and union updates—so you’re never caught off guard. With job security, telework, and agency shifts constantly evolving, we provide clear, concise analysis on what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do next.

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