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. Unions Sue to Block Threatened Shutdown RIFs

AFGE and AFSCME filed a lawsuit arguing the administration cannot use a shutdown to justify mass reductions in force and that RIF work cannot be treated as “excepted” during a lapse. The complaint says longstanding law requires furloughed or excepted employees to receive back pay once funding resumes and that RIFs must follow normal statutory procedures. Only one agency had moved toward RIFs by Thursday afternoon, amid threats of broader layoffs. For federal employees, this means any layoff still must follow RIF rules—notice periods, competition, and appeal rights—and a shutdown alone does not erase those protections. Government Executive

Legal Insight:

A shutdown furlough is temporary; a RIF is permanent and usually requires written notice (often 60 days), competitive-area determinations, bump/retreat where applicable, and MSPB appeal rights for most Title 5 employees. If you receive ambiguous instructions to separate, ask for written authority and keep copies of everything. Do not perform work if furloughed; if you’re told to do so, request correction in writing. If you get a RIF notice, calendar all deadlines and consider contacting your union or an attorney.

2. Furloughed Feds May Need Unemployment Help They Never Expected to Use

Federal News Network’s interview with unemployment expert Michele Evermore explains how furloughed employees can file for state unemployment insurance, why federal workers’ claims can take longer, and how back pay triggers later repayment. It stresses applying immediately and keeping pay stubs, SF-8/SF-50s, and weekly certifications organized to avoid delays and overpayments. The piece notes most states have a waiting week and that benefit amounts may be modest. For federal employees, this means if you are furloughed you should file with your duty-station state right away, keep meticulous records, and expect to repay UI once back pay arrives. Federal News Network

Legal Insight: 

UI is state-run, so eligibility, waiting weeks, and documentation vary; read your state’s instructions carefully and report any earnings or back-pay promptly to avoid penalties. Keep copies of furlough notices, timesheets, and certification logs. If you are excepted and working, you generally cannot claim UI for those weeks. If an overpayment notice comes, respond by the stated deadline and consider seeking legal advice.

3. Hegseth, Vought Actions Heighten Fears About Continued Inspector General Independence

Nextgov/FCW reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled changes to DoD IG processes as OMB withheld apportionment for the IG council (CIGIE), prompting bipartisan concern about oversight and whistleblower protections. Advocates warned that defunding CIGIE disrupts training, hotlines, and Oversight.gov, while a congressional letter urged OMB to reverse course. The article places these moves in the broader context of watchdog independence during a shutdown. For federal employees, this means some external IG resources or portals may be unavailable or slower, so use internal IG contacts, document attempts to report concerns, and preserve any statutory reporting deadlines.  Nextgov

Legal Insight:  

Whistleblowing is protected, but you should submit disclosures through official channels and keep a record of dates, times, and recipients. If a usual portal is down, call or email the IG office using published hotline numbers and note the outage. Do not transmit sensitive information over unofficial platforms. If you fear retaliation or have time-sensitive reporting duties, seek guidance from your union or an attorney; you can also reference congressional oversight letters as context.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Conflict Email Delay Rule

If an email sparks anger, draft your response, but don’t send it. Step away for two minutes, focusing only on physical sensations—feet on floor, hands on desk, breath moving in and out. This pause quiets the amygdala and restores the logic centers of the brain. When you return, your edits will likely shift from combative to constructive.