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. Shutdown Talk Heats Up as Democrats Insist on Stopping Health Care Cuts

Congressional leaders from both parties traded hard lines as the Sept. 30 deadline nears, increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown. House GOP leaders are weighing a short‑term continuing resolution potentially running to around Nov. 20 and adding security money, while Democrats are pushing to extend enhanced ACA subsidies as part of any deal. For federal employees, this means agencies may activate shutdown plans in the coming days—confirm whether your position is excepted or furloughed and watch for written instructions from your component. Federal News Network

Legal Insight: 

If a shutdown occurs, you cannot volunteer to work if you are furloughed; wait for a written recall. Keep copies of any furlough notice and record your hours accurately if you are excepted. Verify timekeeping, telework status, and travel‑card rules in your agency’s contingency plan. Contact your union or an attorney if you receive conflicting directions, are told to work off the clock, or face discipline during a furlough.

2. Lawmakers Press OPM on ‘Critical’ Staffing and Funding Risks in Postal Insurance Program Ahead of Open Season

Key committee Democrats warned OPM that shortages in IT staffing and funding for the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) data platform could jeopardize operations, citing an OPM OIG flash report. OPM said it is “appropriately staffed and resourced,” but lawmakers requested details and contingency plans with Open Season approaching (Nov. 10–Dec. 8 for the 2026 plan year). For affected postal employees and annuitants—and for agencies that rely on the same platform—this flags potential enrollment slowdowns and the need to verify records and plan alternatives if the portal struggles. Federal News Network

Legal Insight:  

During Open Season, keep screenshots or PDFs of every step of your enrollment and confirmation pages. If the system glitches, contact your agency benefits office immediately and submit changes in writing (email or paper forms) before the deadline. Check addresses, dependents, and Medicare coordination to avoid coverage gaps on Jan. 1. Seek help from your union or an attorney if missed enrollment windows were caused by documented system outages or agency error.

3. Judge: OPM’s Mass Probationary‑Firing Directive was Unlawful; Agencies Must Fix Records by Nov. 14

A federal judge ruled OPM unlawfully directed agencies to terminate roughly 25,000 probationary employees earlier this year. While the court did not order reinstatement, it required agencies to correct personnel files and send standardized letters to impacted workers by November 14 stating the separations were not performance‑based. For current and former employees touched by the action, the ruling affects how separations are recorded and may influence rehiring, references, and suitability checks. Government Executive

Legal Insight:

If you were affected, request and review your eOPF and SF‑50s to confirm the agency makes the ordered corrections. Save the correction letter and use it with future applications or investigations. If your records aren’t fixed by the deadline—or you suspect discrimination or retaliation tied to your firing—consult your union or an attorney promptly to preserve appeal or EEO timelines. Keep all correspondence and note dates.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

Printer-Queue Mindfulness     

While waiting for case files or briefing packets to print, tune into the sound and vibration of the machine. With each page drop, take a slow, full breath. This tiny pause downregulates the stress response that can build during deadline-heavy days. By the time you pick up your stack, you’ll be steadier and better able to process dense information.