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Our online community now tops 150,000 federal workers and supporters across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Each briefing distills the day’s most consequential developments, adds clear-eyed legal analysis, and pairs it with mindfulness tools that keep you steady no matter how turbulent the news cycle becomes. If this newsletter helps you stay informed, please pass it on: https://fedlegalhelp.com/newsletter. Your advocacy broadens the protective circle for every federal employee.

Top Three News Stories:

1. Trump Creates “Schedule G,” a New Excepted-Service Category for Policy Roles

President Trump’s July 17 executive order establishes Schedule G for positions “primarily engaged in developing or advocating Administration policy.” Agencies must seek OPM approval—and give Congress advance notice—before converting any job. Like the short-lived Schedule F, the designation would remove competitive-service protections and make separations easier when an administration changes, though statutory protections against discrimination and whistle-blower retaliation still apply. FedScoop

Legal Insight: 

Employees offered conversion should examine the SF-50 and position description carefully; accepting the change means most MSPB appeals would no longer be available. Unions may negotiate over how conversions affect bargaining-unit positions, and inspectors general can review whether merit-system principles are respected.

2. OPM’s eRetire Portal Opens to All Agencies

OPM confirmed on July 17 that its Online Retirement Application, piloted last year, is now government-wide.  Employees can complete retirement forms electronically, upload supporting documents, and receive digital confirmation of their filing date.  OPM expects the paperless process to shorten average claim times, though initial users have reported occasional login glitches. Government Executive

Legal Insight:

Filing online does not waive the right to correct service history later, but retirees should save the confirmation receipt and verify that attachments (such as DD-214s and beneficiary forms) upload cleanly.  Agencies still must certify leave balances and salary history; errors at that stage can delay the start of full annuity payments.

3. Transportation Department Plans to Cut About 4,100 Positions, Including a Quarter of NHTSA’s Staff

DOT said it will rely on buyouts and, if necessary, a reduction-in-force to shrink its workforce, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration slated for the steepest percentage loss.  Lawmakers and safety advocates worry the downsizing could slow oversight of autonomous-vehicle investigations, while the department says essential functions will be preserved. Reuters

Legal Insight:

Any involuntary separations must follow the government-wide RIF rules, including proper retention registers, notice periods, and veterans’ preference.  Employees who accept buyouts should remember that a reemployment ban applies unless the incentive is repaid.  Unions can request data on how the cuts will affect workload and may negotiate over redistribution of duties.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Micro-Nature Break      

If you can’t step outside, look at a tree, a plant, or even a picture of nature for one minute. Track its colors or patterns with curiosity. Research in environmental psychology shows that even small doses of ‘soft fascination’—like a view of nature—reduces fatigue and restores attention. You don’t need a forest; just 60 seconds and an open mind.