Brought to you by Southworth PC—Attorneys for Federal Employees

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. FDA Glitch Marked 7,000 Employees as Furloughed, Causing Some Exempt Staff to Miss Pay

FDA said a payroll/timekeeping glitch mistakenly flagged more than 7,000 shutdown-exempt employees as furloughed, leading some to receive partial or missing pay. Internal emails described how staff should re-enter hours and how the agency will issue supplemental payments for those underpaid. HHS noted most FDA employees are “exempt” and normally paid from carryover funds during a lapse. For federal employees, this means check your timecard immediately, fix any errors in writing, and keep copies of all pay notices and submissions in case back pay or supplemental pay is needed. Union reps said the agency is working to correct the issue ASAP. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:

Document every pay error (screenshots, emails, timecards) and report it through your agency’s official channel; follow up in writing if the fix slips. If you’re marked AWOL due to a system error, respond promptly and ask to correct the record. Keep accurate time-and-attendance records to support FLSA/back-pay claims. If pay problems persist or you face discipline tied to the glitch, speak with your union and consider consulting counsel.

2. Lawmakers Decry Shutdown Layoffs and the Trump Administration’s Lack of Communication About Them

House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats urged OMB to reverse shutdown-era RIFs at HHS and Education and criticized agencies for sparse information on who was cut. The letter flags erroneous CDC terminations that were later rescinded and raises concern about impacts on programs like LIHEAP and CSBG. The story also notes a federal judge has temporarily blocked many shutdown layoffs and highlights a possible Hatch Act issue in an Education auto-reply. For federal employees, this means watch for rescissions or status changes and verify whether your notice is covered by the TRO; keep every notice and email. Government Executive

Legal Insight: 

If you received a RIF notice, request your retention data (tenure, veterans’ preference, performance ratings) and ask in writing whether the TRO pauses your timelines. Preserve all documents; errors can change outcomes. If directions conflict (e.g., “report” vs. “stayed”), escalate in writing through HR and your union. Where your rights are unclear or deadlines are near, consider consulting counsel.

3. CBP Expands Facial Recognition for Non-Citizens at Borders

A DHS final rule authorizes CBP to require biometric collection (including facial comparison) from all non-citizens upon exit, expanding pilots already used at dozens of airports. U.S. citizens may opt out; DHS says photos of citizens are retained briefly while non-citizen images are stored in DHS systems. The rule takes effect December 26, 2025, and aims to improve identity checks and detect overstays. For federal employees, this means CBP, DHS IT, and partner agency staff should prepare for training, system updates, signage/opt-out procedures, and reporting to comply with the new rule by the effective date. Nextgov

Legal Insight:  

Emergency or not, new rules must be implemented as written; follow your component’s written instructions on configuration, data handling, and exceptions. Document training and any operational impacts while meeting deadlines. If you handle privacy or records, ensure retention and opt-out notices match the rule. When scope or exceptions are unclear, escalate quickly—compliance failures can trigger oversight.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Sensory Corridor Walk  

Between conference rooms—or simply between desk and coffee machine—choose one sense to foreground. If it’s hearing, notice layers: the hum of HVAC, distant printers, your own footsteps. By allowing attention to stay tethered to raw sensory data, you train the mind to drop speculative story-lines (“Will IT ever fix that ticket?”). Heart-rate-variability studies link these 30-second sensory immersions to quicker recovery from adrenaline spikes, giving you a physiological cushion when the next sudden deadline lands.