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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. OPM Memo Pushes Tougher Performance Ratings and Faster Removals

On June 17, OPM released a government-wide memo telling agencies to “ensure a disproportionate number of employees do not receive the highest rating” and to update policies so poor performers can be “swiftly removed, reduced in grade, or reassigned.” The guidance expands earlier SES reforms to nearly the entire civil service and sets an implementation deadline of October 1, 2026. Agencies must file a progress report with OPM by July 31 and are encouraged to shorten performance-improvement periods. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:

Federal appraisal law requires ratings to reflect actual performance, and OPM’s own rule at 5 C.F.R. 430.208(c) forbids a forced distribution, so any agency that adopts “forced distribution” risks reversal at the Merit Systems Protection Board. Before changing appraisal or discipline procedures, many times management must bargain over impact and implementation with unions under 5 U.S.C. § 7106(b)(2)–(3). Performance-based removals still require 30-day advance notice and an opportunity to improve; probationers have fewer rights, but removals may still be challenged on whistle-blower or discrimination grounds. Supervisors should document standards carefully—defensible ratings are now more important than ever.

2. Deep Staffing Cuts Leave Climate-and-Energy Agencies “Set Up for Failure”

A Politico investigation published June 17 quotes employees at EPA, DOE, FEMA, NOAA and Interior who say DOGE-driven buyouts and firing freezes have halted research, travel and even disaster-planning drills. EPA has lost eight percent of its workforce, DOE more than 3,500 staff, and NOAA over 1,000 employees; routine purchases now require high-level sign-off, and scientists cannot publish studies needed to defend rulemakings. The White House insists core missions are intact, blaming injunctions for delays. Politico

Legal Insight:

Agencies that accept appropriated funds for statutory programs must execute those programs or seek a reprogramming OK from Congress; prolonged inability to spend money because positions are unfilled can trigger Antideficiency Act exposure. Employees facing mission shutdowns may file whistle-blower disclosures if public health or safety is at risk. If travel and procurement freezes impede grants or contracts, affected parties could sue under the Administrative Procedure Act, and career officials should retain emails showing who imposed the freeze and why. Expect GAO and inspectors general to audit whether DOGE cutbacks violate “purpose” or “time” limits in appropriations law.

3. CDC Reverses Course, Reinstates One-Third of Employees Fired in April RIF

At an all-hands meeting yesterday, CDC leaders told staff the agency has rehired about 800 of the 2,400 employees it laid off on April 1 and lifted a communications freeze that had hampered external collaboration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the latest HHS component to walk back terminations; NIH and the department’s acquisition office have already reinstated hundreds. HHS shed roughly 25 percent of its workforce in April through RIFs, early-outs and deferred resignations. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:

Employees who are recalled may be entitled to full back pay, service credit and restored leave under 5 U.S.C. § 5596; the agency may not reset your probationary clock or lower your grade without consent. Each returning employee should receive an SF-50 canceling the separation and a second SF-50 showing the reinstatement; discrepancies can be grieved or appealed to MSPB. Those still separated should note that CDC’s reversal arguably weakens the government’s claim of “irreparable harm” in Supreme Court stay proceedings on the nationwide RIF injunction. Keep every notice, email and pay stub—documentation will determine who qualifies for make-whole relief when litigation ends.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Self-Compassion After Performance Reviews   

Even a solid “Meets Expectations” can sting when you’ve poured twelve-hour days into case prep. The moment the discussion ends, place a hand over your sternum, breathe in to the phrase “data,” breathe out to “growth,” repeating for four cycles. Psychologist Kristin Neff’s research shows this somatic self-kindness lowers cortisol and restores executive-function speed within minutes—crucial when you must draft rebuttals or set new KPIs the same afternoon. By framing feedback as information, not indictment, you sidestep rumination, preserve professional relationships, and pivot faster toward the improvements that will headline next year’s appraisal.